The significance of praying at Mookambika temple gets enhanced with the popular belief that Goddess Mookambika is considered to embody all Goddesses and Gods of the realm in herself and hence praying at the Mookambika temple is equivalent to offering prayers and worshipping many Gods at the same time.

Thousands of devotees across India travel to Kollur to make darshan of Goddess Mookambika with a desire to get blessed and fulfil all their long-awaited wishes. The temple authorities have made full-fledged and sufficient arrangements to accommodate maximum people to carry out all the rituals properly and in an efficient manner during the pooja time and make the most out of the divine darshan.

Devotees of Mookambika should know that Mother Goddess Mookambika is indubitably benevolent to all Her true devotees. It is only devotion and faith that would make the offerings fruitful. Cost, quantum and frequency of the offerings are immaterial for its fruition. But as suggested by experienced priests, traditionally some sevas are performed for certain purposes. As such some of the offerings in the seva list of Mookambika temple believed to be helpful in accomplishing or fulfilling particular objectives are mentioned below.

For Progress in Education
Sucess or progress in education is the main objective for which most of the devotees seek Mookambika's blessings. As Saraswati, Mookambika is considered to be the presiding deity of all fine arts. Mookambika is said to be the Goddess of knowledge. Propitiating Mookambika is helpful for progress in education. Mahatrimadhura is the main offering to achieve this end. It is believed that Mahathrimadhura has the mystic potential to stimulate one's intellect and consuming it for 41 days would improve mental faculties. One fortnight's meditation at Mookambika Temple would be helpful to cultivate concentration and confidence. Alankara Pooja, Pushparathotsava, Pushpanjali and Payasa Nivedya are other offerings meant for progress in education. It is common practice for examination candidates to get their books and pens worshipped at Mookambika Temple before writing the examination.

For Wealth and Prosperity
Mookambika is considered to possess the powers of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Propitiating Mookambika is helpful to gain wealth. Many entrepreneurs visit Mookambika Temple and offer sevas before launching new business ventures. Some prominent business houses credit their success to the blessings of Mookambika. Friday pooja, Chandika Homa, Sahasranama Kumkumarchana, Sarvalankara pooja and Maha pooja are offerings intended to seek Mookambika's blessings to achieve success in business and profession.

For Health
In the form of Durga, Mookambika is the Goddess of power and vitality and annihilator of all evils. Propitiating Mookambika is good for preserving health and preventing ailments. Mahathrimadhura, Nithya nivedya, vidhi, harivana nivedya, Parivarayuktha Panchapooja, Pushpa rathotsava and Chandika Homa are offerings meant for healing ailments and resolve deformities. All devotees firmly believe that Goddess Mookambika cures ailments which are not even curable by advancements in medical science. This is the belief that provides impetus to thousands of devotees to offer prayers at Mookambika temple year after year.

For Elimination of Enemies
Shatha Rudrabhisheka, Friday pooja, and Chandika Homa are poojas to subjugate enemies or win over adversaries. Shaktheya Pooja at Kodachadri and at Marikamba temple is performed with the objective of decimating opponents.

For Marriage
Mookambika is considered as Mangalambika. Thousands of youngsters visit Mookambika Temple to seek Her blessings to help find good matches in life and also to fend off obstacles in alliances. It is said that three days dawn to dusk meditation at Mookambika Temple will help ward off all evil effects in the horoscope. Ghee deepa, thrimadhura, nanda deepa, payasa nivedya, sarvalankara pooja, thulabhara and Chandika homa are the offering prescribed to achieve the objective of early marriage. Gifting of sarees and mangala sutra thali to Mookambika are very important offerings for being blessed with suitable life partner.

For Infertility and Childless issues
For a couple who are facing infertility issues and are unable to bear a child can perform regular pooja at Mookambika temple to get rid of the problem. Performing homam like Saraswathi Homam and Santhana Gopala homam have acted like a panacea for treating childlessness in couples.

For Vastu (Graha Dosha)
In cases where a person is unable to unlock his/ her full potential and achieve desired results in personal/ professional life, well-being, health and prosperity, Navagraha Homam can be performed to cut down the ill effect of planets. A priest can take a guided decision based on the horoscope of a person ad accordingly the Navagraha homam can be performed by a priest.

