Kollur Mookambika Temple

The temple is located in the valley of Kodachadri Mountain Peak on the banks of the Souparnika River. Kollur is regarded as one of the Seven Mukti Stalas created by Parashurama and the other places are Udupi, Subrahmanya, Kumbhashi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana, and Gokarna. It is a famous site of pilgrimage in Karnataka and one of the top places to visit near Murudeshwar.

This temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi. According to Legend, Goddess Parvathi killed a demon called Kamsasuran who lived here and attempted to become powerful through his penance. Devi along with the help of Veerabadra, Ganesha, and Shiva initially made him dumb and he came to be called Mookasuran (Mooka means dumb). Later the goddess killed him with her Chakra and called Mookambika thereafter. The place where Devi killed Mookasura is known as Marana Katte.

The Panchaloha (five metals) image of the Goddess Mookambika is stated to have been consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya during his visit to this place. Devi Mookambika has three eyes and four arms, with chakra and conch in her hands sitting in the padmasana posture. Mookambika is regarded as a manifestation of Shakti, Saraswathi, and Mahalakshmi. Lord Shiva is also worshipped in this temple in the form of Lingam.

History of Kollur Mookambika Temple

There are many beliefs regarding the origin of the temple. It is believed that the shrine of Mookambika Devi was installed by Adi Shankara. He worshiped Goddess Saraswati intensely, as a response to his dedication goddess appeared before Adi Shankara and agreed to go with him to Kerala.

Goddess agreed to accompany him upon one condition that Adi Shankara who leads the way should not turn back to check whether she is following him. If he looked back and checked her, Goddess would stop there and will not move further.

On the way, when Shankara could not feel the presence of Goddess Saraswati, he looked back and assured her presence. Goddess Saraswati stopped her journey and stayed at that place as per her promise. After repeated begging and pleading of Shankara, the Goddess agreed to be at the Chottanikkara Temple in the mornings and come back to Mookambika Devi Temple by noon.

Kodachadri Hill houses places such as Chitramoolam and Ambavanam where Adi Shankara is believed to have meditated. Ancient Hindu Kings were patrons of the temple and the temple houses valuable treasures that are reminiscent of rich past.

This was the state temple for the Nagara or Bednore Rajas and many jewels now adorning the idol are said to have been presented by them and by their overlords of Vijayanagara. During the Mahratta raids in this district in the 18th century, these freebooters are believed to have carried away gold, silver, and gems worth crores of rupees.

Architecture of Kollur Mookambika Temple

The architecture of the Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple Temple belongs to the Keladi period. Recently the Temple was renovated. 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 the local king centuries ago. Around the sanctum sanctorum of goddess Devi, we can see the retinue deities like Subrahmanya, Dashabhuja Ganapathi, Anjaneya, Chandramouleeshwara, and Gopalakrishna. The statue of Mookambike is very attractive and has four arms The upper two arms are holding Shankha and Chakra and the palms of the lower two arms.