Kollur Mookambika Temple

Mookambika is one of the most legendary shrines for Hindus in India. Mookambika temple is situated at Kollur village of Kundapur taluk in Udupi district of Karnataka. Kollur is a small village of about six square kilometers in area at the foot of Western Ghat. Kollur is generally known as 'Mookambi' in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Though the temple is situated in Karnataka most of the pilgrims visiting the temple are from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The great hindu religious leader Sri Adi Sankara was associated with this temple and is said to have spontaneously composed the classic work Soundarya Lahiri here. Sri Adi Sankara is said to have installed the metal image of the Goddess behind the Jyotirlingam. The idol that was installed by Adi Shankara is confined in a copper roofed and gold crested temples.

History

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History of the temple begins with the arrival of sage Shankaracharya at this place in 8th century A.D. Historically it is believed that this place was inhabited by Shakthas called Kaulas and that was how this place came to be called as Kollur. Kollur is one of the seven pilgrimages which were created by Parashurama. While the other pilgrimages created by Parashurama are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya and Lord Ganesha, this is the only one devoted to Goddess Parvathi. It is said goddess Parvathi killed the Kamsasuran who lived here and who attempted to become all powerful through his penance.

Honneyakambali Kings of Hosangadi have been ruling Kollur and they were ardent devotees of Mookambika. Venkanna Savantha of this dynasty built the stone structure of the temple in 11th century A.D. Chieftains of Barkur were also devotees of Mookambika and they created a lot of endowments for the temple. A poet named Linganna Kavi had written a book titled 'Keladi Nrupa Vijaya' in 1750 A.D and this book contains a lot of references to Mookambika Temple. Tippu Sultan of Mysore had visited this temple and a special 'mangala arthi ( Deeparadhana)' was conducted at his behest. That pooja is being continued even today and it is called 'Salam Mangalarthi' which follows the main pooja during night session.