Kollur Mookambika Temple - Shree Kshethram

This Mookambika Devi temple is located in the valley of Kodachadri mountain on the banks of Souparnika river. Long ago, a demon called Kaumasura obtained a boon from Lord Shiva. He was so arrogant with everyone including the divine souls. Unable to bear his tortures, this Kodachadri became the hiding place for all of them. It was Goddess Parvati who brought together the individual powers of all the Gods and killed this demon. The renowned saint of the 8th century Sri Sankaracharya, who established the Advaita philosophy with the blessings of lord Parvati, wished to bring Chamundeswari of Mysore to Kerala and began a penance to realize his mission. Lord Parvati conceded to his request but on a condition that Acharya Shankara should proceed to his destination and that mother Parvati would follow him and that he should never turn back.

If he did so, Parvati also would stop at the spot and would not come with him further. Acharya accepted the condition and began to walk. Lord Parvati followed him making a melodious sound of her anklets. They walked days and nights. One fine morning, the sound of anklets stopped. Shocked, Acharya simply turned back. It was the present day Kollur. Goddess stayed here as Mookambika and followed his request all the way to Kerala and settled at Chottanikkara of present day Ernakulam. Also, he was unable to stand up after his meditation one day. Goddess Mookambika himself prepared a medicine for him with a combination of herbs from the hills nearby. Sri Adi Shankaracharya recovered and eventually advised the pilgrims to visit this shrine to be blessed with good health.

The Souparnika river flowing beside this hill is perennial and believed to have rich extracts of herbals as it passes through the Kodachadri hills. Built in Dravidian style, the temple is believed to be built during Keladi Nayakas period of the 15th century and saw developments later on. The temple has a large 135 feet long hall adorned with beautiful carvings of the deities. The temple administration requests the male devotees to remove their shirts and vests before entering the premises. Clothes such as coats, hats, turbans, bermudas, shorts and lungis are not allowed inside the temple. Women are advised to dress moderately. The appeal of Kollur does not stop at just the temple deity but also soothes the soul and mind by the enchanting beauty of the Western Ghats.