Kollur

Kollur or Kolluru is a tiny hamlet situated 40km Kundapur Town, about 140 km away from Mangalore City in Karnataka. This village lies at the foot of the Western Ghats, and is famous for the Mookambika temple, a Hindu pilgrim center. Distance from Mysuru to Kollur, Karnataka is 383.2 km and takes around 8 h 9 min via Mangalore - Mysore Hwy and Edapally - Panvel Highway. Kollur is an important seat of Shakti worship. The temple is rich in puranic lore.

Legend goes that a Maharishi (monk) Kolan was enchanted with nature's beauty and decided to perform a penance on a rock near the Agnitheertham. Lord Shiva, delighted with Kolan, appeared before him and blessed him. The Maharishi wished for the welfare of mankind and nothing else. The Lord, happy with Kolan, granted him his wish. He assured that a swayambu (autogenetic) Lingam would appear for his daily worship. However, Kolan wanted to worship Devi also. So, a swarna rekha (gold line) appeared on the Lingam, signifying Shakti. Thus, Shiva and Shakti are worshipped together in the Lingam. Besides this, a unique feature is that the other Gods and Goddess of the Hindu pantheon also believed to reside in aroopa (non-form) in the Lingam. It is thus believed to be an abode of the entire celestial congregation.

It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya had a vision of Sri Mookambika Devi and installed the deity here.The legend goes, that Adi Shankara mediated at Kudajadri hills and Devi incarnated before him asking for his wish. He revealed his wish to incorporate Devi to a place in Kerala to worship where he wanted.Devi agreed and put forward a challenge that she will follow Shankara and he should not look back until he reaches his destination. But to test Shankara Devi deliberately stopped the voice of her ornamets when they reached Kollur, and Shankara turned back because of doubt. Devi then asked Shankara to install her vigraha as he sees her.

Kollur Mookambika Temple

Devotees from all over South India visit this temple. Kollur is believed to be one of the seven pilgrim centres created by Parashurama, a Hindu mythological figure. The temple is devoted to the Hindu goddess Parvathi, wife of Shiva. While the other pilgrimages created by Parashurama are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya and Lord Ganesha, this is the only one devoted to goddess Parvathi.











Kashi Theertha

Kashi Theertha and Agni Theertha are the two rivers flowing in Kollur. These two rivers join together and flow further as Sowparnika River which is about 0.5 KM from the Temple. On the banks of the River, bath rooms are arranged and same arrangements are available at the Kashi Theertha river banks also.



Souparnika River

Souparnika River is a river flowing through Kundapur taluk in Karnataka, India. It joins with the Varahi River, Kedaka River, Chakra River, and Kubja River and merges into the Arabian Sea. It flows near Mookambika temple, Kollur and is considered holy river by devotees of the temple. It is a believed that Garuda (eagle) called Suparna performed penance on the banks of the river and attained salvation hence the name Sawparnika. It is also believed that river absorbs the elements of 64 different medicinal plants and roots as it flows, therefore it cures diseases of those who bath in it.







Arishna Gundi Water falls
Scenic waterfall inside the deep jungle only approachable by trekking and due to the special effect of sunrays falling on the water droplets around the waterfall looks orange/yellow the name is Arishna (Turmeric/yellow).

Kodachadri Mountain on Western Ghats
Adi Sri Shakthi Mookambika Temple is on the top of mountain believed to be the real abode of Devi from where Adi Shankara re-established it at foothills at Kollur.

Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary
Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is world Wildlife Fund Aided. This sanctuary is home for endangered species animal called Lion tailed monkey. Spread along the Kundapur-Kollur- Shimoga road, this sanctuary is generally off the tourist map.

Sigandur
Sigandur is famous for temple of Goddess Chaudeshwari. It is situated at a distance of 45 km from Kollur where a diversion from Kollur-Shimoga Road has to be taken at Nagodi.

How to Reach Kollur

Kollur is around 36 km from Kundapur, the taluk head quarters. From Kundapur, one can take three different routes to reach Kollur. Distance from Thirthahalli to Kollur, Karnataka is 83.9 km and travel time is around 2 h 1 min via Sampekatte-Kollur Road.

By Road: One route is via Tallur-Hattiangadi-Karkunje-Vandse. Second route via Hemmadi-Vandse and third one is via Byndoor.However, the shortest route is through Hemmady. On the National Highway 17, after around 7 km from Kundapur, at Hemmady one has to take right deviation to reach Kollur. There are frequent buses from Kollur Bus Stand.

Platform Number Bus Route
1 Mangalore via Kundapura, Udupi
2 Udupi via Hemmadi, Kundapura
3 Kundapura via Vandse, Hemmadi (Neralakatte, Hattiyangadi)
4 Sringeri, Dharmastala via Hebri, Karkala
5 Byndoor, Bhatkal
6 Sagar-Shimoga via Nittur, Nagara, Hosanagar
7 KSRTC

How to reach Kollur

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Kundapura (40 km) where a few long-distance trains halt. You can get taxis from the station. The station has a waiting room for the passengers. Railway Station Phone no: +91-8254-237365.

By Air: The nearest Airport is Mangalore International Airport ( Bajpe )flights are operated by Air India Express. There are pre-paid taxi to kollur from Airport and it is a 3 hours drive or approximately 150 kilometre.

Kollur is a 2 hour drive from Udupi, so a visit to Udupi can include Kollur. The drive is a very scenic one.

Accomodation at Kollur

To see Hotels, Boarding, Lodging and Accomodation facilities available at Kollur

Hotels, Boarding, Lodging & Accomodation At Kollur

Temples in Kollur

Mookambika Devi Temple is one of the most famous pilgrimage centers in India. This temple is dedicated mainly to Parvati Devi or Shakthi, and also the Female Trinity, Mahashakthi, Mahalakshmi, and Saraswathi.

Shivambu Nature Cure Kollur Karnataka -