Mookambika Temple, Kollur

Kollur is a holy place, close to Kundapura, there are buses from Kundapur to Kollur very frequently. On the way is the Maravante beach, if you happen to come back on this route in the evening, it’s a nice place to spend an evening. Kollur is close to Kodachadri hills, people going for trekking in Kodachadri hills can visit this temple.

Epics say that Long ago when a demon called Kaumasura obtained a boon from Lord Shiva was reigning pompously; Kodachadri became the hiding place for all the gods and divine beings who became helpless against his harassment. While the Saptarishis were engaged in prayers and poojas to bring about the end of demon kaumasura, Guru Shukracharya enlightens him about his impending death at the hands of a woman. Learning this, kaumasura performs an austere penance t please Lord Shiva. When Lord pleased with his prayers, appears before him and asks him to name the boon that he wishes, Vagdevi, the Goddess of speech senses that this could lead to a greater devastation and makes him speechless. The dumb Kaumasura then becomes unable to verbalise his wishes and then onwards he is called Mookasura. Soon after, on the request of Kola Rishi, the goddess creates a mystical power by bringing together the individual powers of all the gods who had assembled. This Divine Power wages war on Mookasura and brings about his destruction, thereby granting him salvation. The place where devi killed Mookasura is known as "Marana Katte". Since that day, the Goddess has resided at this holy place Kollur by the name Mookambika, fulfilling the wishes of all her devotees. Here resides Sreedevi in the Padmasana posture, of a serene countenance, and with three eyes, bearing always a shankha, a chakra and with a pleasant appearance as the embodiment of mantra to bless the devotees.

There is Lunch (Prasadam) served in the temple, better to have lunch here only, there are hardly any good restaurants near the temple. Temple is closed in the afternoon after pooja and will open only after 5.00PM in the evening, so don’t go in the odd time. You will miss the chance to get the Darshanam.