Kollur - The divine abode of Mookambika

 Mookambika temple, encircled by river Souparnika, is located on the scenic hills of Kudajadri (Kollur) near Mangalore. Kollur is refered to in the Skanda Purana as Maharanyapura. It is said to have been home to several saints and yogis. Once, a great sage called Maharshi Kola, enchanted with nature’s beauty had decided to perform a penance on a rock near the Agnitheertham (tributary of Sowparnika). Lord Shiva, delighted with Maharshi, appeared before him and blessed him. The Maharishi wished for the welfare of mankind and nothing else.

Swayambhoo Linga manifested itself when Parameshwara drew the Sri Chakra with his toe and Kola Maharshi performed a long lasting penance in its vicinity. Udhbhava linga is the tangible form of Sri Chakra Bindu that is said to have the proximity of all gods and goddesses.

According to lores, the ravages of a demon named Kamha bothered the ascetics of Kollur. He started supplicating Lord Shiva for acquiring strength and to become much mightier. Finally, Lord appeared before him and granted him a chance to ask for a boon. Upon being requested by Kola and other sages of Kollur, Devi cursed the demon to become mooka or dumb. Hence the asura couldn't open his mouth for asking the boon. Undaunted, the demon continued his atrocities, and an enraged Devi vanquished him. 24 Kms from Kollur is Maarana Ghat where it is believed that the demon Mookasura was destroyed. In the temple at Maarana Ghat, there is a Sri Chakra symbolizing Devi.

After slaying Mookasura, devi vanished into the jyothir linga, embedding a golden line, and thenceforth called as Mookambika. The golden line(Suvarna Rekha) so formed divides the Swayambhu Linga into two, whose left half is wider and taller indicating the dominance of the feminine power. It is believed that Goddesses Lakshmi, Parvathi and Saraswathi resides on the left side(symbolizes creative energy principles) and the Trimurthis Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma resides on the right side(symbolizes conscious static principles) of the Linga. Besides the golden line, it is also said that there is a carving, of Shiva injured by Arjuna's blow during the clash of Kiratha(Shiva) and Arjuna, on the right side of the Linga. Towards the left, we may find the carving of Gopada (foot of Kamadhenu) at the Shakthi Peeta.

Many years winged by and one day Adi Sankara reached Kollur. The Kudajadri was the place Sankara chose to offer penance to Mookambika, which was a dense forest at that time. Devi was pleased by the prayers of Sankara and asked him of his needs. Sankara had an intention to bring Devi from Kollur to Kerala. Devi told sankara that she will follow him where ever he goes but he should never look back once he started the journey. Sankara got thrilled after hearing this, soon started his travel and could distinctly hear the sound of chilambu(ornament worn on the lower leg by women - usually dancers) which was the only indication that Devi was following him. When he reached near the present day temple premises, he couldn't hear the sound anymore and turned around. According to the treaty, Devi stopped there and Sankara although disappointed, soon installed a panchaloha idol upon sree chakra and enshrined Devi near the age-old Jyotir Linga.

[Another version of the story says that Adi Sankaracharya did his penance at Mysore Chamundeswari Temple and he wanted to take Chamundeswari to Kerala. On his way back to Kerala, Chamundeswari also followed him but when they reached Kollur, Adi Sankaracharya turned back accidentally and Chamundeswari decided to stay at Kollur and was later called as Mookambika.]

The idol of Mookambika is in a seated posture, bearing the conch and the discus. Also enshrined near this image are those of Mahakali and Saraswathi. There are also shrines to Veerabhadra, Subramanya, Naga, Panjamugha Ganapathi(five-faced ganapathi) and Anjaneya. Veerabhadra is worshipped first by devotees before entering the shrine to Mookambika.

The two rivers Agnitheertham and Sowparnika, which flow in the sanctuary of Mookambika descend from Kudajadri hills. A small spring that sprouts in between the temples of Kalabhairava and Uma Maheshwara is the source of river Souparnika. Legend says that a Garuda named Suparna did penance on the banks of this river praying to the Goddess Mookambika for the abatement of his mother Vinitha's sorrows. When the Goddess appeared before him, he prayed that the river be henceforth known after him and therefore came to be called as Souparnika. At the location where he is said to have sat in penance is a small cave which is known as the 'Garudaguha' or the Garuda's Cave. This holy river takes birth at the Kudajadri and flows up to the edge of Anthargami region where two more streams called Bhrungisha and Pippalada join it. Then it flows westward, surrounding Kollur in the name of 'Sampara' and proceeds to join the sea near the temple of Maharajaswamy (Varahaswamy) at Maravanthe. It is believed that river collects elements of 64 different medicinal plants and roots as it flows. Therefore, it cures all the diseases of those who bathe in it. Hence a bath in this river assumes significance and is considered sacred.

