The state of Karnataka in India boasts of seven prominent 'Mukti Sthalas' (places of spiritual redemption) i.e Kollur, Udupi, Subrahmanya, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sandaranarayana and Gokarna. The Temple town of Kollur is famous for the sanctifying temple of Goddess Mookambika, an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. The town of Kollur is at about 135 km from Mangalore, 120 km from Shimago and 80km from Udupi in the state of Karnataka. The Goddess Mookambika is said to be the aspect of the Universal Mother (Goddess Parvathi) and a manifestation of Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Shakti. The Goddess here is praised for her unmatched benevolence and as the One who fulfills the desires of sincere devotees!
The Mookambika temple nestles in the lush valley of Kodachadri peak of the Western Ghats, on the banks of a tributary of the holy Sauparnika River. The sanctum of the temple has a Swayambhu (self-manifest) Jyothirlinga and a Panchaloha image of Goddess Mookambika, consecrated by Sri Adi Sankara meditated on the Kodachadri hill and in response to his prayers, the Goddess manifested Herself and offered to fulfill his desire. The seer Adi Sankara said that the wanted to install an idol of the Goddess in Kerela for daily worship. The Goddess agreed but on the condition that She would follow him to his destination, but the Sage should never once look back. Adi Sankara accepted the proposal and started to walk towards the South. In order to test Adi Sankara, the Goddess halted for a moment while walking on the path. When Adi Sankara did not hear the sound of the anklets of the Goddess, he could not resist himself and turned back. This place happened to be Kollur and the Goddess, reminding Adi Sankara of Her condition, said that he should now install Her idol at this very place. Thus, Sri Adi Sankara installed and consecrated the idol of Goddess Mookambika at Kollur!
The Goddess is known as Mookambika as She had slain the demon Mookambika as She had slain the demon Mookasura. As per legend, long ago there was an Asura named Kaumasura who performed intense austerities and propitiated Lord Shiva. After getting boons from the great Lord, Kaumasura wanted to be the sole ruler of the three worlds and usurped the Kingdom of the Devas. He did not spare anyone, including the Rishis of the Heavens. All the Devas and Rishis, unable to bear the atrocities of Kaumasura, sought the help of Goddess Durga.
Sukracharya, the Guru of the Asuras, came to know of the plan of the Devas. He warned Kaumasura and asked him to seek the boon of Immortality from Lord Shiva. Once again, Kaumasura underwent austerities to please Lord Shiva. Goddess Saraswati sensing, if Kaumasura succeeded in winning the favour of Lord Shiva again, then he would become invicible. Goddess Saraswati, as Vakdevi (Goddess of Speech) made Kaumasura dumb. When Lord Shiva appeared before Kaumasura.
However much he tired, Kaumasura could not uttar a word! Then onwards, Kaumasura came to be called as Mookasura. Mookasura knew that his panances had failed and yet, he did not yield to the righteous demands of the Devas. Finally, Goddess Durga waged a war on Mookasura and slayed him. The Goddess, thus came to be called Mookambika!
There is another legend associated with the Mookambika temple. Once upon a time, the Sage Kola performed panances in the hills of the western Ghats and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva. After a while, Lord Siva pleased with the devotion of the sage, appeared before him.Shiva offered boons to the sage. But, the sage only wished for a Linga form of the Lord, so that he could pray for the welfare of all mankind.
There are five different Poojas that are performed everyday in the Mookambika temple. This temple celebrates all festivals, especially 'Sharannavarathri' during the month of October and 'Brahma Rathotsava ' during the month of March , every year. After visiting the Mookambika temple, the devotees can also choose to visit the other prominent places near Kollur like Kodachadri Mountain and Anegudde Vinayaka temple.
The Mookambika temple nestles in the lush valley of Kodachadri peak of the Western Ghats, on the banks of a tributary of the holy Sauparnika River. The sanctum of the temple has a Swayambhu (self-manifest) Jyothirlinga and a Panchaloha image of Goddess Mookambika, consecrated by Sri Adi Sankara meditated on the Kodachadri hill and in response to his prayers, the Goddess manifested Herself and offered to fulfill his desire. The seer Adi Sankara said that the wanted to install an idol of the Goddess in Kerela for daily worship. The Goddess agreed but on the condition that She would follow him to his destination, but the Sage should never once look back. Adi Sankara accepted the proposal and started to walk towards the South. In order to test Adi Sankara, the Goddess halted for a moment while walking on the path. When Adi Sankara did not hear the sound of the anklets of the Goddess, he could not resist himself and turned back. This place happened to be Kollur and the Goddess, reminding Adi Sankara of Her condition, said that he should now install Her idol at this very place. Thus, Sri Adi Sankara installed and consecrated the idol of Goddess Mookambika at Kollur!
The Goddess is known as Mookambika as She had slain the demon Mookambika as She had slain the demon Mookasura. As per legend, long ago there was an Asura named Kaumasura who performed intense austerities and propitiated Lord Shiva. After getting boons from the great Lord, Kaumasura wanted to be the sole ruler of the three worlds and usurped the Kingdom of the Devas. He did not spare anyone, including the Rishis of the Heavens. All the Devas and Rishis, unable to bear the atrocities of Kaumasura, sought the help of Goddess Durga.
Sukracharya, the Guru of the Asuras, came to know of the plan of the Devas. He warned Kaumasura and asked him to seek the boon of Immortality from Lord Shiva. Once again, Kaumasura underwent austerities to please Lord Shiva. Goddess Saraswati sensing, if Kaumasura succeeded in winning the favour of Lord Shiva again, then he would become invicible. Goddess Saraswati, as Vakdevi (Goddess of Speech) made Kaumasura dumb. When Lord Shiva appeared before Kaumasura.
However much he tired, Kaumasura could not uttar a word! Then onwards, Kaumasura came to be called as Mookasura. Mookasura knew that his panances had failed and yet, he did not yield to the righteous demands of the Devas. Finally, Goddess Durga waged a war on Mookasura and slayed him. The Goddess, thus came to be called Mookambika!
There is another legend associated with the Mookambika temple. Once upon a time, the Sage Kola performed panances in the hills of the western Ghats and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva. After a while, Lord Siva pleased with the devotion of the sage, appeared before him.Shiva offered boons to the sage. But, the sage only wished for a Linga form of the Lord, so that he could pray for the welfare of all mankind.
There are five different Poojas that are performed everyday in the Mookambika temple. This temple celebrates all festivals, especially 'Sharannavarathri' during the month of October and 'Brahma Rathotsava ' during the month of March , every year. After visiting the Mookambika temple, the devotees can also choose to visit the other prominent places near Kollur like Kodachadri Mountain and Anegudde Vinayaka temple.