The temple is situated on the banks of the perennial Souparnika River. It is the only temple where the Goddess is worshipped as the embodiment of all three supreme powers. It has been a sanctuary for scholars, musicians, and artists for over a millennium, believed to be the spot where the intellect is sharpened.

The Golden Chariot and the Sri Chakra

The temple features the traditional Coastal Karnataka style of architecture, with sloping copper roofs to withstand heavy rainfall. The Shikhara is gold-plated. The most sacred object inside the sanctum is the **Jyotirlingam**, which features a gold line (*Swarna Rekha*) that is visible only during the morning Abhishekam. The panchaloha idol of the Goddess, installed by Adi Shankaracharya behind the Lingam, is a masterpiece of metalwork.

The demon Kaumasura wanted to gain a boon that would make him invincible. To stop him from speaking his wish to Brahma, Goddess Saraswati made him 'Mooka' (dumb). Enraged, he became **Mookasura**. The Goddess then took a fierce form and killed him on the banks of the river, after which she became known as Mookambika. Legend also says **Adi Shankaracharya** meditated here and had a vision of the Goddess; when he tried to take her to Kerala, she agreed but said he must not look back. He looked back at Kollur, and thus she stayed here permanently.

Worship is sophisticated and follows the protocols laid down by Adi Shankaracharya. A unique practice is the distribution of **Kashaya Teertham** (a medicinal ginger-jaggery drink) after the night aarti, said to have been started by Shankaracharya himself for the health of the pilgrims. The temple is especially crowded during the monsoon, when the Souparnika river is in full flow.

Navratri is the grandest festival, where thousands of children perform **Vidyarambham** (initiation into learning). The **Rathotsava** (Chariot Festival) in March is another massive event. Musicians from all over South India come here to perform 'Sangeetha Seva' as an offering to the Goddess of Learning.

Modern folklore at Kollur says that **the Goddess is the doctor of the forest**. Many believe that the herbs in the Kodachadri hills and the minerals in the Souparnika river are blessed by her, giving the water life-saving properties. There is also a popular belief among Kerala's artists and actors that they must visit Kollur at least once a year to maintain their 'creative spark.' It is said that if you meditate in the **Shankara Peetham** on the hilltop, you can still hear the divine voice of the Mother whispering the secrets of the Vedas.