Kollur Mookambika Temple – Temple of Knowledge and Wisdom
The famous Sri Mookambika temple is located in Kollur, in the Udupi district of Karnataka. The Goddess Mookambika is an avatar of the Goddess Parvati, who is believed to have descended to Earth to annihilate the demon Kaumasura. The Kollur Mookambika temple has a high spiritual value and receives millions of pilgrims every year. The temple is one of the seven places of Mukti Sthalas in Karnataka.
The deity presiding over Goddess Mookambika is venerated here in a unique form of self-esteem. The idol of the Goddess is believed to have been installed by Sri Adi Shankara. Sri Mookambika is believed to be itself the symbol of all gods and therefore worshipping her is equivalent to worshipping all gods. Pilgrims from all over the country, especially from the southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu. Kerala and Andhra Pradesh often visit temples to obtain the blessings of the Goddess. The temple is known as the “Temple of Knowledge and wisdom”. The goddess Mookambika is worshipped here as the Shakti Devatha.
The architecture of the Kollur Mookambika temple is unique and belongs to the period of the Keladi kingdom. The temple consists of a Sanctum or the Garbhagriha , a hall and Lakshmi mandapam. Santanam has a quadrilateral shape, with Vimana Gopuram. The Sanctum tower is covered in gold. In addition to the main pilgrimage, several other temples dedicated to the god of Subramanya, Dashabhuja Ganapathi, Anjani, Chandramouleshwar, and Gopalakrishna. Behind the Swayambhu Linga of the Goddess Mookambika, a statue of the Goddess is placed. The Goddess Mookambika idol has three eyes and four arms. She has Sri Chakra in one hand and a conch in the other.
History and Legend
Documented evidence of the Kollur Mookambika temple dates back 1,200 years. It is believed that the first temple was built by the great Parasurama. The linga is believed to have been worshipped since the era of the sage Kola Maharishi and the idol of the goddess was installed by Sri Adi Shankara.
King Halugulla Veera Sangayya built stone walls inside the Kollur Mookambika temple and built many of the current structures under the queen’s orders. Date Many people have contributed to the development of the temple. The legendary queen Chennamma gifted the goddess with precious emerald decorations, which she still has today. King Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire introduced a gold mask that remains as a temple treasure. King Chennamji presented a golden face to Lingam. Afternoon Tamil Nadu CM MG Ramachandran presented the silver sword to the goddess.
The legend of the origin of the Kollur Mookambika temple and the importance of the Kollur region is found in Skanda Puranam. The legend begins with tapas or the penance of the wise Kola Maharishi. At the same time, another demon named Kaumsura was doing Lord Shiva’s penance. He wanted immortality and great power as a blessing from Lord Shiva. The gods knew that if he achieved his blessing, a reign of terror would begin on Earth. Therefore, when Lord Shiva appeared to him, the Goddess Parvati made him fool or strike. As a result, she was unable to ask for a blessing and became known as Mookasura. This incident infuriated him and he began to interrupt Kolah Maharishi’s penance. The sage requested the help of the goddess to destroy the demon. She appeared in unified form in the powers of Trimurti, as well as other goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati. She killed Mukasura, and thus the goddess became known as Mookambika. At Kola Maharishi’s request, she classified her divine unified form
As per one legend associated with Sri Adi Shankaracharya, one day he was unable to
stand up after his meditation. It is believed that Goddess Mookambika himself prepared a
medicine for him with a combination of herbs taken from the Kodachadri hills nearby. Sri
Adi Shankaracharya recovered and eventually introduced the custom of preparing the
Kashayam Theertham for the visiting pilgrims so that they attain good health.
The mythology associated with River Sowparnika, the perennial river that flows beside the
Kollur Mookambika Temple is also worth learning. It is believed that a Garuda named
Suparna prayed on the banks of the river to relieve his mother of all the sufferings and bad
luck. The Kollur Mookambika Devi appeared before him and granted his wishes. The River
was named after the Garuda as the Sowparnika. This river contains rich extracts of herbals
as it passes through the Kodachadri hills
Where to Eat:
The Kollur Mookambika Temple administration provides free meals in the Temple premises at 12.00pm and at 08.00pm to all pilgrims. Besides that, a number of small vegetarian restaurants are available outside the Temple Complex. The cuisine is mostly South Indian.
Where to Stay:
The Kollur Mookambika Temple administration has few Guest Houses which provide a wide range of rooms that can be booked as per the devotees’ needs. A large number of Hotels and guest houses provide a comfortable stay at nominal rates.
Nearby Temples:
Maranakatte Sri Brahma Lingeshwara Temple
Kumbhashi Sri Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Annegude
Byndoor Seneshvara Temple
Bagvadi Mahisamardini Temple
Saukuru Durgaparameshwari
The Kodachadri Mountain Range
How To Reach Kollur Mookambika Temple
Mookambika kollur is near to west coast road (NH 17) and 75km away from Udupi.
- Distance: Mangaluru – 128km, Udupi – 75km, Gokarna – 135km, Shivamogga – 128km
- Airport: Mangalore
- Bus Station: Mookambika Kollur
- Railway Station: Byndoor Mookambika Road – 30km, Udupi
- Transport: Kollur town is well connected by road. Buses run frequently from Udupi and Gokarna
