Sri Mookambika Temple Kollur

As per ancient Scriptures and inscriptions, along with other proofs found in the locality, it is clear that the Kollur Mookambika Temple has been an abode of Devi Shakthi’s worship for centuries. In an ancient inscription (dated 1481 A D) found here, the source of the Shakthi has been described. Shree Mookambika Devi in the form of Linga is the Adi Shakthi, the Creator and the protector of all forms of life.

Many of the local Kings have given lots of donations to this Temple. Prominent among them are the Kings of the “Keladi Dynasty”. They have been offering a variety of worships to the Goddess. Prominent Kings of the Keladi Dynasty, Sankanna Nayaka and Shivappa Nayaka had renovated the Temple and gave donations for the maintenance of the Temple. The Kings of Keladi Nayak Dynasty had believed that the Goddess is the symbol of victory. As such whenever they would win a war or drive away their enemies they were devoting the victory and celebrating it before the Goddess.

THE LEGEND

A troll or monster known as Kaumhasura, wanted to get a boon from God Shiva, that, he should not get death from any living being. To disable him from asking the boon Vagdevi makes him dumb. Accordingly he became Mookasura or Dumb troll. Due to this, Mookaasura became furious and wanted to take revenge against the Gods. The Gods could not withstand the trouble imparted by him and sought refuge from Devi. In response the Devi had integrated the powers of the Trimurthis and all the Gods into her to put the Mookasura to death and after that, assimilated into the Linga and now exists known as Mookambike and protects her devotees The supremacy of the Kollur Kshethram is described in the Skanda Puranam which has the legendary background of Kollur. Since Kola Maharshi had meditated in the Khshethra, which was named as Kolapura. Today it is known as Kollur. Kola Maharshi was fascinated to see a Cow pouring milk onto a linga from her udder. Then he started to worship the linga. Since we can see the symbol of the hoof of the cow on the Linga, it shows that the linga has got the godly powers. The architecture of the Kollur Temple belongs to the Keladi period. Recently the Temple was renovated. The Sanctum Sanctorum which is in a Quadrangular shape has a tower known as Vimana Gopura which is in the Dravidian Architecture. The tower of the sanctum sanctorum is covered by gold donated by local king centuries ago. Around the sanctum sanctorum of goddess Devi, we can see the retinue deities like Subrahmanya, Dashabhuja Ganapathi, Anjaneya, Chandramouleeshwara, and Gopalakrishna. The statue of Mookambike is very attractive and has four arms The upper two arms are holding Shankha and Chakra and the palms of the lower two arms are held as blessing the devotees with the Abhaya and Varada Hastha .

Navarathri festival:

During the days of Navarathri Festivities, along with the special “Poojas” Shatha Rudrabhishekas andn at the night, “Kalpoktha Navarathri Special Pooja” is performed. During Navarathri, which is celebrated for Nine Days, “Navadurgalankara” is performed. On the Mahanavami Day (the nineth day) Car Festival (Rathotsava) is held by placing the Devi on the decorated Pushparatha. The “Chandi” Sthotra will be read on all the nine days. “ Chandika Homa” also will be performed. The Navarathri Celebrations end on the Vijayadashami day. On the Vijayadashami day, thousands of devotees perform the Aksharabhyasa Seva at the Saraswathi Mantapa.

Dhanurmasa :

During the month of Dhanu, every morning the routine poojas will be performed and every day special “Naivedyas” will be offered and “Mangalarathi” will be performed.

Shivarathri:

On the day of Shivarathri, along with the routine Poojas, special “Abhishekas”, “ Archanas”, “Naivedyas” and “ Mangalarathi” will be offered. Along with that, Festivals are also held on the Street Known as “Beedhi Utsava”

The Annual Festival:

The Annual Festival is held every year during the month of March or April for Nine days. Daily worship and special processions are held. At noon “ Shatha Rudrabhishekha will be performed”. At 5.30 PM in the evening and at 10.00 PM in the Night, Street Festivals take place. The main Car Festival ( Maha Rathotsava) will be held on the 8th day. Next day the “Okuli Festival” ( like Holi) and the Boat Festival ( Theppotsava) are held on the Sowparnika River. On that day during the “ Maha Rathotsava” the festivitis will be held seating the Devi on the “ Doddatte” (Decoration like the Aura around the Devi)

Ugadi:

On the day of Ugadi, the usual Poojas will be offered, with special preparation using Neem. In the evening, from 5.30 PM to 6.00 PM, the Goddess will be placed at the Saraswathi Mantap and special offerings and Mahamangalarathi will be performed, followed by the traditional “ Panchanga Shravana” ( Predictions are made about the Nation, Rain, Agriculture and Politcal Scenario etc. ) This is the beginning of the new year. On the evening of Ramanavami i.e after 15 days from Ugadi, special festivals are held.

Ashtabhandha Brahmakalashotsava:

Ashtabhandha Brahmakalashotsava is performed once in twelve years. Last time this festival was held in April 2002 in a splendid manner. “Abhisheka” ( ritualistic bath) was performed on to the Linga with 1008 “Kalashas” ( vessel containing water - of which 1000 were made up of silver and 8 were made up of Gold) filled with sacred water. All the sevas and programmes are taking place during the Brahmakalashotsava Festival. The “Sahasra Kumbhabhisheka was performed in the benign presence of Shringeri Jagadguru Shree Shree Bharathi Theertha Swamiji. The Ashtabhandha Brahmakalashotsava, Ati Rudra Mahayaga, Sahasra Chandi Mahayaga was accomplished with the help of about 200 priests. The “poornahuthi” of the Sahasra Chandika Yaga was performed by Shree Shree Raghavendra Bharathi Swamiji of Ramachandrapura Math.

Chandika Homa:

The Chandika Homa is performed by about 7 Priests, by reading 700 verses andn 700 hymns from the Shree Devi Mahatme and offering sweet pudding (Payasam) 700 times to the Agni. Every day the Chandika Homa Seva is performed in the Temple