Mookambika Devi Temple - Kollur Udupi
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🛕 Temple Info
Nestled in the lap of the Western Ghats along the banks of River Sowparnika, Shri Mookambika Devi Temple at Kollur is one of the most spiritually potent and scenic pilgrimage centers in Southern India. Surrounded by the lush green foothills of the sacred Kodachadri hills, this ancient temple enshrines Goddess Mookambika – the divine embodiment of Adi Shakti. Believed to be over 1200 years old, the temple’s serene atmosphere, sacred traditions, and architectural brilliance create a transcendent experience for every devotee.
The sanctum sanctorum houses the unique Udbhava Linga, symbolizing the confluence of Shakti and Shiva. The left side of the Linga embodies MahaKali, MahaLakshmi, and MahaSaraswati, while the right side represents Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva – a powerful expression of divine unity. The temple is revered for offering devotees prolonged darshan, even during peak crowd times – a rarity in many temples.
💫 Importance
Kollur is one of the seven sacred abodes of salvation established by Lord Parashurama and sanctified by Adi Shankaracharya. It is said that Adi Shankara consecrated the idol of Goddess Mookambika on a Sri Chakra Yantra, installed beside the Jyotirlinga. The spiritual energy at this Kshetra is immensely powerful, believed to destroy negativity and grant inner awakening.
Devotees from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and beyond flock to this sacred temple, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays, during the month of Shravana, and on Moola Nakshatra day in Phalguna (the Goddess's birthday). Dignitaries, celebrities, industrialists, and saints often make pilgrimage to Kollur, further affirming its spiritual stature. Celebrated musician K.J. Yesudas famously performs Chandika Homa Seva at the temple each year on his birthday.
📜History
As per legend, a demon named Kaumhasura sought a boon of invincibility from Lord Shiva. Goddess Saraswati, in her divine intervention, rendered him mute, turning him into Mookasura. Enraged, Mookasura terrorized the divine realms until Goddess Shakti – merging the powers of all Gods and the Trimurti – annihilated him. She then manifested as the Udbhava Linga at Kollur, protecting her devotees as Goddess Mookambika.
Kollur's spiritual roots date back to the times of Kola Maharshi, who witnessed a divine cow pour milk onto a Linga. Entranced by this miracle, he began worshiping the Linga, marking the beginnings of this sacred site. An inscription dating back to 1481 A.D. confirms the temple's ancient origins. Patronage from the Keladi Nayaka kings, particularly Sankanna Nayaka and Shivappa Nayaka, led to significant renovations and offerings, including the gold-plated Vimana Gopura.
The temple architecture features a classic Dravidian tower above the quadrangular sanctum and is flanked by shrines of Subrahmanya, Dashabhuja Ganapathi, Hanuman, Chandramoulishwara, and Gopalakrishna.
🪔 Pooja Timings
Morning:
- 5:00 AM – Temple Opens
- 5:15 AM – Abhishekam to the Lingam
- 5:30 AM – Ganahoma
- 6:30 AM – Morning Pooja Begins
- 7:15 AM – Dantha Dhavana Mangalarathi
- 7:30 AM – Panchamritha Abhishekam
- 7:45 AM – Naivedya
- 8:00 AM – Morning Mangalarathi & Bali Utsava
- 11:30 AM – Noon Pooja
- 12:30 PM – Maha Mangalarathi
- 1:30 PM – Temple Closes
Afternoon Darshan:
- 3:00 PM – Temple Reopens for Darshan
- 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Darshan Only (No Sevas)
- 5:00 – 6:30 PM – Regular Darshan
Evening Rituals:
- 6:30 PM – Pradosha Pooja (Panchamritha Abhisheka)
- 7:00 PM – Naivedya
- 7:15 PM – Mangalarathi
- 7:30 PM – Pradosha Pooja Mangalarathi
- 7:45 PM – Mangalarathi for Accompanying Deities
- 8:00 PM – Night Bali & Naivedyam
- 8:30 PM – Utsava Moorthi placed at Saraswati Mantapa
- 9:00 PM – Kashaya Mangalarathi
Note: Devotees are allowed Darshan between 5:00 AM – 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM except during special occasions.
🚌 Transfort Options
By Road:
- 72 km from Udupi
- 35 km from Kundapur
- 111 km from Sringeri
- Well connected via local buses, taxis, and autos.
By Rail:
- Nearest Railway Stations: Byndoor (Mookambika Road), Udupi, and Mangalore.
By Air:
- Nearest Airport: Mangalore International Airport (IXE), approximately 140 km away.
🏙️Near By Cities
Udupi
Kundapur
Shringeri
Mangalore
Bydoor
Bhatkal
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