Lokambiga, Vadakara - Panja Bagavathi Kshetras

Lokanarkavu is located at Vadakara, a small town in Kozhikode - the renowned temple which is frequently alluded to in the Vadakkanpattu of kerala (ballads of North Malabar). The deity in this temple was worshipped by Thacholi Othenan, the legendary martial hero of Kerala. It is the abode of Goddess Lokambiga. This is said to be one of the Panja Bagavathi Kshetras.

Lokanarkavillama represents Amba, the feminine counterpart of the universal creator. It is believed that the goddess dwells in the sanctum's jewel studded pillar. The idol of goddess Durga is made of Panchaloha (an alloy of five metals, gold, silver, copper, brass and iron). With the 'Shanku' and 'Chakra' in two of her hands, the four handed deity also depicts the 'Abhaya' and 'Varada' mudras.There are numerous legends about the arrival of the goddess eulogized by Parasurama. One story holds that the local chieftains or landlords brought the Goddess from Lokamaleswaram in Kodungallur to Kadathanad. Another story is that the goddess is the patron deity of the Aryans who migrated to Kerala. In addition to the main deity of Lokanarkavillamma, this temple also has two adjacent shrines dedicated to Mahavishnu and Mahadeva. The shrine dedicated to Mahavishnu is at the south and the one dedicated to the goddess is at the north. At the centre lies the shrine dedicated to Siva. The deity of Vishnu is believed to be the oldest.

Note: The image of Amba is not available. If any of the devotees had it please share it with us, so that everyone can have a glimpse of Her and be blessed.

Kollur Mookambigai - Panja Bagavathy Kshetras

Kollur is regarded as one of the Seven Muktislala pilgrimage sites in Karnataka which are (kollur), Udupi, Subrahmanya, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna. Kollur is known for its association with Aadi Sankara. Mookambika is said to have appeared before Aadi Sankara here, and he is said to have installed her image at this shrine. There is a room  near the sanctum - enshrining the Sankara Simhasanam which is regarded as the very spot where he meditated and had a vision of Mookambika. Mookambika is regarded as a manifestation of Shakti, Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi.

Mookambigai, Kollur

This is the place where devi killed the demon,  Mookasura is known as "Marana Katte". Since that day, the Goddess has resided at this holy place Kollur by the name Mookambika, fulfilling the wishes of all her devotees. Here resides Sreedevi in the Padmasana posture, of a serene countenance, and with three eyes, bearing always a shankha, a chakra and with a pleasant appearance as the embodiment of mantra to bless the devotees.

The Goddess Mookambika is in the form  of Jyotir-Linga incorporating both Shiva and Shakthi. The Panchaloha image (five element mixed metal) of the Goddess on Shree Chakra is stated to have been consecrated by Adi shankaracharya during his visit to this place.

 

Location

Kollur, Kundapur Taluk, Karnataka State, India. About 135 Kms from Mangalore, one of the major city in Karanata State. The nearest railhead is Udupi. Kollur is well connected to Mangalore, Bangalore (Capital of Karnataka State) and Mysore. Regular buses are there from Udupi. Also Kollur is well connected with tourist centers such as Mangalore and Shimoga in Karnataka and Kannanur in Kerala.

Sree Mookambika Devi Ashtakam

Namasthe Jagadatri Sadbrahma Rupe

Namasthe Haropendra Datryadivandye

Namastheprasanneshtadhanaikadakshe

Namasthe Mahalakshmi Kolapuresi

Vidhikrithi Vasa Harirviswmethath

Sijathyathi Patheeyathath Prasidham

Kripalokana Devathe Shakthirupe

Namasthe Mahalkshmi Kolapuresi

Thuayamayayapyapthamethathsamastham

Dritham Leelaya Devi Kukshu Hi Viswam

Sthithambudhirupenasarvathrajanthou

Namasthemahalakshmi Kolapuresi

Yayabhakthavargahi Lakshyanthaetho

Thouyatraprakamkripapoornadrishtya

Athogeeyasedevilakshmeerithithuam

Namasthemahalakshmikolapuresi

Punarvakpaduthuadiheenahimooka

Naraistharnikamkhaluprarthaseeyath

Nijeshtayathethasyamookambikathuam

Namasthemahalakshmikolapuresi

Yaduaditharoopathparabrahmnastham

Samuthapunarviswaleelodyamstha

Thadahoorjanasthamhigowreemkumarim

Namasthemahalskshmikolapuresi

Hareesadidehothejomayapra

Sfurachakrarajyakyalingaswaroope

Mahayogikolarshi Hridpadmagehe

Namasthemahalakshmikolapuresi

Namasankachakrayabishtahasthe

Namasthambikegowripadmasanasthe

Namaswarnavarneprasannesaranye

Namasthemahalakshmikolapuresi

Panja Bagavathy Kshetras

Bagavathy is celebrated as an incarnation of Godess Durga, eliminator of evil of any forms and blesses with good will power. The term  'Bagavathy' is popular in southern part of Tamilnadu especially Kerala. Bahavathy meaning goddess in Sanskrit is the general way people refer to the Hindu goddesses in  Kerala. It can be used to refer any of the Hindu goddesses like Durga, Kannaki, Parvati, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kali etc.

Temples of these goddesses are referred to as Bhagavathi temples. Kshetras are the abode of  God. Panja means five in Sanskrit and Hindi. Panja Bagavathi Kshetras is said to be a collection of five Bagavathy temples. According to myths, and also devotees it is a proven truth that one who visits these five kshetras is relieved from  worldly miseries and attains tranquilty with ever prosperous life.

The so called Panja Bagavathy Kshetras are..

1. Mookambigai - Kollur
2. Lokambigai - Vadakara
3. Hemambigai - Palakkad
4. Bagavathy - Kodungallur
5. Balambigai - Kanyakumari

In the following weeks these kshetras will be explored by the grace of  Goddess Durga.