Photo 1 / 4Main shrine in evening light. Photo: Yogesa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kollur Mookambika Temple
About the Temple
Kollur's temple to the goddess Mookambika sits at the foot of Kodachadri hill in the Western Ghats, on the bank of the Souparnika river. Tradition holds that Adi Shankaracharya meditated here and consecrated the goddess's image. It draws large numbers of pilgrims from Kerala, especially in Navaratri when families bring young children to begin learning.
Why visit
- Visit a major Devi shrine linked by tradition to Adi Shankaracharya.
- Combine darshan with the forested Kodachadri hills and the Souparnika river.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Karnataka Tourism says darshan runs through the day except brief intervals for rituals and decoration. The exact break times are not confirmed; ask at the temple office. Expect longer hours and heavy crowds in Navaratri and on Vijayadashami.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
1 hour to 2 hours inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
Wear traditional dress. Men may wear a dhoti, a shirt or kurta, and pyjama or trousers. Women may wear a sari, half sari, or churidar with dupatta. Footwear is not allowed in the queue or the temple.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Phones
A current phone rule for Kollur was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance before carrying a phone into the queue.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Access
Step counts and wheelchair routes are not confirmed. Ask at the temple office before you join the queue.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
Highlights
- Swarnarekha linga
The main object of worship is a self-formed linga divided by a golden line, worshipped as the goddess.
- Link with Adi Shankaracharya
Tradition holds that Adi Shankaracharya did penance here and consecrated the image of Mookambika.
- Gold-plated crest and copper roofs
The temple's roofs are copper-clad, with a gold-plated crest over the shrine.
- Kodachadri and the Souparnika
The temple sits in the Western Ghats at the foot of Kodachadri hill, on the south bank of the Souparnika river.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, karnatakatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Kollur Mookambika Temple
- By train: Mookambika Road (Byndoor) · about 30 km
- By road: Kollur is about 130 km from Mangaluru, which has the nearest airport, and about 430 km from Bengaluru. Private buses run from Mangaluru, and taxis are available at Kundapura, 36 km away.
Sources: karnatakatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- KodachadriA hill station above Kollur, commonly visited by jeep.38 km by road
- Maravanthe BeachA beach on the coast west of Kollur.39 km by road
- Someshwara Beach, ByndoorA beach near the Byndoor railhead.30 km by road
- Murudeshwar TempleThe seaside Shiva temple with the giant statue, the next stop north on the coastal route.44 km away
Sources: karnatakatourism.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Can I take my phone inside Kollur Mookambika Temple?
A current phone rule for Kollur was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance before carrying a phone into the queue.
What are the Kollur Mookambika temple timings?
Karnataka Tourism lists 05:00 to 21:00, with brief pauses for rituals and decoration. Confirm break times at the temple office.
Is there a dress code at Kollur Mookambika?
Traditional dress is expected. Men may wear a dhoti, shirt or kurta, or trousers; women a sari, half sari or churidar with dupatta. Remove footwear before the queue.
How do I reach Kollur?
Mookambika Road station at Byndoor is about 30 km away and Kundapura about 36 km. Kollur is about 130 km from Mangaluru, which has the nearest airport.
Is the Kollur temple website safe to book from?
Be careful. Deccan Herald has reported a fake Kollur website used to cheat devotees. The state endowments department runs its own guest-house portal; confirm any other booking site at the temple office before paying.