DEVI MOOKAMBIGAI
First Verse of Soundarya Lahari..........
Shivah Shakthya Yukto Yadi Bhavati Shaktah Prabhavitum
Na Chedevam Devo Na Khalu Kusalah Ahspanditum Abi
Athasth Tvam Aradhyam Hari-Hara-Virinchadibhir Api
Pranantum Stotum Vaa Katham Akrta-Punyah Prabhavati....
Shiva united with Shakti becomes able to manifest
If otherwise, this God knows not even how to pulsate.
How then could one of ungained merit be able to bow to, or even praise
One such as you, adored by Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.
How then could one of ungained merit be able to bow to, or even praise
One such as you, adored by Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.
This opening verse squarely poses the paradox of life. Sanskritic literary convention requires that the beginning of any work must indicate:
- the subject matter or content of the work,
- the context of the work, i.e. where it belongs in relation to other disciplines and kinds of literature,
- the overall purpose of the work,
- the type of person to whom the work will correctly apply.
These requirements are correctly kept in mind by Sankara in this opening verse of the "Saundarya Lahari".
Mookambika Temple History......
Mookambika temple is located at Kollur, Karnataka. This is an ancient temple that has a lot of history attached to it. The temple can be reached easily from the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. One can take a train or bus ride to reach to this temple. Mookambika temple is approximately 135 Km away from Mangalore. This famous temple is exactly situated on the foot of Western Ghats. Thousands of devotees from all over India come to visit this temple. There are lots of things to talk about this particular temple, especially about Kollur Mookambika temple history. Gold plated crest and copper roofs pose to be the main attractions of this temple. Lying in the Kundapur region of the state of Karnataka, this temple is quite an attraction to people.......... The never drying river Sauparnika lies just beside the Mookambika temple.
According to Mookambika temple history, this temple is the only one that is dedicated to Parvathi, the Goddess. The creation of this temple is believed to have been done by Parashurama. People of Tamil Nadu especially take much interest in this temple. Parvathi is called Thai Mookambika in Tamil. So, we can guess how the temple has been named. History has it that Parvathi had killed Kamsasuran who has become powerful through his penance while staying there. Veerabadra, Shiva and Ganapathi helped the Goddess successfully to make Kamsasura dumb. This is how he started to be called Mookasuran. This name was given to him because 'mooka' means dumb. Eventually, Parvathi killed him with her chakra. This incident took place in the night of Shukla Ashtami. After this, devi came to be popularly known as Kollur Devi Mookambika. The divine energy of the devi came to be worshipped with the lingam by Kola Maharishi. When you visit the temple, you will be able to see this lingam as the main deity. Worshippers call this Jyothirlingam. To be precise, Devi Mookambika endorses four arms and three eyes. In her hands, she has the divine disc and conch.
Well, Kollur Mookambika history can be traced back to nearly 1200 years ago. It is said that the Goddess Saraswati of learning and wisdom received extreme worship from the highly esteemed spiritual leader, Adi Shankara. Devi Saraswati appeared before him, acknowledging the prayers. Adi Shankara avowed his wish to Devi, pleading her to put her presence in Kerela where there was still no temple in her respect. Devi Saraswati accepted his wish based on one condition that Adi Shankara would have to lead her way to the destination. On the way, he cannot doubt and look back to confirm her presence even for one time. The moment he fails to keep this condition, Devi will just stop and remain exactly where she would be at that moment.
However, the condition was accepted by Shankara and they started their journey down the Kodachari hills. Shakara led the way and tinkling sound of the goddess kept him canny. Suddenly, the tinkling sound disappeared after they walked several distances. After waiting for some time, Shankara turned back to take a quick note of the goddess who watched him with reprove. On the basis of the condition, Devi Saraswati stopped at that very moment and place. But without losing all hopes, Shankara effusively apologized for failing to keep the condition and consistently pleaded and begged the goddess to come along with him. The goddess was ultimately very impressed to see his determination and she agreed to go with him. She would be present in Kerela at Chottanikkara Temple in the mornings and return to Kollur Mookambika temple by midday. The history of Mookambika temple is really vast and there are yet many things to decipher.
