Mookambika Devi Temple, Kollur

Introduction about the Mookambika Devi Temple

Mookambika Devi Temple is located in Kollur, about 80 km from Udupi and 135 Kms from Mangalore. This pilgrimage site is built in the valley of Kodachadri peak.

The temple resides Mookambika Devi, who is an avatar of Goddess Parvati. Here the Goddess remains in the form of a Jyotir-Linga, and hence it represents both Shiva and Parvati. In the Linga forms, the smaller half of the lings cover Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma; in the bigger half of the lingas, Durga, Saraswathi, and Lakshmi reside. People also come here to take a holy dip in the waters of Kodachadri hills.

History And Significance Of Mookambika Devi Temple

Many legends are there that define the origin of the temple. A legend says that Adi Shankara installed the main shrine. He performed penances and worshipped the Goddess that the Goddess appeared in front of him. Adi Shankara then asked the Goddess to come with him to Kerala, and the Goddess agreed.

However, Goddess also put one condition: Adi Shankara should not look back to see if the Goddess is still following him. If he looked back to check, Goddess would stop there, which will be her stoppage.

Shankara agreed, and they started walking toward Kerala. However, in the way, he could not feel the Goddess's presence, so he became tempted to look back. The moment Shankara looked back, the Goddess stopped her journey as per her condition and did not move forward. Shankara begged and pleaded to the Goddess, upon which she agreed that she could reside in the Chottanikkara Temple in the mornings and return to Mookambika Devi Temple by noon.

There are places on Kodachadri Hill, such as Chitramoolam and Ambavanam; these places are believed to be the ones where Adi Shankara meditated. The temple then received many improvements from the ancient kings and rulers who used to worship in the temple.

Nagara or Bednore Rajas donated many ornaments to the deities that still adorn the idols. In the 18th century, however, Mahratta raids happened in the district, and some thieves took away a large amount of gold, silver, and gems.

There is also a legend that tells how the temple was called Mookambika. In the olden days, there was a saint named Kola Maharshi who was performing penance in Kollur. However, a demon arrived there, troubling the saint in his penance. The Goddess Adhi Prashakthi then appeared before the demon and killed him. Since the demon's name was Mookasura and the Goddess killed him, she was called Mookambika.

Goddess Mookambika is popular in Karnataka and Kerala regions, and the locals consider her significant. People of Kerala worship Goddess Mookambika as Saraswathi; they also visit Kollur often to pay their respect. Many visit the Mookambika Temple on Vijaya Dasami day to teach their babies the alphabet, which holds a particular significance.

Information About Mookambika Devi Temple

Opening Timing: 5:00 AM – 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Visit Duration: 1 Hour

Website: kollurmookambika.co.in/tm

Address: Kollur, Kundapur Taluk, Udupi District – 576220 (MAP)