A coffee session with a spiritually-inclined friend was my invitation to Kollur which is often considered to be the gateway to spiritual journey.
Well, it turned out to be a timely ‘break’ from the garden city‘s garbage stinking atmosphere to a salubrious ambience.
Karnataka is a land of temples which stand testimony to an era of its rich cultural heritage. Many beliefs, practices, customs and traditions make the temples in the state distinctive.
And most of the renowned temples locate at picture perfect villages where one can experience the nature at its best.
Graciously nestled on the lap of Western Ghats, Kollur, 133 km from Mangalore, is famous for Mookambika temple where lakhs of devotees from across the country throng every year.
Contrary to my perception that the 11-hour journey from Bangalore would be backbreaking, traversing through the well-maintained hairpins in the Shiradi Ghat stretch between Sakleshpur and Subramanya was hassle-free. The stretch after Kundapura unfolds the beauty of rural life and the richness of virgin forest. Kollur is indeed an ideal place for those who seek inner peace in serene surroundings.
The pristine village is surrounded by a cluster of hills, including Kudachadri, from three sides.
We, the early birds, enter the temple premises and are welcomed by devotional songs and sacred hymns reverberating in the air.
With rare sculptures around, the stone-carved architectural marvel illustrates the expertise of artisans of a bygone era. While waiting in the long queue to have darshan of Goddess Mookambika, we refresh our memories with the legend on the history of the decades-old temple.
Goddess Mookambika is believed to have eliminated Mookasura (demon). The panchloha image of the goddess on shri chakra had consecrated by sage Adi Shankacharya. Kollur was created along with other seven pilgrim centres by Hindu mythological figure Parashurama and was constructed on the banks of a tributary of Souparnika River in the middle of the forest. The temple, an important seat of shakthi worship, was renovated by Keladi rulers.
The flow of devotees is comparatively less in the noon hours to the otherwise-crowded temple. There are no major rituals during this time as the goddess is believed to be visiting a temple in Kerala as per the promise given to Adi Shankaracharya years ago.
Outside the temple, a ‘blessing jumbo’ is the cynosure of all eyes. Place money or fruits on its trunk, it will generously shower blessings on you. A small shrine devoted to snakes is nearby. And the famous Souparnika River is just 10-minute walk away.Devotees believe that taking a dip in Souparnika can cure all diseases. The medicinal water flowing down from the virgin forest can re-energize body. Swimming is banned here as many accidents were reported in the past when people trapped in whirlwind. The river has rocky bed and it is not deep in many parts. The moment you step in, small fish come kissing your feet, a soothing pedicure at no cost.
Even after you get back to the urbanized home city, with its serene beauty the memories of this village, where materialistic world meets spiritual world, will shine bright in your mind.