Kollur the abode of Goddess Mookambika. Review on South Kanara

Hindu religion has many deities and many religious places, any religious place is however popular only due to beliefs and faith in the deity. Being a Tambram I have traveled widely to religious places in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka . My personal favorites however are the temples in Karnataka & Kerala , because of their simplicity and a mystery about them. Among all the temples the abode of goddess Mookambika - goddess of learning in Kollur evokes a special sentiment in me. I have immense faith in this deity and the place relaxes me and is the best place to unwind.

Let me take to the tour of this place, from Mumbai one can board the Netravati Express or the Mangalapuram express and alight at a station called Kundapura. There are lots of buses to Kollur from Kundapura , the bus fare would be around Rs 20/- and a taxi would cost you around Rs 400 to Rs 600. the journey which takes around an hour takes you uphill through green jungles to Kollur . On alighting at Kollur a single path takes you straight to the temple , on the way you would see Hotel Devi Krupa , which is by far the best Hotel in Kollur , the others are not worth a mention but can certainly be tried upon. The room fare ranges from 400 onwards.

Kollur is a very small town , so eateries are very basic and you cannot expect a large culinary fare and lets not forget we have come to a religious place not a tourist destination. So we check in keep our bags , freshen up and approach the temple. The temple is open from 5 am to 12 am and from 3 pm to around 11 pm. It's a large temple with a compound within .In the evenings its lit up with lamps and we have a '' Sheeveli '' which is so common about south Indian temples. It's a procession of the deity on an elephant around the temple. Lunch and Dinner is served free in the temple , simple fare and this being a Prasad is unequal to any Five star restaurant in this globe. There is a Prasad called '' Kashayam'' which is supposed to impart & increase mental strength . now there are many stories behind this but then my review would be tooooo long.

I can personally hang around the temple all throughout , its very beautiful and sometimes you have budding as well as established carnatic singers displaying their talent. It is said that by performing in the temple mandapam your talent will prosper. We have the beautiful river souparniga flowing , a dip in the clear water will refresh your senses !!!

There is a place called '' Kudachadiri'' next to Kollur, about 5 kms away , you can trek or go by jeep. Its uphill and a very scenic and beautiful place. It is said that Adi Sankaracharya had done his penance here.

After you go to this place, you brood your return back to the concrete jungle to the mechanical life which we citigoers undergo.