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Mookambika, Udupi, Karnataka
| Date built: | – |
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| Deity: | – |
| Architectural style: | – |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | – |
| District:: | Udupi |
| Address: | Main Road Kollur, Kundapur Taluk Udupi District Karnataka-576220 |
| Phone | – |
Mookambika is the Hindu goddess who is representing Adi Parashakti, or simply as Shakti. She is often depicted with three eyes and four arms with a divine disc and conch. The goddess has a large following among the people of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu states of India, popularly being known as Mooghambighai Amma or Thaai Mooghambighai, where Amma and Thaai meaning mother.Mookambika is situated in Kollur village of Udupi Karnataka. Mookambika temple is among the most important shrines for Hindus in India. Mookambika Temple is also one of the most legendary temples. Mookambika Kollur is a small village of about 6 sq. kms in area at the foot of Western Ghats. Kollur Temple itself is generally known as ‘Mookambi’ or ‘Moogambigai’ in Kerala and Tamil Nadu respectively. Though the Kollur Mookambika Temple is in Karnataka most of the devotees visiting the Mookambika temple are either from Kerala or from Tamil Nadu. Sri Mookambika is unique among the other Hindu gods and goddesses as she embodies the powers of Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswathi and Mahakali combined into one as Adiparashakthi – Mookambika. Udbhava Linga (self manifested phallus) of Mookambika Temple represents both Purusha (male) and Shakthi (female).
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
As per legends, there lived a sage in ancient years named Kola Maharishi, who was troubled by a demon. The demon was in penance to obtain boon from gods, only for the sake of troubling more. Goddess Parvathi made the demon dumb (meaning: Mooka), so he cant ask for boons. The demon was called as Mookasura (meaning: Dumb demon). The frustrated mute demon started creating even more problems to the sage and the people around. Upon the appealed request of the sage, Goddess Parvathi descended in a powerful form and killed Mookasura. So the Goddess came to be hailed as Mookambika. The sage requested the Goddess to stay in that place and so did Goddess took her abode in the same place, called Kollur.
Kollur Mookambika Temple is one of the most hallowed shrines for Hindus in India. It is one of the holiest Siddhi Kshethras (abode of mystic powers) of the world today. Sri Mookambika is an embodiment of all divine powers. So she can be worshipped in any form. It is said in Skanda Purana that the jyothirlingam of Sri Mookambika is the unification of Purusha and Prakruthi. A sojourn to this temple is equivalent to praying at thousand temples. Legend has it that Srikrishna along with Rukmini and Sathyabhama observed Sambavrutham at Mookambika Temple. Indra, Suratha, Kashyapa , Bhargavarama, Sage Shukracharya, Sage Bruhaspathi, Pradyumna, Lokadithya Brahmana, Samadhi Vaishya etc were other epic characters who did penance at Kollur Mookambika.Mookambika as Saraswathi is patron Goddess of education and fine arts. She can be propitiated for progress in education and accomplishment in fine arts. Great artists like Ravi Varma , Swathi Thirunal etc were devotees of Sri Mookambika.
M.G.Ramachandran, Late Guru Gopinath, Jesudas, Ilayaraja etc are great contemporary artists who were/are ardent devotees of Kollur Mookambika Temple. Mookambika as Mahalakshmi is the Goddess of wealth. So She can be worshipped for progress in business and profession. Mookambika as Kali or Durga will be helpful to secure health, extinguish ailments and eliminate enemies.
Photo Gallery
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Contact Details
Official Address