More precisely known as the Kollur Mookambika Temple, it is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site nestled amidst the Western Ghat’s lush greenery. The temple’s location is more accurately in Kollur, a quaint village in the Udupi district in Karnataka. The temple’s grandeur is a testament to ancient heritage and religious fervour. Dedicated to Goddess Mookambika, the temple holds a significant reverence among the devotees. Thousands of devotees visit the temple each year to seek blessings and be mesmerised by the temple’s intricate architecture.

The Mookambika Temple is dedicated to Goddess Mookambika, a manifestation of Adi Parashakti, the divine feminine energy.According to historians and scriptures, the temple dates back to the 8th century and symbolises antiquity and devotion. Legends suggest that the temple was founded by the great Hindu philosopher and saint Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD.

Mythology depicts that Adi Shankaracharya was meditating at the nearby Kodachadri peak. He acquired the vision of witnessing Goddess Mookambika in front of him, in the form of Jyotirlinga. It was then that he installed the goddess’s idol in the temple, and now people from across the world visit and explore the temple and seek blessings.The Mookambika Temple history also discusses the demon Mookasura, who was vanquished by the goddess. Then, the Goddess earned the name “Mookambika,” which translates to “slayer of Mookasura.”

All of these stories, historical significance, and mythological tales surrounding the temple contribute to the temple’s spiritual significance.