The Mookambika Devi Temple

Mookambika Temple Kollur, dedicated to Mookambika Devi, is one of the most prominent shrines for people in the state of Karnataka and Kerala, India. Located at a distance of 147 km from Mangalore in the picturesque surroundings presented by the banks of the river Sauparnika and the lush green Kodachadri hill, the temple attracts millions of pilgrims every year. The temple holds immense relevance for the devotees as it is associated with revered Hindu saint and Vedic scholar Adi Shankara. It is believed that Adi Shankara perceived the idea of having a Mookambika Devi temple at Kollur and himself installed the idol of deity in the temple some 1200 years ago. People have high faith in Mookambika Devi Temple as Goddess Mookambika is regarded as a manifestation of Shakti, Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi. In fact the Temple of Mookambika Devi is one of the 'Seven Muktisthala' pilgrimage sites in Karnataka which are Kollur, Udupi, Subrahmanya, Kumbashi, Koteshwara, Shankaranarayana and Gokarna.

The Mookambika Devi Temple stands at the bottom of the Kodachadri peak. The deity is in the form of Jyotir-Linga incorporating both Shiva and Shakthi. The Panchaloha image (five element mixed metal) of the Goddess on Shree Chakra is stated to have been consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya during his visit to this place. It is believed that the original place of the goddess is on top of Kodachadri Peak (3880') and as it was very difficult for ordinary people to trek all the way to Kodachadri, Shankaracharya reestablished the temple at Kollur.There is an exquisite sculpture of Panchamukha Ganesha here.

Kollur is regarded as one of the Seven Muktisthala pilgrimage sites, of Parashurama Kshetra, in Karnataka which are (Kollur), Udupi, Subrahmanya, Kumbashi, Koteshwara, Shankaranarayana and Gokarna.

Other deities in the Kollur Mookambika temple include Shri Subramanya, Shri Partheeshwara, Shri Panchamukha Ganapathi, Shri Chandramouleeshwara, Shri Pranalingeshwara, Shri Nanjundeshwara, Shri Anjaneya, Shri Venkataramana, Shri Thulasi Gopalakrishna.

During the Navarathri celebrations in November, the temple is crowded with devotees. Janmashtami or Krishna jayanthi is also a popular festival here. It is believed that the Swayambu Linga appeared on this day.

Vidhyarambha or the initiation of small children in the letters of the alphabet of their mother tongue is carried out in the Saraswathi mantapa on the last day of the Navarathri festival. However Vidhyaramba can be conducted on any suitable day at the temple. Annadhana is offered as a free offering to the devotees every afternoon and in the evenings.

ACCESSIBILITY

Kollur Mookambika is around 37 kilometres (23 mi) from Kundapur, the taluk headquarters. From Kundapur, one can take three different routes to reach Kollur.

One route is via Tallur-Hattiangadi-Karkunje-Vandse

The second route is via Hemmadi-Vandse

The third route is via Baindur (Byndoor)
However, the shortest route is through Hemmady. On the National Highway 17, after around 7 kilometres (4 mi) from Kundapura, at Hemmady one has to take a right deviation to reach Kollur.
The nearest railway station is at Kundapura (40 km) where a few long-distance trains halt. You can get taxis from the station to Kollur. The station has a waiting room for passengers.

Railway Station telephone number: +91-8254-237365.

Mookambika road (Baindur) (26 km) is another railway station where a very few long-distance trains halt. It is situated between Kundapura and Bhatkal stations. Buses to Kollur, are available every 30 minutes from 6:00 am in the morning to 8:30 pm in the night. The bus stand is 200 metres (660 ft) from the railway station.

The nearest Airport is Mangalore International Airport at Bajpe. There are pre-paid taxis to Kollur from the airport and it is a three-hours drive or approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi).

Kollur is a two-hour drive from Udupi, so a visit to Udupi can include Kollur. The drive is a very scenic one.

By road, Kollur can be reached via Shimoga or via Mangalore when coming from Bangalore. There are bus services available in these routes. Buses are also operated between Kollur and Chennai, Sringeri and Guruvayur.

Sri Mookambika Temple
Kollur - 5762200
Udupi District
Karnataka State
India
Phone: +91 8254 258488 / 258489 / 258521

POOJA DETAILS

Morning	5.00 A.M. 6.00 A.M. 7.30 A.M. 8.00 A.M. 8.30 A.M.	Opening the Doors. Starting of the Morning Pooja Pooja Danthadavan Bali & MangalarathiBali
After-Noon	11.30 A.M. 12.00 P.M. 12.15 P.M. 1.30 P.M.	Starting of the after noon pooja Arachane Mahanaivedya. Bali. Closing the Doors of the Devasthan.
Evening	6.00 P.M. 7.30 P.M.	Starting of the pooja of Prasadha Pooja Mangalarathi
Night Pooja	8.00 P.M. 8.30 P.M. 9.00 P.M.	Bali Mangalarathi Bali UtasvaKashaya Mangalarathi

PLACES TO SEE

KODACHADRI A TREKKING PLACE:

* A PEAK IN WESTERN GHATS (1800)
* 30KM FROM KOLLUR BY JEEP
* BY WALK 12KM
* SARVAJNA PEETHA
* CHITHRA MOOLA(A SOURCE OF SOWPARNIKA RIVER)
* IB AND ROOMS AVAILABLE
* JEEP COST Aprox.- Rs1600(FOR STAY Rs. 400 EXTRA)

NEAR BY PLACES.

(2Km) Dharma Peetha-the Ashram of Sage Thathata

Baindoor : 15 k.m. Famous for beach Ottinane : 14 k.m. Where highland and sea meets, near Highway Nagara Fort : 30 k.m. Old fort visited by tourists Mookambika Reserve Forest : 5 k.m. includes Ghat Roads and forest view Sigandur : 35 k.m, a beautiful village with Chowdeswari Temple in the backwaters of Sharavathi. Maravanthe : 20 k.m. Where a Highway road passes between Arabean sea and River, only one of its kind in India.

Distances from Kollur:
1. Kundapur: 40 Kms
2. Udupi: 80 Kms
3. Murudeshwar: 55 Kms
4. Mangalore: 140 kms
5. Bangalore: 405 Kms (via Shimoga)
6. Sringeri: 115 Kms