mookambika-adishankara-soundarya lahiri

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Kollur is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Karnataka

is in the distance of 128 Kms from Mangalore. The temple here 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 here.

 

Karnataka Temples: Kollur Mookambika

 

Mythology:

Long ago when a demon called Kaumasura obtained a boon from Lord Shiva

was reigning pompously, Kodachadri became the hiding place for all the

gods and divine beings who became helpless against his harassment.

 

While the Saptarishis were engaged in prayers and poojas to bring

about the end of demon kaumasura, Guru Shukracharya enlightens him

about his impending death at the hands of a woman. Learning this,

kaumasura performs an austere penance t please Lord Shiva. When Lord

pleased with his prayers, appears before him and asks him to name the

boon that he wishes, Vagdevi, the Goddess of speech senses that this

could lead to a greater devastation and makes him speechless. The dumb

Kaumasura then becomes unable to verbalise his wishes and then onwards

he is called Mookasura. Soon after, on the request of Kola Rishi, the

goddess creates a mystical power by bringing together the individual

powers of all the gods who had assembled. This Divine Power wages war

on Mookasura and brings about his destruction, thereby granting him

salvation. The place where devi killed Mookasura is known as " Marana

Katte " .

 

Karnataka Temples: Kollur MookambikaKarnataka Temples: Kollur Mookambika

 

Since that day, the Goddess has resided at this holy place Kollur by

the name Mookambika, fulfilling the wishes of all her devotees.

 

Here resides Sreedevi in the Padmasana posture, of a serene

countenance, and with three eyes, bearing always a shankha, a chakra

and with a pleasant appearance as the embodiment of mantra to bless

the devotees.

 

Significance of Swayambhulinga:

Swayambhulinga manifested itself when Parameshwara drew the Srichakra

with his toe and Kola Maharshi performed a long lasting penance in its

vicinity, as a result of which power of meditation spread far and wide

on the earth. Udhbhava linga is the tangible form of Sri Chakra Bindu

that is said to have the proximity of all gods. It has a very high

significance since Shri Mookambika Devi has merged with this Linga and

fulfills the desires of devotees. A golden line has formed in the

swayambhu Linga and it is wider on the left side as also taller. It is

believed that Goddess Lakshmi, Parvathi and Saraswathi have all merged

in the left side and the Lord Parameshwara, Lord Vishnu and Lord

Brahma resides in the right side of the Linga. Besides the golden

line, it is also said there is an image (carving) of Shiva injured by

Arjuna's blow during the clash of Kiratharjuna, on the right side of

the Linga. Towards the left, we may find the image (carving) of Gopada

(foot of the Holy cow) at the Shakthi Peeta.

 

Karnataka Temples: Kollur MookambikaAdi Shankara (Vedic scholar and

saint) has perceived and realized Goddess Mookambika as residing thus.

Adi Shankaracharya appeared here leading Shri Saraswathi with a view

to finding a place for enshrining her. He stopped at this temple,

fixed Shrichakram and on it installed the idol of Mookambika which is

the central idol behind the lingam. On the either side of this are

idols of Kali or Parvathi and Saraswathi. The place where sage stayed

and did penance and the gate by which he left are at the back of the

Mulasthana and to north respectively. Votaries to the temple are

allowed the privilege of sitting at the place and passing under that

gate for a fee. The temple has been patronized by ancient Hindu Kings

and several parts in it are still believed to contain valuable

treasure. This was the state temple for the Nagara or Bednore Rajas

and many of the jewels now adorning the idol are said to have been

presented by them and by their overlords of Vijayanagara.

 

Sanctum of Shri Mookambika:

The installation of the idol at Mookambika temple has a history as

ancient as about 1200 years. As suggested by Rani Chennammaji, the

feudal lord by name Halugallu Veera Sangayya has covered the inside of

the temple with stone. When we look at the temple structure, we find

the sanctorum, then entrance hall and then the Lakshmi Mantapa. There

are four pillars at Lakshmi Mantapa and on upper portion of each of

these pillars, we find beautifully carved images of various gods.

Prominently, they have sculpted the images of Ganesha, Subrahmanya,

Naga, Mahishasura Mardini and the goddess in different postures as

delineated in Devi Mahatma. Earlier, this made up the total temple

structure and the outer prakara was not present. So Veera Sangayya

also took up the prakara, as per the principles of temple

architecture. We may also find beautiful images of Ganapathi atop the

doors situated at the entrance to Garbhagriha, Lakshmi Mantapa and the

Mukhya Dwara (main entrance). It is normal practice in any temple to

depict the main deity over the entrance, and the fact that all three

doors carry the carvings of Ganesha is considered to be of special

significance.

 

There are many inscriptions at Kodachadri that relate the tale of

time. The Prakaras, which underwent renovation from time to time, hold

a mirror to the changing mores in architecture during bygone cultures.

Specifically the Vaasthu of Garbhagriha structure is very ancient and

extraordinary.