For Land related issues
In a situation, where a person is facing roadblocks to complete the construction of a building, to acquire a new land or facing challenges in real estate, he or she can undertake Bhoovaraha Homamwhich worships Lord Vishnu to resolve all land and property related issues.

Do's:

• Any seva or offerings receipts should be obtained from the temple seva counter and should be acknowledged/ signed by authorized persons. There are sign boards available in the temple for proper guidance. One must ensure to follow them.
  
• Donations must be put into the Hundi only or should be handed over to the seva counter against the receipt.
  
• Please co-operate with the temple authorities to keep the temple premises neat and clean and protect the sacred environment of the temple.
  
• One must book prior accommodation either at temple guesthouse or nearby hotels in case of an overnight stay
  
• Devotees have to enter the temple barefooted.
  
  Dont's :

• Ladies should not enter the Temple for 11 days after child delivery.
  
• In case of any bereavement or death in the family, the family members should not enter the courtyard of the temple for 11 days.
• Ladies should not enter the Temple during their monthly period (5 days) time.
• Pregnant women should not enter the temple courtyard after 7 months.
  
• Drinking Liquors, smoking and spitting inside the temple premises is strictly prohibited
  
• Photography is prohibited inside the temple premises
  
• Devotees should not enter the temple wearing shirt, baniyan, coat, hat, turban, shorts (Bermuda) or lungi
• Donations to the temple can be sent through money order, Check or DD in the name of Executive Officer, Sri Mookambika Temple Kollur Kundapur Taluk, Udupi District, Pin-57620

The significance of praying at Mookambika temple gets enhanced with the popular belief that Goddess Mookambika is considered to embody all Goddesses and Gods of the realm in herself and hence praying at the Mookambika temple is equivalent to offering prayers and worshipping many Gods at the same time.

Thousands of devotees across India travel to Kollur to make darshan of Goddess Mookambika with a desire to get blessed and fulfil all their long-awaited wishes. The temple authorities have made full-fledged and sufficient arrangements to accommodate maximum people to carry out all the rituals properly and in an efficient manner during the pooja time and make the most out of the divine darshan. Here are the Mookambika Pooja timings and Mookambika pooja schedule for the temple:

From 5.00am to 12.30am devotees are allowed for darshan
05.00 am: The Temple Opens
05.15 am: Abhishekam to the Lingam
05.30 am: Eka Nalikera Ganahoma
06.30 am: The morning worship ( Pooja) starts
07.15 am: Dantha Dhavana Mangalarathi
07.30 am: Panchamritha Abhishekam
07.45 am: Naivedya
08.00 am: Morning Mangalarathi and Bali Utsavam
08.15 am: End of Morning Bali Utsava
11.30 am: Noon Pooja starts
12.30 pm: Maha Mangalarathi and afternoon Bali Utsava
01.30 pm: The Temple Closes

Afternoon 03.00 pm to 09.00 pm devotees are allowed for darshan (3.00 pm to 5.00pm only darshan and no sevas are performed)
03.00 pm: Door opens for darshan
06.30 pm: Pradosha Pooja starts. Panchamritha Abhisheka
07.00 pm: Naivedya
07.15 pm: Mangalarathi
07.30 pm: Salam Mangalarathi
07.45 pm: Mangalarathi for all accompanying Deities.
08.00 pm: Naivedyam, " Bali" and Mangalarathi
08.15 pm: Night " Bali" Utsava
08.30 pm: Utsava Moorthi is placed at the Saraswathi Mantapa, andnaivedya with Beaten rice, coconut. After that,Mangalarathi and Ashtavadana Seve Vedaghosha, Sangeetha, Shruthivadya,Sarvavadya). Once it is over Shree Devi will be taken inside the Temple
09.00 pm: Kashaya Mangalarathi

Mookambika Temple has always been celebrating various festivals with regular Pancha Pooja and Thrikala Bali. Following are the various celebrations of the temple:

Nithyothsavam (Daily)
On Fridays, before the Pradoshakala Pooja at about 6 p.m, the festival idol is carried to the Olaga Mantapam (Saraswathi Mantapam)) in the North and the Ashtavadhana Seva is offered to the Goddess there. The Varothsava will run on from Karthika Amavasya to Jyestha Shuddha Ashtami.

