Author – Padmaja Vangala
Sri Ganeshaya Namaha
Sri Gurubhoy Namaha
Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha
The presiding Goddess of Kollapura or Kollur Temple is Devi Mookambika. It is also called Maharayanpur and Parushuram Kshetram.
Names of Temple:
Mookambika Temple is called Kollur, Kollapur, Maharayanapur, and Parasuramakshetra.
Location of Temple:
The temple is located in small town Kollur, Kundapur Taluq, Udipi District, Karnataka State situated on the banks of Sauparnika River in the dense forest of Kodachadri Hills, Western Ghats, Sahyadri Mountains in the shape of Sri Chakra.
History of Temple:
Parushuram:
This temple vicinity is within Parashuram Kshetram. Lord Parashuram is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Dasaavatar. He is the son of Jamadagni Rushi and his mother Renuka Devi. He created seven Mukti places located in Kollur, Kodeshwar, Gokarna, Udupi, Kumbasi, Sankarnarayana, and Subramanya. Except for Kollur rest of the places are belong to Lord Ganesh, Subramanyam, and Shiva. Kollur is Devoted to Shakti.
Kolla Rushi:
In Agnitheertham within rock Kolla Maharshi performed Tapasya for the welfare of mankind (Lok kalyanam). He was blessed by Lord Shiva to appear in form of Lingam and Shakti as Swayam bhulingam in form of Ardha Narishwar. On the head of Shivling, there is a golden line and unification of Trimurti and TriShakti.
Adi Shankaracharya:
The great Saint Adi Sankaracharya performed Tapasya to know the real vision of Devi and she become visible as Adiparashakthi in form of Trishakti as Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Maha Saraswati with Sudershan Chakra, Shank, Abhayamudra, and Kaumodaki. Thereafter Adi Shankaracharya installed the idol of Mookambika Devi. In Left side of Shivling Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati reside. Wherein Trimurti Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Maheshwar reside on the right side of Shivling.
Mahakali:
In the morning Mookambika Devi is worshipped as Mahakali to attain Spiritual Power. The demon Kaumasura is a devotee of Lord Shiva and performs Tapsya to attain boon and distribute earth then Devi Devatha prayed Adiparashakthi to protect them and she made him dumb and he was unable to speak before Lord Shiva what he wants. Since then he was called Mookasura and killed with Chakra on Shukla Ashtami. Since then She is named Mookambika Devi.
Maha Lakshmi:
Mookambika is worshiped in the afternoon as Mahalakshmi for prosperity and wealth. Lord Brahma, Shiva, and Indra pray as mothers of the universe. She resides in Sri Chakra in Padmasan and her mercy fulfills the desires of devotees.
Mahasarawati:
In the Evening she is worshipped as Mahasaraswati for education and knowledge. Mooka means Dumb and speechless in Kannada. It is believed that if Devotees worship in the form of Mahasaraswati and Offer Tambulam (edible pan) helps to improve vagsiddhi, a dumb person can speak and can become an orator. She exists in all forms as Mahasaraswati to develop intelligence, talent, wise and wisdom, and devotees are blessed with a good education. It is auspicious to perform Aksharbhyasam in this holy shrine on Ashwin Shukla Navami of Sharan Navaratri. Even Annaprasana is performed on children.
Kaumasura:
The demon Kaumasura performed penance to gain powers to disturb the living of earth. All God and Goddess prayed Adishakti to stop Tapsya of the demon. Then Shakti made him Dumb to ask any boon and he called as Mookasura. Even then he tried to disturb Shakti killed him with Sudershan Chakra on Shukla Asthami night. Since then Shakti is worshipped as Mookambika Devi.
Suparna:
Sowparnika is holi river to piligrims of Kollur Village called as Kollur River. An eagle Suparna performed Tapasya and obtained salvation near the banks of river Sowparna. Thus the River was named Sowparnika. It is originated as a droplet in the center of Kalabhiarava and Uma Maheshwar temples. It joins with the Panchagangavali rivers of Varahi, Chakra, Kubja with Souparna and merges into the Arabian Sea. It enjoins 64 varieties of ayurvedic herbs and flows through the Mookambika temple at Kollur.
Mookambika Jayanthi:
Phalguna Month Moola Nakshatra is a grandeur celebration and is considered Mookambika Jayanthi. Moola Nakshatra belongs to Goddess Mahasaraswathi. During Navaratri on Moola Nakshatra day, Pulihora tamarind rice is offered as Naivedyam. In this Plavanama year, Phalguna Shukla Asthami with Moola Nakshatra falls on March 22nd, 2022, and an Annual Rathosavam is performed. Likewise Ashwin Navaratri is also celebrated.
Here are more details about Mokambika Devi pooja you can check.