 

Karnataka Temples: Kollur MookambikaThe Garbhagriha is single yoni

flag size (Eka yoni pramana dwaja aya). Pre entrance has a three flag

proportion and is about 3½ feet wide and 12 feet long. Lakshmi Mantapa

measures 134'. 11 " . Then comes the prakara. Beyond that, is Navaranga

Mantapa. Outside the temple is a large and beautiful Deepa Sthambha (

a pillar to hold lamps). This has 21 concentric circles in which the

lamps can be lighted, and when viewed from Kodachadri, one would feel

as though we were looking at the Divine Makara Jyothi at Lord

Manikanta's Shabarimale. This beautiful Deepa Sthambha rests on a

Koorma Peeta (seat with tortoise head); on this tortoise is a huge

elephant upon which Lord Ganapathi is astride, looking westward and

facing Goddess Mookambika Devi. During Navarathri, and during the

Rathotsava on Phalghuni Masa Krishna Paksha Ashtami day (the day after

Holi), the age-old practice of starting the pooja by praying to Lord

Ganesha present on the pillar is kept up even today. In the inner

corridor, just beyond the Garbhagriha, as we move around the shrine in

a pradakshina, we will find totally four different idols of Ganapathi

being worshipped, beginning with the Dashabhuja Ganapathi.

 

Of these, the Balamuri Ganapathi idol that is made of white marble is

beautiful and high of significance. Then we have the image of serpent

which has formed on the stone in the south-west corner. It is believed

that, as we move in pradakshina, if we touch this serpent and offer

our prayers, it results in several benefits, like warding of

Sarpadosha, averting all doshas, and most importantly, acquiring good

fortune.

 

Then we see the Shankara Peeta, where Adi Shankara Bhagavathpada

meditated, and by virtue of his ascetic powers, visualized the form of

Devi in all totality and realized the Devi herself. As we move in a

pradakshina at the outer enclosure, we first find Subrahmanya swamy,

then Saraswathi and then Pranalingeshwara, Partheshwara, the deity of

Mukhya Prana (with a bell on the tail) installed by Vadiraja, Vishnu

Brindavana, a beautiful idol of Gopalakrishna within the Brindaana

(Considered as upa-pradhana Devatha), the platform for Tulasi and then

the temple of Veerabhadraswamy who is the presiding deity. Entrance to

this shrine being made of wood, we may see an excellent image, of

Nrutya Ganapathi, right at the centre of the arch. It is said that the

deity of Mukhya Prana has been situated right opposite the

Veerabhadraswamy shrine with a view to balance its frightful appearance.

 

Pooja practices:

Here pooja practices are based on two disciplines- one as per vathula,

which is one of the 28 vedas of Shaivagama, and which includes the

rituals of Bali (sacrifice); secondly, as per Vijaya yagama Shastra.

The five different poojas performed at the temple everyday are during

Dantadavana (brushing the teeth), morning, afternoon, evening

(pradhosha) and night. Pradosha Pooja is also called as " Salam

Mangalarathi " . It is said that Tippu Sultan, the ruler of

Srirangapatna, once arrived here during pradosha pooja, witnessed the

Mangalarathi, and became so impressed with the Devi, that he offered a

Salaam in Muslim tradition to the Goddess, hence the name came into

use. Complementary to this account is the practice observed every

year, when the Muslim brethren visit the temple on a specific day for

the darshana of the Goddess. This special feature has been in vogue

for many years now. Of the various festivals and other celebrations

held at the temple, " Sharannavarathri " which is held usually during

October, and " Brahma Rathotsava " held usually in the month of March

are both very prominently observed. There are several instances of

childless couples, the dumb, the blind and many such other people

making a vow to the Goddess and realizing their desires.

 

Ornamental jewels of Sri Devi Mookambika:

Karnataka Temples: Kollur Mookambika There is vast collection of

jewels at the temple received as gifts of acknowledgement from the

community of devotees who have realized their dreams and desires with

the blessings of the Goddess. Of the various jewels of the Devi, the

one in emerald is very valuable. Emerald represents knowledge. This

temple has two processional deities of gold. One is offered by Rani

Chennamma as a substitute for the missing of original one. But

subsequently the missing one found and thus there are two processional

idols. Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Sri. M.G.R. gifted a god

sword, which weighs one kg. And are 2½ feet long. The former Chief

Minister of Karnataka - Sri Gundu Rao, has gifted a similar type sword

made of silver. The facial mask of Goddess Mookambika is completely of

gold and gifted by Vijaya Nagara Empire. The gold face mask of

Jyothirlinga gifted by Chennammaji of Keladi is another unique ornament.

 

Sowparnika River:

The two rivers Agnithirtha & Sowparnika which flow in the sanctuary of

mookambika descend from Kodachadri hills. The wee spring of cool water

situated in between the temples of Kalabhairava and Umamaheshwara is

the source of river Sowparnika. Legend says that Suparna (Garuda) did

a penance on the banks of this river praying to the Goddess for the

abatement of his mother Vinutha's sorrows. When the Goddess appeared

before him, he prayed that the river be henceforth known after him,

Suparna, and therefore came to be called as Sowparnika. At the

location where he is said to have sat in penance, there is a small

cave even today which is known as " Garuda's Cave " .

 

This holy river takes birth at the Kodachadri and flows up to the edge

of Anthargami (now oluru) region where two more streams called

Bhrungisha and Pippalada join it. Then it flows westward, surrounding

Kollur in the name of " Sampara " , and proceeds to join the sea near the

temple of " Maharajaswamy " (Varahaswamy) at Maravanthe. It is believed

that river absorbs the elements of 64 different medicinal plants and

roots as it flows, therefore it cures all the diseases of those who

bathe in it. Hence a bath in this river assumes significance and is

considered sacred.

 

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