Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple
ಶ್ರೀ ಮೂಕಾಂಬಿಕಾ ದೇವಾಲಯ
Goddess Mookambika (Shakti) · Kollur, Karnataka
Ancient
About the temple
One of the seven sacred Mukti Kshetras of Coastal Karnataka; consecrated at the foot of the Kodachadri mountain along the Souparnika River; unique shrine where the Jyotirlinga incorporates the Holy Trinity and Divine Mothers simultaneously; world-renowned for child education initiation (Vidyarambha). Traditional belief: Supreme excellence in speech, music, and learning; removal of speech impediments; curing of chronic ailments; grant of wealth and liberation.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 05:00 – 21:30
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Goddess Mookambika (Shakti)Lord ShivaGanesha Family
- Deity form
- Radiant Panchaloha idol of four-armed Goddess Mookambika seated behind the ancient self-manifested Jyotirlinga bisected by a golden line (Swarna Rekha)
- Religious tradition
- Vedic Shakta Agamic Tradition established by Adi Shankaracharya
- Sanskrit name
- श्री मूकाम्बिका मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Sri Mookambika Temple Kollur, Kolluru Ammana Gudi, Kodachadri Mookambika Peetham
Darshan hours
- Monday
- 05:00 AM - 01:30 PM, 03:00 PM - 09:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 05:00 AM - 01:30 PM, 03:00 PM - 09:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 05:00 AM - 01:30 PM, 03:00 PM - 09:30 PM
- Thursday
- 05:00 AM - 01:30 PM, 03:00 PM - 09:30 PM
- Friday
- 05:00 AM - 02:00 PM, 03:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday
- 05:00 AM - 02:00 PM, 03:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Sunday
- 05:00 AM - 02:00 PM, 03:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Break timings
- 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM (Sanctum closed for Alankara)
- Special days
- Sharad Navaratri, Annual Rathotsava: 04:00 AM - 11:30 PM
- Festival timings
- Temple remains open continuously till 11:30 PM during Navaratri and major festivals
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 07:30 AM
- Midday aarti
- 12:30 PM
- Evening aarti
- 06:30 PM
- Night aarti
- 08:30 PM
- Special aarti days
- Fridays, Tuesdays, Moola Nakshatram, Vijayadashami, Purnima
- Ritual schedule
- Nitya Ksheerabhishekam to Jyotirlinga, Sri Chakra Navavarana Puja, Suhasini Puja, Chandika Homam, Vidyarambha, Rathotsava, Kashaya Theertha distribution
- Pooja timings
- 05:30 AM - 01:30 PM, 03:30 PM - 09:00 PM
- Abhishek timings
- 06:00 AM - 07:30 AM, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya; rebuilt and endowed by Keladi King Venkatappa Nayaka and Halagappa Nayaka
- Architect / builder
- Master traditional wood and granite sthapathis of coastal Malnad
- Construction materials
- Solid dressed granite, gold-plated shikhara dome, carved teakwood, and copper roof cladding
- Historical events
- Tipu Sultan offered special worship here and instituted the nightly "Salam Aarti" which continues to this day; Keladi rulers gifted priceless emerald and gold ornaments
- Renovations
- Protected and renovated under Karnataka Religious Endowments (Muzrai) Department and Temple Management Committee
- Archaeological importance
- Ancient sacred Peetham preserving precious epigraphs, gold jewelry vaults, and manuscript archives
- Legends
- Goddess Parvati struck mute (Mooka) the demon Kamasura and vanquished him as Mookambika; Adi Shankaracharya brought the Goddess from Kodachadri to Kollur
- Inscriptions
- Multiple stone and copper plate grants from Keladi Nayakas, Vijayanagara kings, and local chieftains
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Ancient foundations with 16th - 17th Century CE expansions
- Structure
- Spacious walled temple township featuring gold-plated central vimana, broad cloistered courtyards, Shankaracharya Sankalpa hall, and Souparnika river ghats
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Dravidian style entrance Rajagopuram and a dazzling gold-plated Vimana shikhara above the main sanctum
- Mandapa
- Pillared Mukhamandapa and covered circumambulatory cloister (Paulya) with heavy granite pillars
- Sculptural features
- Swayambhu Jyotirlinga divided by a golden line representing Shiva-Shakti; radiant golden murti of Mookambika Devi; Shankara Peetham
- Artistic elements
- Intricate ceiling wood-carvings of Ashtalakshmi, embossed silver sanctum doors, and gold ornaments
- Construction technique
- Interlocking granite block masonry engineered to resist torrential coastal rainforest monsoons
- Unique features
- The famous "Kashaya Theertha"—a medicinal herbal brew of ginger, pepper, and jaggery distributed nightly to devotees, prepared according to Adi Shankara’s recipe
Festivals & events
- Festival calendar
- Ashwayuja Navaratri, Chaitra Rathotsava
- Special celebration days
- Every Friday, Tuesday, Moola Nakshatra (Saraswati Puja), Purnima
- Cultural events
- Grand classical music concerts (frequented by legends like K.J. Yesudas), classical dance recitals, and Yakshagana
- Annual events
- Kollur Mookambika Maha Rathotsavam drawing over 300,000 pilgrims across Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu
- Peak crowd season
- Throughout the year; peak during Navaratri, Sabarimala Mandalam season (Nov-Jan), and school vacations
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 100+ Vehicles
- Parking fees
- Approx. 20-50 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer
- Prasadam
- Vibhuti/Kumkum.