The Mookambika temple at Kollur is sitaued at 140 km away from Mangalore City in Karnataka state in Southern part of India.and easily accessed from Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka by train and road.
Kollur is an important seat of Shakti worship.It is the only temple that is dedicated to goddess Parvathi and believed to be created by Parashurama. This temple is very well known among the people of Tamilnadu and the goddess Parvathi is called in Tamil as Thai Mookambika. Parvathi temple is located exactly on the banks of the perennial river Souparnika that runs close to the foot hills of the Western Ghats. River Sauparnika has its attribute to the eagle called Suparna that did penance in this bank and attained salvation.
This temple has a long history for its origin. It is said goddess Parvathi killed the Kamsasuran who lived here and who attempted to become all powerful through his penance. Devi along with the help of Veerabadra, Ganapathi and Shiva initially made him dumb and he came to be called Mookasuran, mooka means to be dumb. Later the goddess killed him with her Chakra on the midnight of Shukla Astami. From then on Devi came to be called as Kollur Devi Mookambika. Then her divine energy became one with the lingam worshipped by Kola Maharishi. At the Sri Mookambika temple the Lingam is the main deity and is known as Jyothirlingam. Devi Mookambika has three eyes and four arms, with the divine disc and conch in her hands.
The Mookambika temple is renowned for its beauty and aesthetics, all over the world. Goddess Kollur Mookambika is adorned with flowers. Ritual bathing and prayer to the idol are a common feature of the presiding lingam. The perennial Souparnika river’s pure water is used for theertham and puja. The kollur Mookambika temple wears a festive look during Navrathri and Navrathri is celebrated with pomp, show and gaiety.
Places of interest
Arishna Gundi Water falls
Scenic waterfall inside the deep jungle only approachable by trekking and due to the special effect of sunrays falling on the water droplets around the waterfall looks orange/yellow the name is Arishna (Turmeric/yellow). Kodachadri Mountain on Western Ghats Adi Sri Shakthi Mookambika Temple is on the top of mountain believed to be the real abode of Devi from where Adi Shankara re-established it at foothills at Kollur. Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is world Wildlife Fund Aided. This sanctuary is home for endangered species animal called Lion tailed monkey. Spread along the Kundapur-Kollur- Shimoga road, this sanctuary is generally off the tourist map. Sigandur is famous for temple of Goddess Chaudeshwari. It is situated at a distance of 45 km from Kollur where a diversion from Kollur-Shimoga Road has to be taken at Nagodi.
How to Reach kollur
Kollur is around 36 km from Kundapur, the taluk head quarters. From Kundapur
Kollur is a 2 hour drive from Udupi, so a visit to Udupi can include Kollur. The drive is a very scenic one
The nearest railway station is Kundapura (40 km) where a few long-distance trains halt
The nearest Airport is Mangalore International Airport ( Bajpe )flights are operated by Air India Express. There are pre-paid taxi to kollur from Airport and it is a 3 hours drive or approximately 150 kilometre.
