Related to Ravindra Kumar P quiery.

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

Mrs Vatsala Iyengar report says:

 

Kolhapur, yet another Shakti Peetha, was known in ancient times as

Karavirapura. Amogha Varsha Nrupatunga is said to have offered his

thumb to the deity, in order to atone for his subjects' sins. Durga's

Mahisha Mardhini form is found in places like Aihole, Badami and

Pattadakal, vouching for her superior status in the arts world during

the reign of Chalukyas.

 

Rulers, who saw her as the goddess of war, started the practice of

worshipping the weapons during the Vijayadashami day. Durga

Parameshwari temples are also seen widely in coastal Karnataka -

Katilu, Bappanadu (Mulki), and Mandarthi; the Mahisha Mardhini temple

at Kadiyali and Kali shrine at Ambalapadi in Udupi are also among the

important Shakti temples in the region.

 

Chamundi, another incarnation of Shakti emerged as a result of

slaying the demons Chanda and Munda, has been the tutelary deity of

the Wodeyars. The predominantly vaishnavite state of Mysore during

the 12 century portrays her as Lakshmi, while the Kolaramma at Kolar

is also considered one of the Saptamatrikas (Chamundi).

 

The history of Abhiseka Lakshmi or Gajalakshmi has been in existence

in the State for 2,000 years and has been inscribed as a symbol in

the lintels over the sanctum sanctorum of several temples. The

Lakshmi temple at Sulebhavi (Belgaum) is well-known for her powers to

grant wishes. Goddess Saraswathi became popular in the State from 11

century (Circa), and has been mentioned in Kavirajamarga (8th

century).

 

The 'Temple of Saraswathi' at Gadag and richly carved images of this

goddess in Hoysala temples, nonetheless reinforce her popularity from

ancient times. Invocation of Saraswathi during Navaratri is thought

to have originated in the State during the 14th century. Renuka, the

goddess of chastity has been worshiped as Yellamma from 2nd century

in places like Saundatti and Chandragutti, with the rituals of a

cult.

 

Sirsi's Marikamba and Huligamma at Kapala, portrays a unique

hybridisation of folk and vedic tradition, while Hasanamba of Hassan

district is an ant-hill open to worship for a week during the

Navarathri festival. Sri Amruthesvari temple at Kota may be smaller,

but it is yet another evidence of people's strong faith in the

goddess.

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Namaskaram, Thanks for the clarifications...

I too happened to stumble upon some answers for the association of Mookambika and Saraswati and am posting an article here (have uploaded it in the Files section), found on the Internet which is quite lengthy and detailed about our Kollur Temple, please go through the same.

To make a long story short, the important line that gave me the answer is: Adi 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.

Regards,Ravi.