Kolluru or Kollur is a small temple-town in Kundapur Taluk in Udupi district of Karnataka. It is situated about 38 km from Kundapur town. This village lies at the foot of the Western Ghats and is famous for the Mookambika temple, a Hindu pilgrimage center.
Kollur is situated on the banks of river sauparnika and surrounded by thick forest and has a natural formation resembling Sri Chakra. Kollur is one of the seven mukti places which were created by Parashurama.
Legend has it that Lord Srikrishna along with Rukmini and Sathyabhama observed Sambavrutham at Mookambika Temple. Indra, Suratha, Kashyapa , Bhargavarama, Sage Shukracharya, Sage Bruhaspathi, Pradyumna, Lokadithya Brahmana, Samadhi Vaishya etc were other epic characters who did penance at Kollur.
The main deity in the temple is the Jyothirlinga (Shiva linga). This Jyotirlinga is in front of the idol of the goddess Mookambika. A line of gold divides this linga into two unequal parts and is only visible in the light reflected sunlight pointed at the linga. The smallest portion of this right linga he would represent Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva (as conscious principles static) and larger left part, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Parvathi (like the creative energy principles).
The goddess Durga here is called Mookambika as she is said to have slain the demon Mookasura. The goddess is described as in the form of a jyotirlinga incorporating both Shiva and Shakti.
It is believed that, Adi Shankaracharya, is said to have installed metal image of the goddess behind the Jyothirlinga. Goddess Mookambika is in the Padmasana posture holding Shanku and Chakra, and shows Abhaya and Varada Mudras. On both sides of this are the idols of Kali and Saraswathi. Adi Shankaracharya reportedly composed his Soundharya Lahari when he was here.
As a legend goes, Adi Shankara, the much revered spiritual leader from Kerala, once offered intense worship to Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning. The goddess appeared before Shankara in response to his prayers. Shankara told her of his wish to have her come along with him to Kerala, where no temple was dedicated to her as yet. Goddess Saraswati agreed to go with him on the condition that Shankara must lead the way for her to follow, without doubting her and not looking back even once to check if she was with him. Should he break the condition, she would stop and stay right where she was at the time. Shankara agreed to the condition. So they started walking down the Kodachadri hills, with Shankara leading the way and goddess’ anklets tinkling and letting him know that she was with him. After walking some distance, the tinkling stopped all of a sudden. Shankara waited a few moments and stole a quick look backwards to find the goddess still with him, watching him with reproach. In keeping with the condition, the goddess stopped right there. Shankara, however, was not one to give up. He apologized profusely for breaking the condition and repeatedly begged and pleaded with the goddess to go with him to Kerala. Impressed by his determination, the goddess finally agreed to be present at the Chottanikkara Temple in Kerala in the mornings and return to the Mookambika temple by mid-day.
The quadrangular sanctum of the temple has a beautiful Vimana. The temple comprises of a large 135 feet long mandapa adorned with beautiful carvings of the deities. The beautiful sculptures of Ganesha, Subrahmanya, Naga, Mahishasura Mardini, Partheeshwara, Chandramouleeshwara, Pranalingeshwara, Nanjundeshwara, Anjaneya, Venkataramana, Thulasi Gopalakrishna are present in this temple. There is also an excellent sculpture of Panchamukha Ganesha. A huge deepasthambam (lamp pole) stands tall in the temple premises with 21 concentric circles.
The temple of Mookambika and other shrines attract a large number of pilgrims from other states too. Devotees from all over South India visit this temple. Many pilgrims from Kerala visit the temple and perform vidyaarambham during Vijayadasami here.
Sauparnika River:
It is believed that Garuda (Eagle) called ‘Suparna‘ performed penance on the banks of the river and reached the salvation hence the name ‘Sauparnika‘. It also appears that the rivers absorbs elements of 64 different herbs and roots as it flows so it cures all diseases of those who bathe in it.
Source:
http://www.karnatakaholidays.com/kollur-mookambika-temple.php
https://www.trawell.in/karnataka/murudeshwar/kollur-mookambika-temple
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kollur,_Udupi_district
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mookambika