Kollur | temple, town

 temple, town

 Upload a photo

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 Agnitheertha. 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 Linga, signifying Shakti. Thus, Shiva and Shakti are worshipped together in the Linga. 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 Shankara Acharya had a vision of Sri Mookambika Devi and installed the deity here.The legend goes, that Adi Shankara meditated at Kudajadri hills and Devi incarnated before him asking for his wish. He revealed his wish to incorporate Devi to a place in Kerala to worship where he wanted.Devi agreed and put forward a challenge that she will follow Shankara and he should not look back until he reaches his destination. But to test Shankara, Devi deliberately stopped the sound of her ornamets when they reached Kollur, and Shankara turned back because of doubt. Devi then asked Shankara to install her vigraha as he sees her.

[edit] Places of interest
Mookambika Temple
Devotees from all over South India visit this temple. Kollur is believed to be one of the seven pilgrimage centres created by Parashurama, a Hindu mythological figure. The temple is devoted to the Hindu goddess Parvathi, wife of Shiva. While the other pilgrimage centres created by Parashurama are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya and Lord Ganesha, this is the only one devoted to goddess Parvathi.
Arishina Gundi Water falls

Scenic waterfall inside the deep jungle only approachable by trekking and due to the special effect of sun rays falling on the water droplets around the waterfall it looks orange/yellow the name is Arishina (Turmeric/yellow).
Kodachadri Mountain on Western Ghats
Adi Sri Shakthi Mookambika Temple is on the top of mountain believed to be the real abode of Devi from where Adi Shankara re-established it at foothills at Kollur.
Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is world Wildlife Fund Aided. This sanctuary is home for endangered species animal called Lion tailed monkey.
Spread along the Kundapur-Kollur- Shimoga road, this sanctuary is generally off the tourist map.

[edit] How to reach Kollur

A view of Kollur village (wall of the temple is on the left)Kollur is around 36 km from Kundapur, the taluk head quarters. From Kundapur, one can take three different routes to reach Kollur.

One route is via Tallur-Hattiangadi-Karkunje-Vandse.
Second route via Hemmadi-Vandse and third one is via Byndoor.
However, the shortest route is through Hemmady. On the National Highway 17, after around 7 km from Kundapur, at Hemmady one has to take right deviation to reach Kollur.
The nearest railway station is Kundapura (40 km) where a few long-distance trains halt. You can get taxis from the station. The station has a waiting room for the passengers. Railway Station Phone no: +91-8254-237365.
The nearest Airport is Mangalore International Airport ( Bajpe )flights are operated by Air India Express. There are pre-paid taxi to kollur from Airport and it is a 3 hours drive or approximately 150 kilometre.

Kollur is a 2 hour drive from Udupi, so a visit to Udupi can include Kollur. The drive is a very scenic one.


[edit] See also
Comprehensive information on Udupi
Mookambika temple
Basrur
1.before going to Kollur, you will get a railway from that u take a left turn (if you are coming from Kundapura city via Hemmady route to Kollur) and travel for about an about 10 minutes and you will get a very beautiful river covered by coconut tree on its both banks. It is an excellent location and should see it on standing on bridge.

2.In between Hemmady and Kundapura you will get a haladi hole. The place is called herikudru the view of the sunset is very beautiful and excellent.

Retrieved from "en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kollur"