Karnataka  April19, 2014:  The Mookambika Devi Temple at Kollur,Udupi District in the state of Karnataka, India, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Mookambika Devi. There are bus services from Udupi and Mangalooru to Kolluru at regular interval.

The legend says that a local demon Kaumasura was living on the site and kept the population of surrounding areas in terror. It was predicted that the demon will be killed by a woman, and, indeed, it was killed by Parvati Devi, after which people startet to bring offerings to her to the site. In the particular context of the fight with the demon, Parvati Devi is known as Mookambika Devi. The establishment of the temple is attributed to Parameshwara, who has drawn a chakra with his toe.

Historically, the temple is at least 1200 years old and it was mentioned in conjunction with the king Halugallu Veera Sangayya who installed an idol there. Yet another legend says that Adi shankara once worshipped goddess Saraswati in order to bring her to Kerala, where none of her temples existed.When Devi answered his prayers, he told his wish to bring her to kerala. She agreed to come, but only in one condition - that when he was going she would follow him and if he stops and looks backs, she will stay there itself and not continue.Adi shankaracharya readily agreed. So they started walking down from Kodachadri hills.While walking he could always hear her anklets, so he knew that she was with him.Suddenly,the sound stopped.Adi shankara looked back in intense doubt. When he saw she was still with him, Adi shankara apologized, knowing that he had broken her condition.Devi said from now on she will bless her devotees here, in Mookambika.But he was determined to take her to Kerala.Onseeing his determination she said "Fine then. In the morning, from 4 to 5 I will reside in Chottanikkara temple and bless my devotees”. “Then I will return to Mookambika".Even now the temple opens only around 5 'o' clock which, is a little later than normal temples.