The water of river Souparnika is considered sacred and is used in various auspicious rituals. The water of this river is particularly considered to be holy and pure. There is even a short Mookambika temple Kollur history of the river as well. It is said that an eagle called Suparna had performed penance and finally attained salvation. So, this is how the river got its name Sauparnika. When one visits this place, taking a dip is really a pure feeling and very enriching. It is considered to be a must to take the dip before heading inside the temple.
Kollur Mookambika temple history gets further strengthened with the significance of Swayambhulinga. Parameshwara was taken to have drawn the Srichakra with the help of his toe. Kola Maharshi indulged in the long-lasting penance in this place. This is the source of meditation which got spread to other parts of the world. Sri Chakra Bindu has a more tangible form which is the Udhbhava linga. This is said to have the proximity of all the Gods possible. The point of significance here is that the Devi has evolved with the help of this lingam and is known to fulfill the desire of the devotees. There is a golden line that has become wide on the left side of the Lingam.
The other pilgrimages constitute the temples of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya and others, Mookambika temple is the only temple that is devoted to Parvathi. Mookambika temple is one of the most auspicious shrines for Hindus. This temple has emerged to be the holiest of Siddhi Kshethras in the entire world today. When we are talking about divine powers, this is the right temple to visit.
Mookambika Temple some of the treasure.....
Mookambika Temple has a treasure of immense golden jewels, diamonds etc. Those were offerings made by various kings to the mother Goddess. For example a rare green stone of incalculable value was gifted by Keladi kings some 600 years ago, Navarathna necklace was presented by the Maharaja of Mysore, ruby necklace was presented by the king of Travancore, golden sword weighing 1.1 kg with a silver sheath was gifted by Ex Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu late M.G. Ramachandran, devotees contributed to the golden chariot made out of 80 kg gold, yet another recent addition of diamond studded crown and palms, worth more than one crore rupees, was presented by renowned music director Dr. Ilayaraja and like that there are many other items donated by the devotees from time to time.
Legend of Mookambika Temple...
There are many legends related to the temple of Mookambika. One such Mookambika legend story is that there lived a demon called Kamhasura who had a boon from Lord Shiva. This boon was that Kamhasura couldn't be killed by any male. But unfortunately, the demon started misusing the powers and caused several troubles for the Gods and sages. This includes the disrupting of the penance of Sage Kola who was in the middle of performing rituals to the Siva Lingam. Out of anger, Sage Kola prayed to the Goddess Parvathi who incarnated as Thrisoolanayaki. Kamhasura by this time knew that his end was near. And, this was to be done by a woman. He tried to get favors from Lord Shiva so that he can get rid of this curse but instead the Goddess punished him by taking away his speech ability. Much later, Parvathi killed the demon with the help of Veerabhadra.
Kollur got its name after the name of Sage Kola who was guided by Lord Shiva the Swarnarekha Lingam. Lord Shiva indicated to the Sage when he asked how is it possible to worship the Lingam without the presence of a Goddess, that there is the combination of three Goddesses on the left side of the Lingam. Among the epic characters that went through penance at this temple are Suratha, Indra, Kashyapa, Sage Shukracharya, Bhargavarama, Pradyumna, Samadhi Vaishya, Lokadithya Brahmana. Saraswati who is one part of Mookambika is worshipped for being the Goddess of education as well as fine arts. Students come along with their parents to visit this temple for accomplishing great heights in education.
The Goddess in the temple of Mookambika constitutes two forms of power. She is considered to be the combination of Shiva and Shakti. When Adi Shankaracharya visited this place, he consecrated this image of Parvathi by using five elements of mixed metal. Out of the seven Muktislala pilgrimage sites situated in Karnataka, Kollur is regarded one of the most important. The other important locations are Udupi, Kumbasi, Subrahmanya, Kodeshwara, Gokarna and Sankaranarayana.
