Sri Kollur Mookambika Temple

At the foot of the Western Ghats, on the banks of river Sauparnika is a temple dedicated to the Divine Power of Goddess Shakti. Known as Sri Kollur Mookambika Temple, it is situated on the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka.

The main idol in the temple is the Shiva Linga called Jyothirlingam. The image of the Goddess Shakti was installed by Adi Sankara (Sri Sankaracharya), the great Indian philosopher who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita (non-dualism) Vedanta, a sub-school of Vedanta.

Legend
Skanda Purana says about the glory of this place, where  Kola Rishi (a sage) undertook severe penance as a result of which a linga appeared at that spot. Lord Shiva advised him to worship this linga and told him that in due course, Goddess Shakti would manifest in  this place. Later on goddess Adi Shaki, who waged war with the demon Mookasura and brought about his destruction, was glorified by the gods as Mookambika.           

Kollur is regarded as one of the seven pilgrimage centres or Mukthi Sthamas in Karnataka. The sacred shrine of Mookambika is located in the foothills of Kudajadri.