Mookambika temple is an ancient temple located at Kollur in Karnataka. This temple is very well known among the people of Tamilnadu and the goddess Parvathi is called in Tamil as Thai Mookambika. About 135 Kms from Mangalore and 80 Kms from Udupi, in the valley of Kodachadri peak of Western Ghats nestles a serene town Kollur where the very famous Mookambika Temple is seated on the banks of the never drying river Sauparnika This attractive Mookambika temple with gold plated crest and copper roofs attracts thousands of devotees. The temple is dedicated to Mookambika and stands on a spur of the Kodachadri peak. It is the only temple that is dedicated to goddess Parvathi and believed to be created by Parashurama.
The Goddess Mookambika is in the form of Jyotir-Linga incorporating both Shiva and Shakthi. A golden line divides this linga into two unequal parts and is visible only in the light of reflected sunlight pointed at the linga. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, Parvathi and Saraswathi have all merged in the left side and the Lord Parameshwara, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma resides in the right side of the Linga The Panchaloha image (five element mixed metal) of the Goddess on Shree Chakra is stated to have been consecrated by Adi shankaracharya during his visit to this place. There is an exquisite sculpture of Panchamukha Ganesha.
Mookambika is said to have appeared before Aadi Sankara here, and he is said to have installed her image at this shrine. There is a room near the sanctum - enshrining the Sankara Simhasanam which is regarded as the very spot where he meditated and had a vision of Mookambika. Mookambika is regarded as a manifestation of Shakti, Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi. As we move in a pradakshina at the outer enclosure, we first find Subrahmanya swamy, then Saraswathi and then Pranalingeshwara, Partheshwara, the deity of Mukhya Prana (with a bell on the tail) installed by Vadiraja, Vishnu Brindavana, a beautiful idol of Gopalakrishna within the Brindaana (Considered as upa-pradhana Devatha), the platform for Tulasi and then the temple of Veerabhadraswamy who is the presiding deity. Entrance to this shrine being made of wood, we may see an excellent image, of Nrutya Ganapathi, right at the centre of the arch. It is said that the deity of Mukhya Prana has been situated right opposite the Veerabhadraswamy shrine with a view to balance its frightful appearance
Here pooja practices are based on two disciplines- one as per vathula, which is one of the 28 vedas of Shaivagama, and which includes the rituals of Bali (sacrifice); secondly, as per Vijaya yagama Shastra. The five different poojas performed at the temple everyday are during Dantadavana (brushing the teeth), morning, afternoon, evening (pradhosha) and night. Pradosha Pooja is also called as "Salam Mangalarathi".Of the various festivals and other celebrations held at the temple, "Sharannavarathri" which is held usually during October, and "Brahma Rathotsava" held usually in the month of March are both very prominently observed.
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