Sri Mookambika Temple

The Mookambika Temple, one of the seven most sacred spots of the coastal region, is dedicated to the Goddess of emotional power and strength. The temple has a gold plated crest and copper roofs. Adi Shankaracharya, the great philosopher, is said to have visited this temple to perform penance.

The Goddess Mookambika is represented in the form of Jyotir-Linga incorporating both Shiva and Shakthi. Mookambika is said to have appeared before Adi Shankaracharya here, and he is said to have installed her image at this shrine. The Panchaloha image (five element mixed metal) of the Goddess on Shree Chakra is also stated to have been consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya during his visit to this place. There is also an exquisite sculpture of Panchamukha Ganesha. When Baghwan Sankara first came to this place, there was a Swaymabu Linga worshipped by Kola Maharshi. On close observation, Acharya Sankara found that Ambica too was in the Linga invisibly. He mediated upon the Goddess sitting on a place close by. Mother Mookambika appeared before Acharya and blessed. Mother Mookambika idol was made based on the picture that appeared in Sri Sankara’s mind. No abishek is performed to Mother but to Linga only. Other Alankaras are done to Goddess. There is a golden line in the middle of the Linga, visible to the Devotees only during abishek. It is said that Lord Brahmma and Lord Vishnu are on the left of the Linga while Mothers Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvathi are on the right gracing the devotees. With so much divine features, the Shiva Linga grants huge benefits to the devotee worshipping millions of deities. The temple has also the Sri Chakra installed by Sri Adi Sankara. As Kola Maharshi worshipped here, the place came to be known as Kollur. As a tradition, the doors of the temples are kept closed during the eclipse period, but this temple is an exception. Pujas continue even during eclipse times. Brahmmacharis are not allowed to perform pujas in the temple. The shrines of Lords Panchamukha Ganapathi, Subramanya, Partheswara, Pranalingeswara,Chandramouleeswara, Nanjundeswara, Sri Anjaneya, Lords Vishnu, Tulsi Krishna and Veerabadra in the prakara.  The devotee should worship these Gods first before praying to Mother Mookambika, according to tradition Mother Mookambika graces in a sitting form with discus and conch in hands representing Kali, Mahalakshmi and Saraswathi.  The idols of Kali and Saraswathi made of Panchalokas (five metals) are on both sides of the deity.  Navarathri is an important festival in the temple.  Acharya Sankara sung his Kala Rokanam in praise of the Mother and gained Her blessings.  On Saraswathi Puja day, Mother Saraswathi is taken on a procession.  Parents begin schooling for their children in the temple – Vidyarambam.

It so happened that Sri Sankara was not able to get up one day after completing his meditation.  Mother Herself prepared a medicine for the Acharya and gave it to him.  Following this event, Kashayam-a medicine prepared with herbals is offered as Prasad to devotees.  This is devotionally consumed by the devotees.  It is said that Baghwan Sankara authored his Soundaryalahari from this temple.  The 98th verse in the series is dedicated to Mother Mookambika.

Kudajathri Hills: This is 25 km far from Kollur.  It is said that the hill is a piece that fell down when Sri Anjaneya was carrying the Sanjeevi hills.  The hill has 64 varieties of rare herbals and 64 sacred springs – theerthas.  There are also caves called Ganapathi Cave, Sarvajna Peeta and Chithira Moolai from where Sage Kola Maharshi and Sri Sankara performed penance.  It is also said that Mother Mookambika created a water falls for the use of the sages. About 135 Kms from Mangalore and 80 Kms from Udupi, in the valley of Kodachadri peak of Western Ghats nestles a serene town Kollur. Here is seat of very famous Mookambika Temple on the banks of the never drying river Sauparnika This attractive Mookambika temple with gold plated crest and copper roofs attracts thousands of devotees.This is a well known temple in the Weat Coast of Karnataka and is one of the most important places of pilgrimage attracting pilgrims from all over India. The temple is dedicated to Mookambika and stands on a spur of the Kodachadri peak.

The Goddess Mookambika is in the form of Jyotir-Linga incorporating both Shiva and Shakthi. The Panchaloha image (five element mixed metal) of the Goddess on Shree Chakra is stated to have been consecrated by Adi shankaracharya during his visit to this place. There is an exquisite sculpture of Panchamukha Ganesha.

Kollur is regarded as one of the Seven Muktislala pilgrimage sites in Karnataka which are (kollur), Udupi, Subrahmanya, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna.Kollur is known for its association with Aadi Sankara. Mookambika is said to have appeared before Aadi Sankara here, and he is said to have installed her image at this shrine. There is a room near the sanctum - enshrining the Sankara Simhasanam which is regarded as the very spot where he meditated and had a vision of Mookambika. Mookambika is regarded as a manifestation of Shakti, Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi.

The Kudashadri hill houses sites such as Ambavanam and Chitramoolam where Adi Sankara isbelieved to have meditated..The temple has been patronised by ancient Hindu Kings and several parts in it are still believed to contain valuable treasures. 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 Vijayanagar.In Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva narrates to His son Subramanya the significance of this place. References are also found to the hill Kudashadri, its surrounding forest Maharanyapura and to Devi Shakti coming there at the request of Kola Maharishi. In Krita Yuga, a demon by name Kaamaasura ruled from this region. The Devas and Rishis were put to untold miseries by the arrogant Asura. Sage Kolarishi did penance to propitiate the Devi and succeeded in his mission. The Devi turned the Asura into a mooka (dumb) and vanquished him in a fierce encounter. Thus the Goddess acquired the name Mookambika. The Devi later appeared as a Swayambu Linga (self-manifested) with a golden rekha (a line) running through the Linga. On one side of the rekha, She has inbibed all the three Shaktis, namely, Mahakali, Mahasaraswathi and Mahalakshmi, and on the other side, Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. As sage Kolarishi did penance here, the place came to be known as Kollur.

Festivals In Mookambika Temple

Rathotsavam.

The main festival of Sri Mookambika Temple is the Rathothsavam, the car festival, in the month of Phalguna (March-April).

Ashtami Day

On the bright half of the Jyesta month (June - July) in the Ashatmi day there is a special festival, as it is considered the day of the appearance of the Goddess. Special poojas are performed during Mahalakshmi Vratham, Maha Shivaratri, Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Jyesta Lakshmi Vratham, etc.

The Navarathri,

the nine nights in the autumn (September-October), is a very auspicious occasion when thousands visit the temple.

Vana Bhojanam festival

in November-December.