Mookambika,Kollur,Udupi
Moolavar : Mookambika
Urchavar : –
Amman / Thayar : –
Thala Virutcham : –
Theertham : Agni, Kasi, Shukla, Madhu, Govinda,Agasthya, Archana Gundu
Agamam / Pooja : –
Old year : 1000-2000 years old
Historical Name : –
City : Kollur
District : Udupi
State : Karnataka
Singers:
Bhagwan Adi Sankara has praised the Mother of the temple in his hymns.
Festival:
The float festival is celebrated on the Moola star day preceded by flag hoisting on Panguni Uthiram day in March-April. The festival also includes one for demon Mookasura. Mother Saraswathi comes in procession on the Navarathri Saraswathi Pooja day. Deepavali also is a festival day in the temple.
Temple’s Speciality:
When Baghwan Sankara first came to this place, there was a Swaymabu Linga worshipped by Kola Maharshi. On close observation, Acharya Sankara found that Ambica too was in the Linga invisibly. He mediated upon the Goddess sitting on a place close by. Mother Mookambika appeared before Acharya and blessed. Mother Mookambika idol was made based on the picture that appeared in Sri Sankara’s mind. No abishek is performed to Mother but to Linga only. Other Alankaras are done to Goddess. There is a golden line in the middle of the Linga, visible to the Devotees only during abishek. It is said that Lord Brahmma and Lord Vishnu are on the left of the Linga while Mothers Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvathi are on the right gracing the devotees. With so much divine features, the Shiva Linga grants huge benefits to the devotee worshipping millions of deities. The temple has also the Sri Chakra installed by Sri Adi Sankara. As Kola Maharshi worshipped here, the place came to be known as Kollur. As a tradition, the doors of the temples are kept closed during the eclipse period, but this temple is an exception. Pujas continue even during eclipse times. Brahmmacharis are not allowed to perform pujas in the temple.
Opening Time:
The temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Address:
The Executive Officer, Sri Mookambika Temple, Kollur – 576 220, Kundapur Taluk, Udipi district.
General Information:
The shrines of Lords Panchamukha Ganapathi, Subramanya, Partheswara, Pranalingeswara,Chandramouleeswara, Nanjundeswara, Sri Anjaneya, Lords Vishnu, Tulsi Krishna and Veerabadra in the prakara. The devotee should worship these Gods first before praying to Mother Mookambika, according to tradition. Feeding is available to all twice a day.
Prayers:
As Mookambika is but Mother Saraswathi, prayers are submitted by devotees for gaining knowledge, wisdom and excellence in educational pursuits.
Thanks giving:
Devotees do special pujas to Mother offering vastras.
Greatness Of Temple:
Mother Mookambika graces in a sitting form with discus and conch in hands representing Kali, Mahalakshmi and Saraswathi. The idols of Kali and Saraswathi made of Panchalokas (five metals) are on both sides of the deity. Navarathri is an important festival in the temple. Acharya Sankara sung his Kala Rokanam in praise of the Mother and gained Her blessings. On Saraswathi Puja day, Mother Saraswathi is taken on a procession. Parents begin schooling for their children in the temple – Vidyarambam.
It so happened that Sri Sankara was not able to get up one day after completing his meditation. Mother Herself prepared a medicine for the Acharya and gave it to him. Following this event, Kashayam-a medicine prepared with herbals is offered as Prasad to devotees. This is devotionally consumed by the devotees. It is said that Baghwan Sankara authored his Soundaryalahari from this temple. The 98th verse in the series is dedicated to Mother Mookambika.
Kudajathri Hills: This is 25 km far from Kollur. It is said that the hill is a piece that fell down when Sri Anjaneya was carrying the Sanjeevi hills. The hill has 64 varieties of rare herbals and 64 sacred springs – theerthas. There are also caves called Ganapathi Cave, Sarvajna Peeta and Chithira Moolai from where Sage Kola Maharshi and Sri Sankara performed penance. It is also said that Mother Mookambika created a water falls for the use of the sages.
Temple History:
A demon Mookasura by name was performing penance on Lord Shiva. As the world would be subjected to untold hardships if the demon succeeds in his penance, Devas appealed to Mother to intervene in his penance. In the war with Mother, Mookasura demon surrendered at the feet of Mother. As prayed by the demon, Mother agreed to stay here in the name of Mookambika.
No comments yet.