Mookambika Devi

Mookambika Devi represents the feminine energy of Brahman (the Absolute). She is the wife of Lord Siva. Siva becomes complete only when he is with Devi. It is said that when Devi and Siva unite, bliss is attained in all creation. Mookambika incarnates periodically to destroy various demons. She has many names indicating the specific purpose of her incarnation and her unique qualities. As slayer of Chanda, she is called Chandika. When she kills Raktabeeja She becomes Durga. As daughter of Parvatha, Lord of the Mountains, She is Parvati. As consort of Brahma (the Creator), and bestower of wisdom She is Saraswati. As Lakshmi the consort of Vishnu (the Preserver), She gives wealth.

The famous Mookambika Temple in Kollur has a beautiful story behind it. The great sage Sankaracharya had the blessing of Devi’s Darshan in the Vindhya Mountains. Sankaracharya wanted Her to come to Kerala. She agreed to follow him on the condition that She would stop if Sankara turned to look back at Her. As She walked, her anklets made a tinkling sound. At one point when no sound was heard Sankara turned back to look. Devi stopped in that spot and that is where the great Mookambika Temple now stands. The place is known as Kolapuram or Kollur. It was named after the great yogi Kola Rishi, who did Tapas there for a long time.