Kollur Sri Mookambika Devi Moolasthana

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• published: 07 May 2013
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Kodachadri forms a background to the famous temple of Mookambika in Kollur. It is located at a distance of 21 km from Kollur and 15 km from Nagodi village, in Hosanagara taluk. There are different routes to reach the Peak of Kodachadri and the difficulty varies highly with respect to the route chosen. However it is challenging to reach the peak in monsoon due to heavy rains that make the routes slippery. Kodachadri receives an annual rain fall of 500 cm to 750 cm and it rains for about eight months in a year. Koodachadri seems to have attracted the attention of humankind since long time. Probably prehistoric men also trekked in this area. This belief can be compared with the ancient practice of worshipping Mother Goddess during prehistoric time all over the world. At present, Koodachadri is popular among locals and Keralites since at least 500 years or more. Sage Shankaracharya is said to have visited this place and established the Kollur temple while the MULA-STHANA,the original goddess is situated in Kodachadri. The terrain being impossible for temple construction, the Kollur temple was made down the hill. Kodachadri seems to have attracted the attention of humankind since long time. Probably prehistoric men also trekked in this area and several monolithic structures or menhirs (big rocks with a length more than 12 feet) are found near Nagara-Nilsakal, at about 20 km from this place. Ancient mother goddess temple is located near the top of the peak and legend says that the goddess slayed Mookasura several thousand years ago. In Historic times, people used to trek from Nagara state, a nearby place and Europeans trekked to the peak during 19th Century. Lewin Bentham Bowring, who served as Commissioner of Mysore between 1862 and 1870, records that Kodachadri is "clothed with splendid forests, and the ascent is very steep indeed in one place near foot....The view from the top of the hill, which has a bluff appearance from the distance, though it is as sharp as a knife in reality, is very fine, commanding a long stretch of great Ghat range, a considerable portion of Canara (Kanara), and a vide view over Malnad". He further records that, Kodachadri is visible from Merti Peak near Sringeri. Kodachadri is visited by locals and Keralites in large numbers since long time. Sage Adi Shankara is said to have visited this place, meditated here and he also established a temple at Kollur. A small temple called Sarvajnapeetha, built with stone is dedicated to Adi Shankara at the top of Kodachadri. Some of the pilgrims from South Indian states who visit Kollur take a trek to Kodachadri also. Dr. K. Shivarama Karantha, noted writer of Udupi District trekked to Kodachadri in 1940s and appreciated the natural beauty of this place by placing Kodachadri as most beautiful of three mountain peaks of coastal Karnataka (the other two being Kuduremukh and Kumara Parvata). There is a small a temple near the peak where Shankaracharya did meditation and ancient Sarvajna Peetha (built out of rock) at the top. The Sarvajna Mantapa, a stone structure at the top, serves as a shelter for those camping here. The sides of the mountain drop almost vertically to the impenetrable jungles of Ambavana. Moola Mookambika temple at Kodachadri village is believed to be the moola sthana (the origin) of Sri Mookambika Devi. Just below the peak, almost vertical path leads to a small cave called Chitramoola, from where the Mookambika temple of Kollur is visible. Cave of Chitramoola is considered sacred because it is said that the great saint Adi Shankaracharya performed penance here before consecrating goddess Mookambika. Chitramoola is, according to the legend, the place where Shankaracharya met Mookambika Devi. Trekking to Kodachadri peak starts from Nagodi village or Nittur, Shimoga village which are located at the base of Kodachadri. A night tented stay can be undertaken near peak with the permission of Forest Department, Govt. of Karnataka. In case of need, there is an Inspection Bungalow maintained by Government of Karnataka and a temple prist's house, with simple food on request. There is little accommodation at Kodachadri. Kollur (21 km) has several Guest House and lodges as well as homestay accommodation. Nearest Town Kundapura has Lodging accommodation. From Bangalore, one has to go to Shimoga (285 km) and from there, one can take public transport to reach Nagodi village (Hosanagara Taluk). From Udupi, it is three hours journey to Nagodi village, from where trekking starts. Kodachadri peak is connected with an all rough jeep road (partially metalled) on which only jeeps can travel. As this hilly road is not maintained properly, only expert local jeep drivers can take the jeep to the top. Jeeps are available for hire at Kollur and at villages near Kodachadri base. Motorcycle riding on this highly uneven, steep, mud track with sharp hairpin curves with gradients, may be challenging and risky. By Chiranjeevi Palegar and Shrinath Palegar