Kolapura “Adi Mahalakshmi, popularly known as, “Sri Kollur Mookambika”, is an Ancient, Sacred, Sri Kshethra, a fomous ‘Siddi Kshethra’, whose puranic lore runs back to millenniums.

It is an enchanting place in the midst of a thick forest, encircled by mountain ranges all-round, with fine natural scenic beauty, whose physical setting is like a ‘Sri Chakra’, true to the presiding Deity at the centre.

Here is a self-manifested “Jyothirmaya Lingam” with a “Suvarna Rekha” a golden line in the middle with the ‘Left’ portion, slightly bigger than the ‘Right’, denoting the predominance of “Shakthi”, and with a Sri Chakra inscribed by Eswara Himself;

“Jyothischakrasana Mukhya Peethasthai Namo Namaha”

“Srikanta Kliptha Srichakra Madhyasthai Namo Namaha”

Thus manifests the Supreme Mother of the Universe as “Shiva Shakthiswarupini” with all the thirty three crore Devatha Mahimas, as Marthya Loka Nivasini with Ambavana, in the nearby Kodachadri, as Her Sportive ground.

 Neither the money bag with its millions, nor the Crown with its thorns: nor the flirting damsel, with her drifting loyalties, can give peace to man, save the shelter and solace of “Mother of Mothers”

 Sri Adi Shankaracharya come to this famous Siddi Kshethra, did penance and attained Ashta Siddis. He consecrated the Asta Vigraha, made up of ‘Pancha Lohas and installed it on a Sri Chakra. He also laid down the Puja Krama, according to Vijaya Agama Shastra which is being following even todays. Sri Shankaracharya after having the Darsan of self-manifested’ Jyothirlingam here remarked.

“Swarna Rekankitham Lingam Nasthi Nasthi Jagathrye”

“Vama Bhagadhikam Lingam Nabhutho Nabhavishathi”

 In the outer prakaram is Sri Veerbhadra Swami temple. He is Kshetra pala and Archanas and Aarathis are conducted here immediately after that of Devi Bhasmarchanam to this Detyredeems Balagraha peeda and other Graha Doshas

 Every day ‘Chandika Homes’ are being performed by devotees as ‘Sevas’ for the welfare of themselves and for ‘Lola Kalyana and there are three ‘Homa Kundas’ for the purpose.

 On the other side of the outer prkaram is Sri Subramanay Swami Temple. ‘Skanda’ after hearing Maha Mahima of this Kshethra from his father, Eswara Himself came down to this Kshethra and worshipped the Devi and dedicated His Mahima also for the benefit of the devotees In honour of his visit, this Shrine is dedicated, in memory of his worship at this temple.

A similar shrine, in memory of Sri Krishna’s visit to this temple exists in the outskirts of Kollur, where Sri Krishna camped with Rukmini and Sathya-Bhama, and performed, Shambhavi Vratham, for three days.

By the side of Subramanya Swami temple, there is Saraswathi Mantap where Maha Saraswathi Aspect of Devi an Utsav Vigraha is brought in procession round the inner and outer Prakarams for three times, to Saraswathi Mantap and Placed on a special pedestal. Various kinds of Sevas of fine arts are conducted. Artists from far-off places come here and dedicate their ‘Lalitha Kalas’ to Devi and demonstrate their talents with the belidf that it would improve thousand time, by the Grace of the Devin Mother, the presiding Diety of all Lalitha Kalas.

Raja Ravi Varma, a famous artist, painter, stayed here for 20 days and dedicated his paintings to the Devi and thereby become world famous. Guru Gopinath of Bharatha natya fame, Sri Chambai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and many other great artist received their blessings her, at this ‘Ssaraswathi Mantap.

There is Chowdeswari temple, within the temple campus and Diety is known as Kshethra Palani. Devotees take Harikes here, for the fulfillment of their mundance desires.

There are many valuable jewels in the temple, and the Devi is decorated during her Alankara Puja, and the preserved in the strong room of the temple treasury. Devi’s necklace has a pendent made of Emerald, weighing 70 carrest with vaidhurya lining all round, having a size of one’s palm, and is estimated to cost more than 50 lakhs. There are many Ratna Haramas and other valuable jewels in the temple.

The Divya Darshan of the self manifested Jothirmaya Lingam is the most important item for the piligirms. In the morning, after 8-00A.M. after Abhisheka and other Poojas, Sun’s rays are reflected and focused on the Lingam, through a mirror from outside and the Suvarna Rekha running in the middle, is shown and explained. This Darshan of shiva-Shakthi Swarupini is important.

This Kshethra Majima is explained in four puranas and book for detailed study are available in temple, in Kannada and Malayalam In nearby Agraharams, there are palm-leaf ‘Manuscripts’ in ancient houses, pertaining to ‘Sri Vidya’-Yantra, Tantra and Mantra shastrans. The Kshethram is a great centre for ‘Sri Vidyopasakas’ in the south

A Sacred river Sowparnika, is flowing nearby with its crystal clear waters. It eminates from Koda chadri with 64 Punya Theerthas, 64 Divya Oushadas and four types of Sanjeevini, including ‘Mrutha Sanjeevini As it titlers through rare medicinal herbs, it has healing effect for many chronic eilments, and so this saced river is known as as Roga Nivarini as well as Papanashini.

