Kollur Mookambika - Mukti Sthala of Karnataka

► Kollur (Mookambika) (Mukti Sthala of Karnataka)
(Udupi district, Karnataka)

☗ Kodachadri Hills foothills
▬ River Souparnika flows
(Karnataka Ghats)

• Devi: Devi abides in Kollur (a Mukti Sthala of Karnataka) as Devi Mookambika due to making demon Kamhasura dumb (mooka) when the demon was about to ask for the boon of immortality from Lord Shiva.
- Kollur Mookambika Temple

• Legend of Devi Mookambika: According to legend, Devi made demon Kamhasura dumb (mooka) when the demon was about to ask for the boon of immortality from Lord Shiva after performing a severe penance. Thereafter the demon came to be known as Mookasura (or the dumb asura). Kamhasura was enraged due to this and started harassing the devas and the rishis. When he troubled Kola Rishi who was performing penance, the rishi prayed to the Devi for deliverance. The Devi appeared before the rishi in response to his ardent prayers and fought a terrible battle with Kamhasura. Devi slayed Kamhasura. Kola Rishi then requested Devi to stay there permanently. Thus Devi made Kollur Her abode and came to be known as Mookambika.

• The Idol: The main idol of the temple is in the form of a Linga which is divided into two halves by a swarna rekha (golden line). One half represents the Tri-Devis and the other half the Tri-Devas. The idol of Devi Mookambika is in the center behind the Linga. On either sides are idols of Durga and Saraswati.