History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Mookambika Temple, Kollur, Karnataka, India
The Mookambika Temple, located in Kollur, at the foothills of Kodachadri hills, the lush green forest, on the southern bank of Souparnika River in Udupi district in Karnataka is highly important pilgrimage site. Mookambika Temple, Kollur is one of the seven most sacred place of Salvation. The temple is dedicated to Mookambika Devi, the form of Goddess Parvati or Shakti. The Goddess Mookambika here is in the form of Swayabhu Jyotirlinga which indicates both Shakti and Shiva. It is said that demon Mookasura was killed here by Adi Shakti during 28th Dwapara Yuga of the present manvantara on request of Sage Kola Maharishi who was doing penance here. After this, in this region, goddess came to be known as Mookambika. Maharishi Kola had requested Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti to stay here forever.
As per the ancient texts, it is believed that from thousands of year, worship of Ma Devi Mookambika observed here. Importance of the Kollur Kshethram is mentioned in the Skanda Puranam and from Kola Maharshi it named as Kolapura. The architecture of the Kollur Temple belongs to the Keladi period but renovated several time during several rule. The Sanctum Sanctorum which is in a Quadrangular shape has a tower known as Vimana Gopura which is in the Dravidian Architecture. The tower of the sanctum sanctorum is covered by gold donated by local king centuries ago.
There are several legend associated with Mookambika temple, one of the important and popular one is associated with Jagadguru Adi Shankara. He did penance of Goddess Saraswati, on seeing dedication, goddess appeared before Adi Shankara and agreed to go with him to Kerala on one condition, that Adi Shankara should not turn back to check whether goddess is following or not. If he looked back then Goddess would stop there and will not move further. On the way at Kollur, Shankara could not feel the presence of Goddess Saraswati, he looked back and assured her presence. Goddess Saraswati stopped her journey and stayed here as per her promise.
Worship of Sarvewshwara in the form of mother is a peculiarity of India. It is believed that Mookambika blesses us like our mother. Mookambika is worshiped as a form of power of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. The Mahakali destroys our aura of pride. Mahalakshmi brings wealth out of poverty. Mahasaraswati blesses us to climb the stairs of Vidya and gives us self-realization. Mother is carrying us through these obligations that are essential to our success in life. Mother shows us the true state of life and gives us the immortal, sheltered self-realization. The original idol of Mookambika is Swayambhu Jyotirlinga. The Jyotirlinga is a part of a huge Sri Chakra which extends from Gokarna to Kanyakumari. There is a golden line in the Jyotirlinga. The small part on the right represents Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The greater part of the left represents Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. There is no other temple in India in which the ‘Trimurti’ and the ‘Tridevi’ are on the same Jyotirlinga. The idol of Mookambika is behind the Jyotirlinga. The idol is decorated with gold chains, gems and silk scarves.
It is believed that idol was erected by Jagadguru Adi Shankara. The Sanctum is built of Krishna rock. It is a mixture of blue, green and black colors. There are sculptures also on it. The temple sanctum has a gold shield. The tower has three ridges. In addition to the main dome, there are four smaller domes. It has carvings of gods and goddesses. Inside the temple, in the south direction there is an idol of Dasamukha Ganapathi. The Shankarapeedham is located behind the shrine. It is said that Sri Shankaracharya performed the penance and manifested Devi. The golden flag and the lampstand are very special which are in the courtyard of the temple. The lampstand is established on a statue of Turtle. Below the pillar there is a statue of an Elephant and a Ganapati. The flag pillar has many unique features. The pillar is square and circular. The pillar is initially rectangular and after that circular in shape. Image of the goddess is engraved on the flagstone.
The Saraswati mandapam at the Mookambika temple is a venue for art and knowledge. Here the artist submits or Arpan their talents to the goddess. It is the place where the ‘Vidya Arambham’ is held to impart the first letter of knowledge to the children. On the west side of the temple, there are the idols of Prana Lingeshwara, Partheeswaran, Panchamukhi Ganpati, Chandramuleshwara and Nanjukundeswaran. On the north side there are statues of Anjaneya and Venkitramana. On the right side of the temple there is Veerabhadra Swamy Temple. The golden chariot of the Mookambika Temple is very special. The chariot is 106 feet high and 6 feet wide. This chariot is made of teak and covered with gold. It is the chariot in which the goddess ascends on special days. Pujas are conducted according to the rules fixed by the Adi Shankaracharya. Five pujas are performed daily. Ranga puja is one of the special pujas held in the temple. The ritual is performed by making Vadas, Dosa and Appam and offering them to Bhagavathy. Kashaya Theertham is one of the most special in Mookambika. It is made with peppermint, ginger, flakes and many other herbs. It is said that it will cure the illness. When the Adi Shankaracharya fell ill while doing penance to the Goddess, then Mookambika appeared in the form of the little girl and gave him this Kashaya Theertham and his illness was gone. The food is distributed to all the devotees who come to worship the goddess. The river called Souparnika is located near to the temple. Temple is always in a festive mood. The two main festivals Navratri and the yearly festival are celebrated very well.
Temple trust manages the free lunch and dinner in form of Prasadam, and several guest house to accommodate devotee here.
How to Reach Mookambika temple, Kollur, One of important pilgrimage destination, Karnataka, India
As Kollur is one of the important pilgrimage destination near Udupi in state of Karnataka and home to Mookambika Temple. Thus, it is easily reachable via road, rail and air network. Nearest major railway station from Kollur is in Byndorr at 26 km and Kundapura at 38 km from where you can get train to all major station of India. You can get government and private vehicle from nearby cities to reach here by road. You can reach here via air connectivity easily as Mangalore airport is at just 105 km from Kollur. Kollur is located at 38 km from Kundapura, 28 km from byndoor, 125 km from Mangalore, 75 km from Udupi, and 426 km from Bangalore.
