Kollur

For the village named Kollur in Guntur district, see Kollur, Guntur district.

Kollur Kollapura
—  village  —
Sri Kollur Mookambika Temple
Kollur Location of Kollur in Karnataka and India
Coordinates	13°41′56″N 74°48′42″E
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District(s)	Udupi
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Codes • Pincode • 576220 • Telephone • +08254
Website	www.kollur.com

Inside view of the Kollur Mookambika temple

Kolluru (Kannada: ಕೊಲ್ಲೂರು) is a tiny hamlet situated about 37 kilometres (23 mi) from Kundapur Town, about 133 kilometres (83 mi) away from Mangalore City in Karnataka state in the southern part of India. This village lies at the foot of the Western Ghats and is famous for the Mookambika temple, a Hindu pilgrim center.

Kollur also called Kollapura, about 42 km north-east of Kundapur town and one of the important places of pilgrimage in Karnataka State has a temple dedicated to Mookambika.

The goddess is called Mookambika as she is said to have slain the demon Mookasura. The goddess is described as in the form of a jyotirlinga incorporating both Shiva and Shakti. The panchaloha image of the goddess on Shri Chakra is stated to have been consecrated by Shri Adi Shankaracharya. The Divine Mother is said to be a manifestation of trigunas or triple forms. The shikhara of the temple which is well gilded with gold is said to have been donated by Sankanna Savantha. Around the chief shrine of Mookambika, there are many other shrines.

The idol of Chandramaulishvara is said to have been installed by Shri Adi Shankara. The temple has been renovated by Keladi rulers. The temple of Mookambika and other shrines attract a large number of pilgrims from other states too.

Myths and legends

Kollur is an important seat of Shakti worship. The temple is rich in puranic lore.

Legend goes that a Maharishi (monk) Kola was enchanted with nature’s beauty and decided to perform a penance on a rock near the Agnitheertham. Lord Shiva, delighted with Kola, appeared before him and blessed him. The Maharishi wished for the welfare of mankind and nothing else. The Lord, happy with Kola, granted him his wish. He assured that a swayambu (autogenetic) Linga would appear for his daily worship. However, Kola wanted to worship Devi also. So, a swarna rekha (gold line) appeared on the Lingam, signifying Shakti. Thus, Shiva and Shakti are worshipped together in the Lingam. Besides this, a unique feature is that the other Gods and Goddess of the Hindu pantheon also believed to reside in aroopa (non-form) in the Linga. It is thus believed to be an abode of the entire celestial congregation.

It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya had a vision of Sri Mookambika Devi and installed the deity here. The legend goes that Adi Shankara meditated at Kodachadri hills and Devi incarnated before him asking for his wish. He revealed his wish to install the Devi idol in a place in Kerala to worship where he wanted. Devi agreed but put forward a challenge that she will follow Shankara and he should not look back till he reaches his destination. But to test Shankara, Devi deliberately stopped the voice of her anklets when they reached Kollur whereupon Shankara turned and looked back because of doubt. Devi then asked Shankara to install her vigraha, just as he sees her, at that very location in Kollur.