Varothsavam (Weekly)
Daily rites like Thrikala Bali and other routine rituals arenithyothsavam. From Sri Mookambika Janmashtami to the commencement of Navarathri ( Ashwayuja Shuddha first) all rituals are performed at Purana Mantapam inside the temple. From the commencement of Navarathri till the Janmastami of Sri Mookambika, there is Palaki Uthsavam (palanquin) in the outer round of the temple and ashtavadhana seva is performed at the Saraswathi mantapam inside the temple.

Pakshotsavam(Fortnightly)
On all New moon days and Full moon days, after the Night Bali, the festival idol is carried to the Olaga Mantapam(Saraswathimantapam) in the west. This street festival is regularly observed. At the Olaga Mantapam, Pooja and Ashtavadhana Seva are performed. After the festival idol returns, the Kashaya Thirtha is distributed.

Navarathri festival
Every year, nine days of Navratri festival are celebrated with great pomp and show at Mookambika temple. Devotees from the Karnataka and the nearby state of Tamil Nadu, Kerela, Andhra Pradesh typically turn out in heavy numbers to pay their offerings during these auspicious nine days. Vijay Dashmi, the tenth day and end of Navarathri is considered to be the most significant and pious day for beginning education (Vidya Arambham). During the "Vidyarambha" ceremony, the symbol "OM" is written on the tongue of children, aged between two to three years with a turmeric twig. The children are then made to write alphabets in rice-grains. Also, on the Vijayadashami day, thousands of devotees perform the Aksharabhyasa Seva at the Saraswathi Mantapa.

During Navarathri, "Navadurgalankara" is performed. On the Mahanavami Day (the ninth day). Maha Chandika Yaga and Pushparathothsava are conducted on that day, i.e. a rathotsava is held by placing the Goddess Mookambika on the decorated pushparatha. (A chariot decorated with lots of flowers).

Dhanurmasa
During the month ofdhanu, every morning the routine poojas will be performed and every day special naivedyas will be offered and mangalarathi will be performed.

Shivarathri
On the day of Shivarathri, along with the routine poojas, special abhishekas,archanas, naivedyas and mangalarathi is offered. Along with that, several festivals are also held on the streets of Kollur which are known as beedhi utsava.

Varshika Utsava (The Annual Festival)
The annual festival of Mookambika temple is held every year during the month of March or April for nine days. During this period, along with daily worship rituals, special processions are also held. At noon shatha rudrabhishekha is generally performed. At 5.30 PM in the evening and at 10.00 PM in the night, various street festivals take place. The maha rathotsava is typically held on the eighth day. On ninth day the okuli festival" (like Holi) and the theppotsava are held on the Souparnika river.

Ugadi
On the day of Ugadi, the usual poojas will be made, with special preparation using neem leaves. In the evening, from 5.30 PM to 6.00 PM, special offerings and Mahamangalarathi are performed, followed by the traditional panchanga shravana. This is the considered as the beginning of a new year. On the evening of Ramanavami i.e after 15 days from Ugadi, special festivals are held to mark the completion.

Ashtabhandha Brahmakalashotsava
Ashtabhandha Brahmakalashotsava is performed once in twelve years. Abhisheka was performed on to the linga with 1008 kalashas (a vessel containing water - of which 1000 were made up of silver and 8 were made up of Gold) filled with sacred water.

