Kollur Mookambika Devi-1
The drive to Kollur Mookambika
Devi temple is through a narrow road with dense forests on either side. The
Sauparnika river flows by the side and we get glimpses and the rush of the
flowing river through the trees on the right side of the road. There are many myths,
legends and miracles associated with Devi, and it takes time to fully understand
the mystery and powers of the sacred temple.
One of the well-known temples of
Karnataka, and in proximity of Udupi Sri Krishna’s temple, the temple in Kollur
is thronged by devotees who pray for blessings in their pursuit of arts like
music and dance, education and knowledge. The Devi enshrines the powers of
Durga, Saraswathi and Lakshmi on left side of the Lingam and Siva on the right.
Devotees of all castes and faiths throng the temple throughout the year
The legend most well-known and
revered by devotees is that of the demon Kaumasura who was observing Tapasya
and practicing severe penance to gain matchless powers. The gods feared that he
may indulge in destruction and mayhem with his power and appealed to the Divine
Mother to intervene. Saraswati Devi took away his power of speech to he could
not address the gods. Furious, the demon, now named Mookasura, continued to harass
sage Kola Maharishi who was doing penance. Devi Durga drew on the power of the
gods and vanquished the demon with her divine chakra and became known as Devi Mookambika.
Details of dancing images on the chariot.
The revered proponent of Advaita Vedanta,
Adi Shankaracharya, chose Kodachadari hills near Kollur to observe penance.
Pleased with his penance and devotion, Saraswati Devi appeared before him and asked
him for his wish. Shankaracharya
requested Devi to come to Kerala with him. Devi agreed with one condition. She
will follow him, but he must never look back to see her. They began their
journey, but at one time he could not hear her the sound of her anklets. In his
anxiety, he forgot her one condition and had looked back to see why Devi had
stopped. At that very location where Devi stopped, near Chandragiri Hills, is
the exact location of the present temple. Devi now instructed Shankaracharya to
construct a temple for her and install her idol with due ceremony.
The temple is a Jyotirlinga and
the main deity is a Swayambhu Lingam (Manifested) that combines Shiva, Vishnu
and Brahma on the right and the three Devis on the left. A golden line divides
the Lingam. This combined power of the
major deities is the reason why the temple exudes a divine vibration.
The temple is also known as one
of the seven Mukthi Stalas created by Vishnu Avatara Parasuraman.
Devi is worshipped in three forms
every day. In the morning she is worshipped as Maha Kali who empowers power and
courage. At noon, she is Maha Lakshmi who grants wealth and prosperity. In the
evening Devi is worshipped as Maha Saraswati who is the deity of knowledge,
wisdom and Fine arts.
The sacred stambham covered with golden plates and images carved on all sides
The iconography of the Devi idol
is unique. Devi sits in Padmasana under the Sri Chakra. Her eyes are in
Shambhavi mudra which means her one eye looks upward and the other eye
downwards. She has a Third Eye which symbolises Fire. She wears a diamond
nose-ring and her earrings are Sri Yantras. Four hands are seen, two holding Shank
(Conch) and Chakra (Wheel weapon), and the other two in Abhaya (protection) and
Varada
(granting boons) hastas.
It is believed that Adi
Shankaracharya wrote Soundarya Lahari at this location. He laid down the
instructions for the rituals to be performed here, which has been followed for
centuries. They follow the Vijayagama tradition or Tantric rituals. Four
families have been given the rights to perform the rituals here. There is a
powerful energy and divine vibration that engulfs one as one enters the temple
precincts.
The sacred chariot rests. The wooden chariot has beautiful carved images on all sides.
The temple is a Jyotirlinga and
the main deity is a Swayambhu Lingam (Manifested) that combines Shiva, Vishnu
and Brahma on the right and the three Devis on the left. A golden line divides
the Lingam. This combined power of the
major deities is the reason why the temple exudes a divine vibration.
The temple is also known as one
of the seven Mukthi Stalas created by Vishnu Avatara Parasuraman.
Devi is worshipped in three forms
every day. In the morning she is worshipped as Maha Kali who empowers power and
courage. At noon, she is Maha Lakshmi who grants wealth and prosperity. In the
evening Devi is worshipped as Maha Saraswati who is the deity of knowledge,
wisdom and Fine arts.
The iconography of the Devi idol
is unique. Devi sits in Padmasana under the Sri Chakra. Her eyes are in
Shambhavi mudra which means her one eye looks upward and the other eye
downwards. She has a Third Eye which symbolises Fire. She wears a diamond
nose-ring and her earrings are Sri Yantras. Four hands are seen, two holding Shank
(Conch) and Chakra (Wheel weapon), and the other two in Abhaya (protection) and
Varada (granting boons) hastas.
It is believed that Adi
Shankaracharya wrote Soundarya Lahari at this location. He laid down the
instructions for the rituals to be performed here, which has been followed for
centuries. They follow the Vijayagama tradition or Tantric rituals. Four
families have been given the rights to perform the rituals here. There is a
powerful energy and divine vibration that engulfs one as one enters the temple
precincts.
Read Kollur Mookambika -2 for more information and photos.
#Kollur #Mookambika
#Sauparnikariver #AdiShankaracharya #Soundaryalahari #Chandragiri #Kodachadari #smilingseeker
#MusicdirectorIlayaraja #Yesudas #LyricistVali
