Sri Mookambika Devi Temple, Kollur Travel Guide : Origin, History, Festivals, Timings, How to Reach, Stay Options, Best Time to Visit Sri Mookambika Devi Temple (2024)

When it comes to temples, India is considered as a pretty rich and diverse country. No matter whether you visit northern India or the southern part, you can find a temple as frequently as on every other nook and corner. People come from far away to visit these temples and seek blessings of the almighty. Sri Mookambika Devi temple, located in the Udupi district of Kollur city in the Indian state of Karnataka, is one temple that receives a lot of attention and love from its devotees. 

Sri Mookambika Devi temple is situated in the valley of the mighty Kodachadri peak and is considered as a famous pilgrimage site as well as a popular tourist place to visit in Karnataka. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Mookambika Devi making it the only temple entirely dedicated to Goddess Parvati. People from across the country come to visit this spiritual and exceptional temple. In this article, we have gathered all of the important information which you should know before visiting this stunning temple in Karnataka. Continue reading!

Origin, History, Festivals of Sri Mookambika Devi Temple, Kollur

Situated in a valley of the Kodachadri hills with lush greenery all around, the atmosphere here is pretty peaceful and calm. Moreover, the chief deity of the temple, Goddess Mookambika is present here in the form of JyotirLinga which is a combination of both Shiva and Shakti. Are you still searching for reasons to visit this top tourist place in Karnataka? If yes, then don’t worry because we have already prepared a list for you.

1. Interesting Beliefs Behind Origin of Sri Mookambika Temple: According to one of the legends, it is said that this shrine of Sri Mookambika Devi was installed by Adi Shankara. He worshipped Goddess dedicatedly, pleased by it, the goddess decided to appear before him and agreed to go with him to Kerala on a condition that while leading the way, Adi Shankara should not turn back to check whether she is following him or not. As soon as he will look back to check on her, the goddess will stop her journey there and not move further. Once in the journey when Shankara could not feel the presence of goddess, he looked back and hence as per her condition, Goddess stopped her journey and asked Adi Shankaracharya to install her vigraha at that very location at Kollur. The temple was built in the honor of the Goddess.
2. Significant History: Sri Mookambika Devi temple is believed to be the state temple for the Nagara or Bednore Rajas. It is also said that the many jewels that the deity idol is adorning now were presented by these kings and by their overlords of Vijayanagara.
3. Plethora of Festivals And Celebrations: You will be pleased to know that the temple is known to celebrate a diverse range of festivals with a lot of zest and excitement. Some of the festivals for celebrating which the temple is quite renowned are- Navaratri, Shivratri, Dhanurmasa, Annual festival, Ugadi, Chandika Homa and Ashtabhandha Brahmakalashotsava.

The Sri Mookambika Devi Temple Timings

Topping the list of popular tourist places to visit in Karnataka, the temple is open on all days of the week. As far as the timings of the Sri Mookambika Devi temple are concerned, they are as follows:

• Monday 5 AM to 1.30 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM
• Tuesday 5 AM to 1.30 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM
• Wednesday 5 AM to 1.30 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM
• Thursday 5 AM to 1.30 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM
• Friday 5 AM to 1.30 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM
• Saturday 5 AM to 1.30 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM
• Sunday 5 AM to 1.30 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM

The Sri Mookambika Devi temple darshan timings may change during special occasions or festivities, so it is recommended to check the timings first before visiting.

What Is The Best Way To Reach The Mookambika Temple in Kollur?

Sri Mookambika Devi temple is not just a popular tourist place to visit in Karnataka but also a famous pilgrimage spot in the south of Western Ghats. Hence, it is not surprising that the temple is well connected with almost all modes of transports. You can reach it by:

1. By Air: The nearest airport to the Mookambika temple is Mangalore International Airport. The airport is situated at a distance of about 150 km from the airport and can be reached by a drive of three to four hours. One can easily hire a cab or taxi from the airport to reach Kollur.
2. By Rail: The nearest railway station to the Sri Mookambika Devi temple is located at Bijoor which is about 20 km away from Kollur. Another nearby railway station is the Kundapura station, located at a distance of around 40 km from Kollur. Taxis are easily available from the railway stations to reach Kollur.
3. By Road: Kollur is well accessible by roads from many major nearby cities such as Mangalore, Shimoga and Bangalore. Bus services are also available on a daily basis. You can even get direct buses from some places like Sagara, Shimoga and so on.

Best Time To Visit The Sri Mookambika Devi Temple In Kollur

During the festivals and special occasions, the glory of the Sri Mookambika Devi temple is at its peak and hence the devotee crowd grows manifold. For a refreshing and exceptional experience, it is recommended to go for early morning darshans and dip in the holy water.

Stay Options Near the Mookambika Temple

There are many decent accommodation options located near this top tourist place to visit in Karnataka. Some of the nearby hotels you can consider are- Hamilton – Pooja Regency (about 0.01 km away), Hotel Mahalakshmi Residency (about 0.07 km away) and Jyothis Residency (about 0.15 km away).

Places to Visit Near Sri Mookambika Devi Temple

By adding a few more nearby attractions in your itinerary, you can make your trip to Mookambika temple even more memorable. Some of the places you can visit are:

1. Garuda Guha: Situated on the banks of the river Souparnika near the foot of Kodachadri Mountain, though it may be a bit difficult to find, but the natural beauty of the place makes it worth all the efforts.
   1. Kodachadri: This is an amazing tourist place to visit in Karnataka for all the adventure lovers. The treks here are quite thrilling and the natural beauty around makes the journey all the more fun.
      

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If you are looking forward to spending some peaceful moments in a spiritual and calm atmosphere, then Mookambika Temple is the ideal tourist place to visit in Karnataka for you.