Kollur
Kollur Sri Mookambika Kshetra
The highly revered shrine of Sri Devi Mookambika at Kollur is one of the oldest Adi Parashakti kshetra and a siddhi kshetra situated in the holy land of Bharath. It is situated on the tranquil scenic beauty of Kodachadri hill amidst the thick forests of the Western Ghats.
Legend has it that Devi Mookambika transformed herself as Swambhu linga , Jyotir linga after annihilating Mookasura in the 28th Dwapara Yuga of the present manvantara when Sage Kola Maharishi was doing penance. In response to the prayers of Kola maharishi for the welfare of humanity, the trinity with their Shaktis and all the Gods and Godesses have empowered the Jyotirlinga with their divine presence.
A swarna rekha or golden line divides the hallowed Swambhu linga into two unequal parts. The samller right side is said to represent Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara and the larger left side the Devi has imbibed all the shaktis viz. Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati. The divine energy unfolds as kriya shakti, icchaa shakti and jnaana shakti. Thus the Svayambhu Linga is endowed with great spiritual power. The sattvic power of this sacred kshetra has been enhanced by the visist of great Rishis, sadhus and saadhakas.
Adi Shankara and Kollur
From the chronicles of History we learn That Shri Adi Shankara paerformed Penanace in Kollur Kshetra. Adi Shankara knowing the spiritual power of the jyotir Limga visited the sacred place during his pilgrimage. Following his tapas he had the vision of Divine Mother of humanity in the most beautiful and magnanimous form. He asked the Vishkarmas to sculpt an idol of Divine Mother in the same form as he perceived in is penance, the symbolic form of the formless; the graceful idol of Sri Mookamabika was shaped and installed behind the Jyotirlinga. She captivates and arrests the minds of devotees as they enter the sanctum, sanctorium centuries ago. Prior to his visit, worship was offered by the devotees only to the jyotirlinga. Thus it was after experiencing the divine miracle that Sri Adi shankara proceeded on his life’s mission.
Shri Matha and Kollur association
The association of Sri Shringeri Jagadguru Mahasamsthana and Kollur has been longstanding and significant from the past. History of Karnataka tells us that the ruler of Keladi (Shalivahana shaka 1552) used to visit Sringeri and requested the then Jagadguru to bless his land by visiting there. Accordingly Sri Jagadguru visited his kingdom and then to Kollur for having darshan of Goddess Sri Mookambika. The Jagadguru has also composed the Sri Mookambika strotram there.
From the Vijaya yatra records of the Jagadgurus of Sri Sharada Peetham, we learn that the Achaaryas have made a visits to Kollur at different points of time to offer their worship to Sri Devi Mookamabika. The marble statue of Adi Shankara was installed at the Shankara peetham inside the corridors of the temple by the divine hands of Sri Sri Jagadguru Bharati Teertha Mahaswamigal
Recently Kumbhabhishekam was performed by Shringeri Peethadipati Sri Sri Bharati Teertha Mahaswamigal at this place which was a rare event. In the year 2005, the Golden chariot was dedicated to Sri Devi Mookambika by Sri Sri Jagadguru Bharati Teertha Mahaswamigal. Even today during Sharannavaratri the managala dravya for Suvaasini puja is offered by Shri Matha.
There is a live tradition that when a new priest of the temple takes over his charge as uttara adhikaari, he visists Sringeri for seeking the blessings of the Jagadguru. The temple authorities seek the guidance and blessings of the Jagadguru for all the dhaarmic programmes and solutions for dharmic issues.
Sri Shankara Kripa guest house
Sri Shankara Kripa guest house is situated on the main Car Street. A 5 minute walk from the Main Kollur Bus stand and a 5 minute walk to Sri Mookambika temple. The river Sowparnika
flows behind the guest house. There is a garden with varieties of different species of plants and trees.
Lord Chandramouleesvara temple is within the complex.
There are nine airy spacious rooms with bathrooms attached with car parking facility. Hot water is provided, The foundation stone for the building was laid by Jagadguru Sri Abhinava vidya theertha Mahaswamigal in the year………….. The building was opened by the divivne hands of Gis Holiness Sri Barathi theertha Mahaswamigal in the year ……
There is a small tuck shop providing the basic needs of the pilgrims.
The lean months are the heavy monsoon months of June, July and August. The rest of the year Kollur is crowded. More so on Government holidays and week ends.
Kindly call the manager well in advance and make the room bookings to avoid disappointments.
Postal Address
Sri Shringeri Shankara Matha
Sri Shankara kripa Guest House
Sri Mookambika Kshetra
Car Street
Kollur Post, Kundapura taluk
Udipi District
Pin code – 576 220
Contact Person
Sri C S Ganapathi Bhat
Hon. Manager
Telephone -08254 258347
Mobile +91 94481 05787.
Location
Kollur Kshetra is situated in the Coastal district of Udipi in Karnataka State, South India is well connected by road from all four directions- from Mumbai or Goa via Karwar to Kundapur or Byndoor; FromAndhra Pradesh or Tamilnadu or Kerala via Mangalore on National Highway; from Belagaum or Hubli via Shimoga on State highway; from Chikkamagalur via Shringeri..
The nearest railway station is at Byndoor 27 Kms from Kollur or Kumdapur 45 kms from Kollur on the Konkan railways.
The nearest Airport is at Managalore 149 Kms from Kollur.