Moogambigai Amman Temple

Introduction to Moogambigai Amman Temple

The Moogambigai Amman Temple is an ancient temple located on the foothills of Kodachadri at Kollur, Udupi, Karnataka. It lies on the banks of River Souparnika. The temple's presiding deity is Moogambigai Amman, an incarnation of Mother Parvati. Adi Sankara praised her in his hymns. She is also called Thai Moogambigai. Another name of the temple is Kollur Mookambika Temple.

Legend of the Moogambigai Amman Temple

The legend of the temple is interesting. According to the legend, a demon named Kamsasura once performed severe penance toward Shiva for the boon of immortality. The Devas feared that if he received the boon, he would become uncontrollable and destroy the entire universe.

They prayed to Devi to stop him from getting the boon. So, Devi, along with Veerabhadra, Ganapati, and Shiva, rendered him dumb so that he could not ask for the boon. 'Mooka' means 'dumb' in Sanskrit. It was how Kamsasura became Mookasura.

Later, she killed Mookasura with her Chakra at midnight on Shukla Ashtami. Devi came to be called 'Kollur Devi Mookambika' from then. Her divine energy united with the Lingam here. The sage Kola Maharishi performed penance here, so the place became known as Kollur.

The Moogambigai Amman Temple's left side is larger, representing the consorts of the Trinity, Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati, the creative energy.

The Architecture of the Moogambigai Amman Temple

This 2000-year-old temple features a blend of Dravidian and Kerala architectural styles. King Halugulla Veera Sangayya constructed the stone walls of the temple. It is the only temple dedicated to Parvati and is believed to be created by Parashurama.

It faces the east direction. The main entrance leads to the gold-plated Dhwajsthambha (flagstaff). The sanctum is in a quadrangular shape with a Vimana.

The temple has Lakshmi Mandap, and Saraswati Mandap. The Lakshmi Mandap's pillars have beautifully carved images of various deities. The Moogambigai Amman Temple has a 135-feet long Mandap adorned with beautiful carvings of Hindu deities.

The main deity of the Moogambigai Amman Temple is a swayambhu Jyotirlinga, incorporating both Shiva and Shakthi, with a golden line cutting it into half. Its right half represents the Trimurtis, and the left half represents the Tridevis. Adi Sankara installed a three-eyed, four-armed Panchaloha idol of Moogambigai with a divine disc and conch in her hands behind the Jyotirlinga. On either side of the Moogambigai idol are idols of Parvati and Saraswati. The temple's gold-plated crest and copper roofs attract lakhs of devotees.

The shrines of Panchamukha Ganapathi, Subramanya, Chandramouleeswara, Pranalingeswara, Nanjundeswara, Tulsi Krishna, Veerabhadra, Partheswara, Sri Anjaneya, and Vishnu are in the Prakaram. According to tradition, visitors should worship them first before praying to Moogambigai Amman. The Moogambigai Amman Temple organizes Annadaanam twice a day.

It is said that Adi Sankara authored his Soundaryalahari at the Moogambigai Amman Temple. He dedicated the 98th verse of the series to Moogambigai.

Agni, Kasi, Shukla, Madhu, Govinda, Agasthya, and Archana Gundu are the temple's sacred theertham (ponds).

Though the Moogambigai Amman Temple is located in Karnataka, most devotees come from the neighboring state, Kerala.

Festivals in the Moogambigai Amman Temple

• Navaratri is celebrated in the Moogambigai Amman Temple grandly. There are special decorations and Pooja on all nine days. Saraswati comes in procession on Saraswati Pooja day.
• The temple celebrates the float festival with great pomp on the Moolam star day, preceded by flag hoisting on Panguni Uthiram day in March-April.
• Ashwagandha Brahmakalashotsava, Ugadi, and Diwali are also occasions for grand celebrations here.

Benefits of Worshipping at Moogambigai Amman Temple

As a thanksgiving custom, devotees perform special Poojas to Moogambigai Amman. They also offer vastras to her in the Moogambigai Amman Temple.