A holy bath taken in this sacred river about one month, everyday both morning and evening, with deva Manthra Japa restores one’s health and has an exhilarating effect on the mind, and gives sublime satisfaction to the Soul. Sowparnika flows in the midest of fine natural sttings and provides a good feast to the eyes. In front of the temple, there is a sacred Theertha known as ‘Agni Theertha’, created by ‘Sri Vasishta Maharshi’, for the purpose of performing Japa and Sandhya.

Near by Kollur, there is a sacred mountain peak, known as ‘Kodachadri’; also known as ‘Sanjeevini Hills’, There is ‘Amba-Vana’, deep below the Thick forest, as Devi sportive ground. There is a Bhagavathi Temple, but it is visible only to Siddhas and Yogis, Devathas, Gan dharvas and Yakshas visit this temple during nights and chant Manthrams and sing celestial songs in praise of the Devi, as stated in the puranas.

On the top of the hill, there are two fine places known as Sarvajna Peetha and Chithra Moola where Adi Shankaracharya and many other Yogis practiced penance and atainede Yoga Siddhis. There are also a number of sacred Theerthas on the summit.

The whole atmosphere is full of spiritual Aura, and magnetic vibrations, conducive to spiritual sadhana. Tapa  and Yoga, and for Contemplation and Meditation. The aesthetic grandeur of sunrise and sunset, can be watched from this speak in ecstatic joy. There are two small  temple  on  the top, dedicated to Uma Maheswara and Kala Bhairavi.

At the outskirts of Kollur, there is a Siddeswara Temple and Shukla Theertha. While the Devi was fighting with ‘Mahishasura’ a drop of sweet fell from Devi’s body to the ground. Which sank deep underground piercing and thus brought fourth Patala Ganga as a jet spring, to give a cool bath to the Devi. The Sesha after this bath is known as Sukla Theertha; the sweet, sacred waters of Pathala Ganga, after sacred bath to the Devi, It is carried home by the Devotees as the sacred Theertha.

14 miles form Kollur, at the base of Kodachadri there is a sacred water fall known as Govinda Theertha, When a devotee goes nearby this sacred fall, and chants ‘Govinda’, ‘Govinda’, ‘Govinda’, three times, the fall diverts its course towards the Devotee, and showers Her sacred waters on his head. This is the experience of many ardent devotees and hance it is known as Govinda Theertha.

Out of 16 Shakthi peetas of Bharat, - Astadasa Peetas. Sri Kolpura Adi Maha Lakshmi is the chief amongst them Kolpuram Mahasthanam Yathra Lakshmini Sada Sthitha (Devi Bhagavatha).

Out of the Saptamahakshethras of Parashu Rama kshethra, sri Kollur Mookambika is one that confers spiritual salvation to Sadhakas, The other six are Gokarna, Udupi, Koteshwara, Shankaranarayana, Kumbakasi, and Subramanya.

Navakoti Maha Durga Samrutaii Namo Namaha

She is prathama Durga, Sri Durga Parameshwari Sri Rama came here at the instance of Agasthya Maharshi and performed Durga pooja before he set out to fight with Ravana, seeking the blessings of the Devi, for the victory in the battle field.

Shodashakshari Maha Mantra Mandraii Namo Namaha.

The 16 lettered Bijaksharimahamanthra of the Devi, known as Gowri Kumarika Maha Mantram is the ‘One’ that confers Siddhis to Sadakas. This Shodashakshari which contains 4 IM Bijaksharies, Mahasaraswathi, Vak Beejas confers Sankalpasiddhis to spiritual aspirants. Many Maharshis, Yogis and Siddhas did Tapas in this famous Siddi Kshethra, and attained many types of Yoga Siddhis.

Sri Mookambika is the presiding Deity for Mrutha Sanjeevini. Kacha, the son of Brushaspathi, at the request of Devas, came to Kodachadri to fetch Mrutha Sanjeevini to Devathas, to overpower Rakshasas.

Kacha here scarches for the sacred invisible herb chanting Devi Mantra and finally discovers it. Asta Bhairavas were protecting it. He chants Maha Bhairava Mantra and gets access to it. Hr picks it, bows in Reverence and dedicates it to Sri Mookambika Devi at the Shrine and takes it to Heaven and distributes it amongst Devathas.

Kodachadri, the sacred Sanjeevini Hills contains 64 Divya Oushadhas, very valuable medicinal herbas and 4 types of Sanjeevini, including Mrutha Sanjeevini at the peak. Sri Anjaneya at the suggestion of Sri Rama placed the two pieces of sanjeevini Hills after using it; one at Kodachadri and the other at ‘Baba Budangiri’, for the benefit of people in Kaliyuga.

For one week once a year, come away from the rigid routines of wordly life and its attachments, to the up of the Divine Mother, Seeks Her Blessings, Her shelter and solace and get elevated.

Sri Kollur Mookambika is in Westernghats, in the midst of a thick forest in Coondapur taluk of S.K. District. There are direct express buses from south, from Udupi and Mangalore, and form Sagar and Shimoga from north. There is a T.B., Temple, guest rooms, and other conveniences for residence.

The Kshethra Purohits entertain the devotees with all the facilities, like lodging, food and Tiffin, explains Kshethra mahima, and performs required sevas.

Adi Shankaracharya advised Keralites to have the Darshan of the Divine Mother at least once a year and be Blessed. Malayalees visit this Shrine in great numbers and specially during Navarathri, for sacred pujas. Sri Mookambika is the Kuladevatha and Malayala Bhagavathi, for these Shakthi Aradakas, and for Sadakas to attain various siddhis in Yantra, Tantra Mantra, Ayurveda, Jyothishya and other Shastras and Lalitha Kalas’.