Architectural details

The temple has been patronized by ancient Hindu Kings and several parts in it are still believed to contain valuable treasure. This was the state temple for the Nagara or Bednore Rajas and many of the jewels now adorning the idol are said to have been presented by them and by their overlords of Vijayanagara.

The installation of the idol at Mookambika temple has a history as ancient as about 1200 years. As suggested by Rani Chennammaji, the feudal lord by name Halugallu Veera Sangayya has covered the inside of the temple with stone. When we look at the temple structure, we find the Sanctum Sanctorum, the entrance hall and then the Lakshmi Mandapa. There are four pillars at the Lakshmi Mandapa and on the upper portion of each of these pillars one could find beautifully carved images of various gods, prominently, of Ganesha, Subrahmanya, Mahishasura Mardini, Naga and the goddess in different postures as delineated in 'Devi Mahatmyam'.

Earlier, this made up the total temple structure and the outer prakara was not present. So Veera Sangayya also took up the prakara, as per the principles of temple architecture. We may also find beautiful images of Ganapathi atop the doors situated at the entrance to Garbhagriha, Lakshmi Mandapa and the main entrance. It is normal practice in any temple to depict the main deity over the entrance, and the fact that all three doors carry the carvings of Ganesha is considered to be of special significance.

There are many inscriptions at Kudajadri that relate the tale of time. The Prakaras, which underwent renovation from time to time, hold a mirror to the changing styles in architecture during bygone years. Specifically, the construction parameters of Garbhagriha structure is very ancient and extraordinary. The Garbhagriha is single yoni flag size. Pre-entrance has a three flag proportion and is about three and a half feet wide and 12 feet long. Lakshmi Mandapa measures 134' 11". Then comes the prakara. Beyond that structures is the Navaranga Mandapa.

Outside the temple is a large and beautiful 'Deepa Stambha', a pillar which holds lamps. This has 21 concentric circles in which the lamps can be lighted and when viewed from Kudajadri, one would feel as looking at the divine 'Makara Jyothi' at Lord Ayyappa's abode, the Sabarimala.

Rituals and practices

The pooja practices are based on two disciplines - firstly, as per Vathula, which is one of the 28 vedas of Shaivagama, includes the rituals like Bali (sacrifice) and secondly, as per Vijayagama. The five different poojas performed in this temple everyday are during early morning, morning, afternoon, evening and night. Pradosha Pooja at evening is also called as 'Salaam Mangalarathi'. It is said that Tippu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, once arrived here during pradosha pooja, witnessed the 'Mangalarathi', and became so impressed with Mookambika devi, that he offered a 'Salaam' in Muslim tradition to the Goddess, hence the name came into use.

Complementary to this account is the practice observed every year, when the Muslim brethren visit the temple on a specific day for a view of the Goddess. This special feature has been in vogue for many years now.

Of the various festivals and other celebrations held at the temple, 'Sharannavarathri' which is held usually during October and 'Brahma Rathotsava' held usually in the month of March are very prominently observed.

Ornamental jewels of Sri Mookambika Devi

There is a huge collection of jewels at the temple received as gifts from the community of devotees who have realized their dreams and desires with the blessings of the Goddess Mookambika. Of the various jewels of Mookambika, the one in Emerald is very valuable. Emerald represents knowledge.

This temple has two processional deities of gold. One is offered by Rani Chennamma as a substitute for the lost original one. But the missing one was found and thus there are two processional idols.

Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. MG Ramachandran gifted a gold sword, which weighs a kilogram and is two and a half feet long. The former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr. Gundu Rao, has gifted a similar type sword made of silver.

The facial mask of Goddess Mookambika is completely made of gold and gifted by rulers of the Vijaya Nagara Empire. The gold face mask of Jyothirlinga gifted by Chennammaji of Keladi is another unique treasure. The panchamugha idol of Lord Ganapathi at Mookambika temple is also very renowned.

A typical drum like instrument is also seen in the temple.