As already mentioned, Adi Shankara has quite a close connection with this temple of Mookambika history. There is a room within the temple where it is believed to have been the meditation area of Adi Shankara. During this period, he had a vision of the auspicious Mookambika. According to sources, Mookambika constitutes the powers of Saraswati, Mahalakshmi and Shakti.
Story of Mookambika Kollur Devi......
There are several short connecting stories related to Kollur Mookambika temple. As per a Mookambika story, during Navarathri, parents used to come with their children to hand over letters to be given to the Goddess Saraswati. The temple came into being during the reign of Chirackal Dynasty of kannur. Due to some health problems within the royal family and ultimately the temple of Mookambika was handed over to Namboodris. This family was engaged in the day to day worship and rituals of the temple. "Payoor bhagavathi" was the Goddess that the Namboodris brought with them to the temple. Mookambika temple in Kollur is also known to have connection with agriculture. The farmers are highly dedicated to paying their respects to this temple. Thiruvadhura kali which is a dance form of Kerala is celebrated within the premises of this temple in between the months of December-January. The temple surely gets all decorated with the festive mood.
Rituals of the Mookambika Temple.....
In the state of Karnataka, Mookambika temple has gathered a renowned status because of its unique features and aesthetics. Not only India but also visitors from all over the world come here to witness the spectacular Mookambika temple. Priests who are engaged in the work of the temple make sure that the ritual bathing and prayers to the idol are done well.
While rituals such as abhisheka and aradana are performed to the Lingam only, decoration is the only ritual which is performed to the idol of Mookambika temple. During Navarathri, the nine days are celebrated in a grand manner. There is decoration all over the temple. There takes place the hoisting on Panguni Uthram in the month of Panguni. There are mainly two practices regarding the rituals of this temple. One practice takes place according to vathula. This is one of the twenty eight Vedas of Shaivagama and includes sacrificial rituals like Bali. The other ritual takes place as per Vijaya yagama Shastra.
The five poojas that take place every day at the temple are Dantadavana or brushing of teeth, morning, afternoon, pradhosha or evening and night. The evening pooja is known as "Salam Mangalarathi". As per the history of Kollur Mookambika, Tipu Sultan once paid visit to this place during the evening pooja and witnessed Mangalarathi and was very impressed to see the Devi. He offered a"salaam" to the devi and that is how the name was given. Since the Goddess is the embodiment of divine powers, she can be worshipped in any form. According to Skanda Purana, the jyothirlingam of Mookambika is the culmination of Prakruthi and Purusha. Pilgrims consider that visiting and praying in this temple is equal to praying at other thousand temples.
Generally devotees can have darshan between 5a.m and 1p.m. in forenoon session and between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m in the night session. The temple has a flexible time schedule. Male pilgrims cannot enter the inner periphery of the temple wearing shirt or hats or lungis.
How to Reach Mookambika Devi Temple......
Mookambika temple being a famous pilgrimage spot in the south of Western Ghats has transport facility from all over Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
By Air.....
The Airport close to the temple is Mangalore International Airport. One can avail pre-paid taxis from the airport to Kollur. It is approximately 150 kms from the airport and can be reached in three-four hours.
By Rail.....
The nearest railway station is at Bijoor (BIJR) 20 km away from Kollur and Kundapura station at 40 km from Kollur. You can easily get taxis from the station to Kollur. The stations have waiting rooms for passengers.
By Road......
Kollur is connected by road from major cities such Shimoga, Mangalore, and Bangalore. It is a three-hour journey from Mangalore by bus. Direct buses are also available from Shimoga and Sagara and some other near places as well.
SREE MATHA MOOKAMBIKAI RAKSHAMAM
J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA
"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE
WE BREATHE TO THINK"
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