Kollur Mookambika Temple

About:

Perched in the valley of great Kodachadri Peak at the foot of the Western Ghats, Mookambika Temple is situated on the banks of ever running River Sauparnika. The temple is at a distance of 130 Km from Mangalore and is in a place called Kollur. Mookambika temple is among the seven most sacred temples in Karnataka called Seven Muktishala Pilgrim sites. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mookambika. Inside the Sanctum Sanctorum, there is an old Jyotirlinga which is kept in front of the image of Goddess Mookambika. It is said that the metal image of the goddess was installed here by the great Hindu religious leader Sri Adi Shankara. It is also believed that he performed penance here. The temple has gold plated crest and roofs covered with copper tiles. The temple is visited by pilgrims from all over the world.

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History of Kollur Temples:

Kola Maharshi found a swayambu linga (Shiva Linga, appeared on its own) and was offering ablutions and was worshipping it regularly. Kola Maharshi who was doing penance here, was disturbed by a demon, Kamasura.

Kamasura, learned from his guru sukracharya that his death is at the hands of a woman and performed rigorous penance to please Lord Shiva and get the boon of immortality. All gods learned that, Kamasura will become all powerful and no one can stop his misdeeds, if he gets this boon. All gods prays vagdevi not to grant his wish.

When Lord Shiva, appeared before Kamasura and asks him to name the boon that he wishes. Vagdevi, the Goddess of speech makes him dumb so that the boon could not be asked. Thus Kamasura became Mookasura (Mooka means dumb).

On the request of Kola Maharshi, the goddess creates a mystical power by bringing together the individual powers of all the gods who had assembled and wages a war on Mookasura.

Devi then killed Mookasura using her charka on the midnight of Jyesta Sukla Ashtami. The place where devi killed Mookasura is known as "Marana Katte". Since that day, the Goddess has resided at this holy place Kollur by the name Mookambika, fulfilling the wishes of all her devotees. After killing Mookasura, Devi is believed to have merged into this swayambu linga in this temple.

The main deity in the temple is the Jyothirlinga (Shiva linga). This Jyotirlinga in front of the idol of the Goddess Mookambika. A golden line divides this linga into two unequal parts and is visible only in the light of reflected sunlight pointed at the linga. The smaller right portion of this linga is said to represent Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva (as he conscious static principles) and larger left part Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Parvathi (as the creative energy principles)

Adi Shankaracharya, is said to have installed the metal image of the Goddess behind the Jyothirlinga. Godess Mookambika is in Padmasana posture holding Shanku and Chakra, and is showing Abhaya and Varada Mudras. On the either side of this are idols of Kali and Saraswathi. The roof of the temple is made of copper and is gold crested. Adi Shankaracharya is said to have composed his Soundharya Lahari when he was here.

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The Panchaloha image (five element mixed metal) of the Goddess on Shree Chakra is stated to have been sanctified by great religious scholar Adi Shankaracharya during his visit to this place. The temple has a gold plated crest and copper roofs.

Festivals at Kollur:
1. The main festival in the temple is the car festival, in the month of Phalguna (March-April).
2. Navarathri: Special Poojas are performed on all nine days. Vidyarambha (Starting education) to kids is done on Vijayadashami day.

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How to reach Kollur Temples?

Kollur is a 2 hour drive from Udupi. On the National High 17, after around 7 Km from Kundapur, at Hemmady one has to take right deviation to reach Kollur. The nearest railhead is at Udupi.

Reaching Kollur from Bangalore:
Kollur can be reached from Bangalore via Arsikere, Kadur, Bhadravathi, Shimoga, Hosanagar, Nagar and Nagodi

Reaching Kollur from Gokarna:
Kollur can be reached from Gokarna via Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal and Byndoor

Reaching Kollur from Kodachadri:

Kollur can be reached from Kodachadri via Gowrikere, Nittur and Nagodi

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Distances from Kollur:
1. Kundapur: 40 Kms
2. Udupi: 80 Kms
3. Murudeshwara: 55 Kms
4. Mangalore: 140 kms
5. Bangalore: 405 Kms (via Shimoga)
6. Sringeri: 115 Kms

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Kollur Temples Nearest Attraction

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