Seven Pilgrimage Centers (Mukti Stalas) - Part 1

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Mookambika (Kollur)

Temples of Karnataka

 

 

The Mookambika shrine at Kollur is one of the most revered

pilgrimage centers in Karnataka (and in Kerala). It is located at a

distance of 147 km from Mangalore. The nearest railhead is Udupi,

and it is well connected with tourist centers such as Mangalore and

Shimoga in Karnataka and Kannanur in Kerala.

 

Kollur is regarded as one of the Seven Muktistala 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 is believed to have meditated.

 

Deities: The swayambhu lingam in front of the image installed by Adi

Sankara, has a golden rekha (line) approximately at the center, and

is considered to be a Shiva-Shakti manifestation. The image of

Mookambika is in a seated posture, bearing the conch and the discus.

Also enshrined near this image are those of Mahakali and Saraswathi.

There are also shrines to Veerabhadra, Subramanya, Naga, Vinayaka

and Anjaneya. Veerabhadra is worshipped first by devotees before

entering the shrine to Mookambika.

 

The Temple: Located in very picturesque surroundings, Kollur is on

the banks of the river Sauparnika (said to possess medicinal

properties) at the foot of the hill Kudashadri. The temple is

located in a spacious courtyard, and isentered through the easternt

gopuradwara. The western entrance, is opened only on special

occasions. It is believed that Aadi Sankara entered the temple

through the western entrance.

 

Legends: Kollur is referred to in the Skanda Purana. It was

originally known by the name Maharanyapura. It is said to have been

home to several sages and yogis. A sage by name Kola was advised to

worship Shakti at Kollur. A lingam appeared on its own accord then

at Kollur, and Shiva requested Kola rishi to worship it and that in

due course Shakti would manifest herself as Mahalakshmi there. The

name Kolapura eventually changed to Kollur.

 

Further, the ravages of the demon Kamha bothered the ascetics of

Kollur. Upon being requested by Kola and other sages of Kollur,

Shakti cursed the demon to become mooka or dumb. Undaunted, the

demon continued his attrocities, and an enraged Devi vanquished him.

Upon vanquishing Mookasura, Devi is believed to have merged into

this self manifested Lingam in this temple. 24 km from Kollur is

Maarana Ghat where it is believed that the demon Mookasura was

destroyed. In the temple at Maarana Ghat, there is a Sri Chakra

symbolizing Devi.

 

A trek to the peak of the Kudashadri peak and a hike to the Govinda

Theertha waterfalls are noteworthy trips from Kollur.