The sacred idol of Mookambika temple is composed out of Panchaloha i.e. five metals: Gold, Copper, Silver Iron, Lead, and Iron. It is believed to have been erected in the temple by Adi Shankaracharya in his trip to the holy state of Kerala. Devi Mookambika is believed to appear before Adi Shankaracharya, and he agreed to accompany him on his journey towards his present state of Kerala.
However, on the way they encountered the holy Jyotirlinga that was worshipped by Kolha Maharishi. In a state of mind about their future plans, Devi told Adi Shankaracharya that it was necessary that she join the Jyotirlinga. The Jyotirlinga as of now will be a golden line that divides it in two. The right side would be the home for Trimurthis.
The Trimurthis and the more spacious left-hand side would be the home of Parvathi, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. In this way, she vanished into the Linga and a golden line was strewn across the entire Linga. Since then, Goddess Mookambika is revered as a Jyotirlinga which combines Shiva (Trimurti) in the left and Shakti (Tridevi) to the right side, separated by a golden Rekha (line).
Shri Adi Shankaracharya later erected one of Mookambika over the Linga and prayed to them both. Then, the idol as well as that of Jyotirlinga are the two that the current temple is constructed. The idol is among the most holy and reverent in the world of Hindus and is therefore revered with utmost respect.
The story of Mookambika temple is believed to date back to about 800 A.D. and it is located on the banks of the river Souparnika and is situated in the setting of Kodachadri hills on the western coastline of India. The main entrance on the eastern part is a gold-plated Dwajasthambam and a Deepasthambham in front of it.
It is adorned with a stunning picture of Ganapathy sculptures on the pillar. The pillar is popularly known as Kambhada (pillar) Ganapathy. The devotees begin prayers here and then enter the temple to take part in darshan (sighting) of Devi Mookambika statue, which is placed on the Jyotirlinga. Its statue Mookambika is depicted having four arms. The upper two arms holding Shankha and Chakra and the palms of the lower arms are depicted as blessings to devotees in an Abhaya or Varada Hasta posture.
In the past, Hindu kings of various monarchies have prayed to Devi Mookambika and offered prayers and valuable offerings in the temple. The temple is home to a huge collection of jewellery and gold such as a 500-gm gold sword given by the former Tamil Nadu CM M. G. Ramachandran and a gold face of goddess offered by the Vijayanagar rulers, and numerous other valuable gifts given by devotees at times of when. Additionally there are two gold-plated Utsavar idols. There is a belief that the second idol was donated to Rani Chennamma when the first idol was taken. The first one was eventually found, and so two idols of utsavar remain within the shrine.
In reality, the temple has a special bond with Tipu Sultan who was fascinated by the divine appearance of the goddess Mookambika in one of his trips to the temple and gave up his weapons in front of her. He offered prayers to Devi with the gesture of ‘Salam’ and initiated the practice of the fabled “Salamarathi”.
Kollur, the Holiest Siddhi
The creation of the Mookambika Temple is attributed to Lord Parameshwara, the Supreme Being instead of the individual. According to the legend, in the midst of many centuries Shankaracharya, the great sage who was regarded as the embodiment of Lord Shiva was a visitor to Kollur Mookambika during his peregrination of Bharatha and, finding the place extremely sacred, he stayed there contemplating in the vicinity of the Swayambhu Lingam.
Mookambika appeared before him and granted him the blessing of becoming the greatest scholar of his day. Sage Shankaracharya was distressed by the lack of literacy, ignorance and superstitions, among other evils that were prevalent in the society of the time, asked goddess Mookambika to help him gain wisdom for the people around him and to make them more virtuous.
Mookambika said that all who come to her and offer prayers in dedication will be smart and be successful in their chosen area. To facilitate the common people Sage Shankaracharya established the Mookambika idol Mookambika in its present shape and also ordained the pooja rituals in the temple. It is believed that Sri Shankaracharya wrote the song “Soundarya Lahari” at Mookambika Temple.
This temple has been favoured by a variety of kings from the past who gave precious jewels and jewellery for Lord Sri Kollur Mookambika and they are still in the hands of her. Numerous other Kings have given immovable and moveable property to the temple as Mookambika was thought as the state god back in the past.
In Skanda purana the Jyotirlinga at Sri Mookambika represents the fusion between Purusha as well as Prakruthi. A visit towards Mookambika Temple is equivalent to praying in a thousand temples. Legend claims that Sri Krishna together with Rukmini and Satyabhama attended Sambavratham at Kollur Mookambika Temple.
Indra, Suratha, Kashyapa, Bhargavarama, sage Shukracharya and Sage Brahaspathi Pradyumna Lokadithya Brahmana and Samadhi Vishya were some other famous epic figures that are believed to have purged in the Mookambika Temple and attained divinity. Nine-night (Navratri) celebration of the goddess draws worshippers from both their Saiva and Vaishnava Traditions of the sect centred on the male gods that are Shiva and Vishnu as well as Vishnu.
Resonant Reminiscence
Historically, it is believed that the area was home to a sect of Shaakthas known as Kaulas. That was the way in which this location became known as Kolapura and later Kollur. The Kings from Hosangadi were ruling Kollur and were staunch followers of Kollur and Sri Mookambika. Venkanna Savantha, a dynasty from this time, created the temple’s stone structure in the 11th century A.D. Chieftains from Barkur were also avid devotees of Mookambika and also made a myriad of endowments for the Mookambika temple.
The period of the The King Virupaksha at Vijayanagar the Pandarideva savantha was in his reign from Barkur in his reign, the Mookambika Temple became very famous. Kollur Mookambika was the patron god of the Keladi Kings.
A poet by the name of Linganna Kavi had written a book called “Keladi Nrupa Vijaya” in 1750 A.D. and this book has numerous mentions of Kollur Mookambika Temple. A precious palm-sized gem was presented the deity Mookambika by Queen Chennammaji of the Keladi dynasty. It is one of the most stunning ornaments of the god today.
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Keladi Venkatappa Nayak presided over special poojas, festivals and rites of passage on Mookambika Temple. Mookambika Temple and directed that his people from different locations (seeme) should come to Mookambika at important times.
Keladi Veerabhadra Nayaka was married to his wife Kollurammaji. These kings gave vast areas of Mookambika’s land. They also set up various ceremonies in the temple. St. Vadiraja of Udupi had been to Kollur Sri Mookambika and written poems in her honour.
Maharajas from Mysore as well as Travancore were admirers of Mookambika and had offered extremely valuable gold ornaments to the Mookambika temple. Jayachamarajendra Vodeyar of Mysore and Chithira Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore were both present at the Mookambika temple and conducted special rituals of poojas.
Tippu Sultan from Mysore was a visitor to the temple, and the special “Mangala Arthi (Deeparadhana)” was held at his direction. This pooja continues to this day and is known as “Salam Mangalarathi” which follows the main pooja in the evening session.
