Are you looking for an Indian holiday laced with devotion, spirituality, and marvelous temple architecture steeped in legends? If so, you’d do well to head for Kollur in Karnataka, India. Kollur’s Mookambika temple, Karnataka’s most famous pilgrim site, is a 3-hour drive from Mangalore and easily accessible from Udupi too. In Kollur, Karnataka you can take a dip in the Sowparnika River, which absorbs the elements of 64 medicinal plants and their roots. This is a sacred and significant ritual. The installation of the idol of Mookambika is believed to be 1,200 years old. It is housed within the sanctorum; then, there’s the entrance hall and the Lakshmi Mantapa that has 4 pillars with intricately sculpted images of Ganesha, Subrahmanya, Naga, Mahishasura Mardini, and the Goddess in different postures. Among the many outstanding features of the Kollur temple near Bangalore is the beautiful white Balamuri Ganapathi idol. The Golden Mask of the Goddess, an excellent image of Nrutya Ganpati, and a huge collection of jewels are also added attractions. Two of the pooja (worship) practices conducted here belong to 2 disciplines – vathula, that of the twenty-eight vedas of Shaivagama, includes the bali (sacrifice) ritual and the other is that of Vijaya yagama Shastra. No matter what time you visit, you won’t miss paying obeisance as there are 5 different poojas conducted through the day. Prominent festivities at the temple are "Sharannavarathri" held in October and the "Brahma Rathotsava" in March. Pilgrims can choose from a variety of accommodation options such as the Souparnika Guest House, Goenka Guest House, and the Sri Ramakrishna Yogasramam P.W.D. Inspection Bungalow. The daily rent is around Rs. 100. Have you visited Kollur? What do you think made your pilgrimage to this most revered pilgrim centre in Karnataka truly memorable? Any tips for future travelers?
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