Places of interest

• Shri Mookambika Devi Temple
  • Devotees from all over South India visit this temple. Kollur is believed to be one of the seven pilgrim centres created by Parashurama, a Hindu mythological figure. The temple is devoted to the Hindu goddess Parvathi, wife of Shiva. While the other pilgrimages created by Parashurama are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya and Lord Ganesha, this is the only one devoted to goddess Parvathi.
• Anegudde Vinayaka Temple
  • One of famous temple of undivided South Kanara District. Located southern side of Kundapura on NH66 (From Kundapura Bus-stand 7 Km and Kundpura Station ~10 km). God Siddhi Vinayaka or Sarva Siddhi Pradaayaka will grant and fulfill his devotees’ wishes. People believe in him that he will solve their problems and hence the place is known as “Mukti Stalas” which means “Place where you can attain Salvation”. The garba griha or the main sanctum has the Lord Vinayaka in Chaturbuja (with 4 arms) in huge rock like structure covered in silver armour. Two arms are posing as “Varada Hasta” granting boons, and two hands indicate to attain salvation. There are many sculptures related to Bhargava Purana. One should definately visit this place.
• Arishna Gundi Waterfalls
  • A scenic waterfall inside the deep jungle only approachable by trekking. Due to the special effect of the sun's rays falling on the water droplets around the waterfall, it looks orange-yellow in colour and so the name is "Arishna" (Turmeric/Yellow).
• Kodachadri Mountain in the Western Ghats
  • Adi Sri Shakthi Mookambika Temple is on the top of the mountain believed to be the real abode of Devi from where Adi Shankara re-established it at the foothills at Kollur.
• Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is aided by the World Wildlife Fund. This sanctuary is home to an endangered species called the Lion tailed monkey.
  • Spread along the Kundapur-Kollur-Shimoga road, this sanctuary is generally off the tourist map.

• Sigandur is famous for the temple of Goddess Chaudeshwari. It is situated at a distance of 45 km from Kollur where a diversion from Kollur-Shimoga Road has to be taken at Nagodi.

How to reach Kollur

A view of Kollur village (wall of the temple is on the left)

Kollur is around 37 kilometres (23 mi) from Kundapur, the taluk headquarters. From Kundapur, one can take three different routes to reach Kollur.

• One route is via Tallur-Hattiangadi-Karkunje-Vandse
• The second route is via Hemmadi-Vandse
• The third route is via Baindur (Byndoor)
• However, the shortest route is through Hemmady. On the National Highway 17, after around 7 kilometres (4 mi) from Kundapura, at Hemmady one has to take a right deviation to reach Kollur.

Railway Stations:

• Byndoor (Mookambika Road Station - BYNR) is the nearest station to Kollur, road distance is ~28km. From railway station to Byndoor catch rickshaw & from Byndoor to Kollur private bus facility is there. Other option is private taxi from Byndoor or from the railway station. Big disadvantage of Byndoor station is its located remote area and there is risk of getting facilities during night hours.
• Kundapura (KUDA) is another nearer railway station and road distance to Kollur is ~38km. Station has good waiting room/hall and even Kundapura city is nearby so that it is safer if you reach in night hours. From Kundapura there are plenty of private express buses are available(every 15 min) to Kollur. Plenty of private taxies are also available from the station. Nearest route to Kollur from the station is via Basrur-Gulvady Vended Dam Bridge (Kundapura Station-Basrur-Gulvadi Vented Dam Bridge-Neralkatte-Vandse-Kollur), its lesser than 35km journey. Railway Station telephone number: +91-8254-237365.

Airport: The nearest Airport is Mangalore International Airport at Bajpe. There are pre-paid taxis to Kollur from the airport and it is a three-hours drive or approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi).

Kollur is a two-hour drive from Udupi, so a visit to Udupi can include Kollur. The drive is a very scenic one.

By road, Kollur can be reached via Shimoga or via Mangalore when coming from Bangalore. There are bus services available in these routes. Buses are also operated between Kollur and Chennai, Sringeri and Guruvayur.

Scenic Locations on the way to Kollur

• On the way to Kollur, you will come across a railway crossing; from there you can take a left turn (i.e. if you are coming from Kundapura city via Hemmady route to Kollur) and travel for about 10 minutes whereupon you will have to cross a very beautiful river covered by coconut trees on both its banks. It is an excellent location and one should see it standing on the bridge.

• Between Hemmady and Kundapura, there is a place known as Haladi Hole. The place is called Herikudru; the view of the sunset from here, is very beautiful.

See also

• Mookambika temple
• Basrur

External links

• Comprehensive information on Udupi
• Kodachadri trek
• Karnataka tourism
• 360 degree virtual tour of Kollur Sree Mookambika Devi Temple