Temples & Legends

Mookambika temple at Kollur, on the slopes of the Western Ghats is a very holy pilgrimage centre in South India. It is situated in the foothills of Kodachadri hills, on the southern bank of Souparnika River. 

The story of Devi Mookambika 

Long long ago, there was a very powerful asura named Kaumasura. He had wreaked havoc in the three worlds, and ousted Indra from Devlok. The Devas were faced with uncertainty, when they heard a heavenly prophesy declaring that Kaumasura’s end was very near. While the prophesy was reassuring to the Devas, it greatly worried Kaumasura. To ward off any threat to him, he decided to pray to Mahadeva for a boon. Seeing his penance, Devi Saraswati was worried. She knew that the asura would ask for some boon from Bholenath, which would make him invincible. So she decided to take away his power of speech. Now Kaumasura was unable to speak, hence he became ‘Mookasura’, the mute demon. 

Mookasura felt cheated and angry so he unleashed terror on the Devas. Adi Shakti watched the Devas helplessly trying to escape from the clutches of Kaumasura. The Devas approached her for help. She reassured them that soon she would vanquish Kaumasura.

Devi Ma assumed a fierce form, and riding her lion, she went to fight Mookasura.  A fierce battle ensued. Just as she was about to kill Mookasura, he realised who she was.

Even though he couldn’t speak, he bowed down his head in shame and begged her for forgiveness. Devi understood, and with a compassionate smile, She granted him the power of speech.

Mookasura said, “O Mother! I have realised my folly now. Please forgive me…”

Mother said, “I forgive you, Mookasura. But the prophesy has to be fulfilled.”

Mookasura said, “As you wish, Mother. I only have one request. May my name never be forgotten.” 

Mother replied, “So be it!” And then she killed Mookasura. For killing Mookasura, She came to be known as Mookambika.

The place where she killed Mookasura is known as Maranakatte. It is on the way to the Mookambika temple in Kollur. 

The story of Maharshi Kola

Long ago, where the temple is now situated,  there existed nothing but dense forest. Once a sage named Kola Maharshi visited this place and saw a self manifested (swayambhu) lingam here. Attracted by the beauty, serenity and divinity of the spot he decided to make this his place for penance. He did penance for a long time. Pleased by the devotion of Kola Maharshi, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked about his wishes to grant him boons. Kola Maharshi, who had attained supreme sagehood and denounced all material comforts, had no wishes to fulfill. He requested Shiva to make this place of worship a ‘siddhi kshetra’ (abode of mystic power) where people in distress could always look for solace. Lord Shiva granted his wishes and told Kola Maharshi that Goddess Adiparashakthi would incarnate as Mookambika and make this place her abode and subsequently this place would become a hallowed sanctuary. Lord Shiva renamed this place as Kolapura in honor of Kola Maharshi. (Kollur is the contraction of Kolapura). 

After the annihilation of Mookasura,  Kola Maharshi requested Adi Parashakthi to stay at  Kolapura as the unified form of all divine powers.

The diety

The deity worshipped in the temple is Mookamba or Mookambika, the slayer of Mookasura 

The Swayambu Linga of Mookambika has a golden rekha (a line) running through it, splitting it into two unequal portions. The line is visible only when the daylight falls upon the linga. The smaller portion of this linga is said to represent the Trimurti Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The larger part of linga represents the Tridevi Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Parvathi. This linga is placed in front of Goddess Mookambika’s panchloha idol which was installed by Adi Shankara. The Panchaloha idol of Mookambika is very attractively carved. She has three eyes and four hands and the upper two hands hold the Sanka and Chakra and the lower ones indicate benediction.

The legend of Adi Shankara and Devi Mookambika

 Adi Shankara wanted to build a temple for goddess Saraswati in Kerala and thus performed penance to please the deity. Saraswati agreed to Adi Shankara’s request, provided he led her to Kerala without looking back at her. He agreed to this condition, but soon realized that the Goddess’s anklets no longer jingled and so, curiosity overtook him, and he looked behind. Because he broke her condition, Saraswati stayed at the spot (Kollur) where he had turned. But because Adi Shankara had performed austerities for her, the goddess agreed that she would be part of the Chottanikkara Temple in Kerala as well as in the Mookambika temple. Thus, the doors of the Chottanikkara Temple are opened right after those of the Mookambika temple. 

Chottanikkara Temple is another beautiful temple in Kerala. Shall tell you about the temple in another post.

May Devi Ma bless you always !!! 🙏🙏