Hare Krishna
Kollur Mookambika Temple is located near the holy river Sauparnika in Kollur Region of Karnataka, India. The temple is said to be 1200 times old, and was installed by Adi Shankaracharya. The deity who is revered deified is Goddess Mookambika.
According to legends, there was a demon name Khamasura, he had a boon that he will only be killed by a woman. He wanted more and when he was in deep penance seeking blessing from Lord Shiva, the Lord appeared in from of him, but when Khamasura was about was about to ask for a boon, Goddess Saraswati baffled his speech, causing him of incapable of asking the boon. From then Khamasura was named as "Mookasura"(Mooka means dumb). In wrathfulness and rage he defeated Indra and took his Kingdom and caused chaos in three world. In order to restore cosmic balance Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu combined their powers with Saraswati, Parvati and Lakshmi. Their combined power crowned into Goddess, who defeated Mookasura thus acquiring the name "Mookambika".
Installation of the Temple...
Adi Shakaracharya wanted to install a temple of Devi Mookambika in Kerala. On the top of Kodajadri hill is "Shakara Peetham". Shankaracharya did penance at the same place in order to get blessings from the Devi. Goddess Mookambika appeared in front of him and agreed his want but kept a condition that he should keep walking without distrusting or turning back if he turns back he has to install the temple there itself. Shankaracharya agreed and started walking down Kodajadri hills, when they reached Kollur the sound of Devi's anklet stopped and just to check if Devi is still behind him he turned back. Goddess Mookamika ordered him to install the temple in Kollur.
Shankaracharya cried and prayed to forgive him as he wanted to install temple in Kerala, but Devi dissented and ask him to install her temple and to calm him Devi said that she will live in Kollur in the form of Goddess Mookambika and as Goddess Chottanikkara in Kerala. It is said that, From early hours of morning, goddess would come and appear before the devotees at the Chottanikkara temple. Then in the afternoon, she would return to the Mookambika temple. And she also promised him that if ladies from Kerala stopped visiting Kollur, she will come to Kerala in her Mookambika form. Adi Shankaracharya agreed and installed a temple there.
In front of the Idol of Mookambika Devi you can find a Linga, which is worshiped as Moola Devi. It is said that to bless Maharishi Kola, Lord Shiva appeared before the rishi. Maharishi Kola asked that the Lord with His Consort should remain then ever. To grant his want, a Jyotirlinga appeared, with a Swarnarekha (golden line) in the middle. Therefore, one half of this Linga stands for the conscious principle as embodied by Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, while the other stood for the Creative Principle in the form of Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswathi.
This Temple is said to be among seven pilgrimage site created by Lord Parshuram in Karnataka. Kollur is famous not only for the sanctum of Devi Mookambika but also its scenic geography, defined by verdant hills and rivers. People flock to it not only to worship the Goddess but also to experience and enjoy its natural sensations and ancient heritage.
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Radhe Radhe!!!
