By Vani Parameswaran
Kollur Mookambika Temple residing in Karnataka in the Udupi district is known to hold an esteemed honour in the Hindu religion, where the devotees seek blessings from the powerful goddess of Mookambika. The Karnataka endowments minister Kota Srinivas Poojari has recently inaugurated new dining halls in the temple along with Byndoor MLA Sukumar Shetty, Udupi District Collector G Jagadeesh and Temple Trustee Abhilash P V. The 23 crore project boasts high-tech kitchen facilities, air-conditioned halls which can hold a capacity of 2000 people at a time.
The temple is located on the banks of river Souparnika. The deity here is Sri Mookambika Devi, unique among the other Hindu gods and goddesses as she embodies the powers of Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswathi and Mahakali combined into one as Adiparashakthi – Mookambika. It is believed that offering prayers to Devi enhance knowledge and excellence in academics. Kollur Shrine is dedicated to knowledge and art, also known as vagadevatha, Goddess of letters and speech.
Navarathri days are considered to be the most auspicious time to worship all Shakthi devathas. It is also the most important festival of Mookambika. Thousands of pilgrims throng the temple on those nine days. Vijaya Dashami day is the most auspicious day for beginning education (Vidya Arambham), in Mookambika.