Varshika Uthsavam (Annual Festival)
Varshika Utsavais celebrated for ten days.The Brahma Rathothsava falls on the Phalguna Bahula Moolanakshatra day (moolam nakshathram of meenam which generally comes in the month of March).
The celebrations are as follows:
1st day: Flag, Hoisting, raising the flag after the morning 'Punyaha' rites.
2nd day: Day rituals ( Evening about 5 o'clock) - Going around the village (Grama Pradhakshina) Pooja at Kaveramma's Katte, Vasantha, Night Rituals - Night Bali,. After the Ashtavadhana Seva, procession on the Mayura Vahana. to the Saraswathi Mantapam in the west.
3rd day: Day ritual Procession to the Saraswathi Mantapam in the North (Toppalu Katte), Night Ritual - Dolarohan, Pooja to the Goddess and procession to Saraswathi Mantapam in the West, Ashtavadhana Seva.
4th day: Day ritual Katte Pooja at Sri Gopalakrishna Temple, Vasantha, Night ritual- Goddess is carried on the 'Pushparatham' to the Saraswathimantapam in the west and pooja and Ashtavadhana Seva
5th day: Day ritual Procession to the katte at Sri Gopala Krishna Temple, Night ritual- the Goddess is carried on the Vrishabha vahana to the Saraswathi mantapam in the west and Ashtavadhana seva.
6th day: Day ritual Day ritual- Procession to the Patelara Katte at Balegadde. Night Ritual- Goddess is carried on the 'Gaja vahana' to the Saraswathi Mantapam in the west.
7th day: Day ritual Procession to the Sarasawathi mantapam in the west After the Pradoshapooja grand Rangapooja; Night Rituals- Bali. Goddess is carried on the Simha vahana to the Saraswath mantapam in the west for Pooja and Ashtavadhana Seva.
8th day: Maharathothsavam. Odu Bali and Brahma Ratha Arohanam in the morning at about 11-30. In the evening at about 5 o' clock, processions of theBrahma Ratham till the Saraswathi mantapam in the west.
9th day: Choornothsavam, Okuli, Avabhritha Snanam at the Sauparnika Ghat. Theppothsavam (roving), Mruga bete (Animal hunting) at night, pooja of Sridevi seated on the Horse. (From 8 o' clock in the night till 8 o' clock next morning)
10th day: Poornahuthi at the North Eastern Yagashala, lowering the flag (Dhawaja Avarohana).

Homam is a Sanskrit word which typically means performing spiritual prayers or making offerings to fire. In many places, homam is known as Havan or Yagnam. As per Hindu mythology, homam is a way - to renounce one's sins, to acquire peach of mind and to get a special purpose fulfilled. An individual or group of individuals can perform an homam depending on the kind of homam being undertaken. The ritual of Homam dates back to almost 5000 years when various well-versed sages and saints taught the significance and process of homam to purify body, mind and soul. Fire is believed to form an integral component of worshipping in Hinduism. As the holy smoke from a Homa permeates our dwellings, it not only eradicates all ill effects and negativity from such dwellings, but it also brings with it peace, happiness, prosperity wealth and contentment. A significant aspect of Homa is the mantra uttered by priests while performing the ritual. They ask the performer of the Homa to offer the ahuti or puja material into the fire and to chant "idam na mama "meaning this is not mine. When the possessive mama, meaning mine is eradicated from our thinking ahankar or ego too gets destroyed. This is the essence of Sanatana Dharma. It appeals to man to forsake his self-centeredness and offer himself to the service of others. Over the course of history, the Homa has spread out from the Indian subcontinent into several different religious cultures and in addition to south Asia, it is also found in central Asia, East Asia, South-East Asia as well as now in Europe and America.

The practice of homam was started to perform worship to a particular God and Goddess for getting desires fulfilled or improve the state of well-being for self or family. The procedure of performing a homam might differ depending upon the deity and occasion but generally, the major characteristics like chanting of the mantras, kindling and consecrating the fire, invoking of one or more deities, form the major components of a homam ritual. In Hinduism, any major activity, such as buying a new house, laying the foundation for a new business, naming a child, acquiring wealth and house prosperity and even having a marriage is done while performing a homam.

A priest or group of priests generally facilitate a homam. Homam is performed in a square-shapedHavan Kund which is made up of bricks (Vedi) and a holy fire is lit up inside it. All the devotees and priests sit around the fire. The priest chants mantras and offers samagris to the fire. A samagri is a sacred offering which is made up of various natural herbs and pure products. The homam samagri is considered as the food for deities for whom a homam is being performed. It is believed that while chanting mantras during a homam and making offerings to the fire, a special energy is created in the environment through which one can re-energized the chakaras which eventually help in rejuvenating body and alleviates peace of mind. It is also beneficial in purifying the atmosphere in and around the homam location.

The human race has always been intrigued by the presence of a divine superpower that forms the very basis of its existence. Offering prayers or worshipping is an act of showing gratefulness or being thankful to the supreme almighty for giving this life. As per Hindu mythology, there are millions of ways a life can exist on this planet. Getting born as a human being in itself is a once in a million-years opportunity given to human by God.

Pooja literally means "honour." This is important, because the practice and beliefs behind puja involve not just a formal veneration of the Gods and Goddesses, but also signifies entering into a particular sort of relationship with them. Puja involves the reception and honouring a deity. Through pooja, a personal relationship, often a very affectionate relationship, is formed with God. It also helps in restoring our faith and detaching us from harmful worldly materialistic things. So, it is imperative to value the life that has been given to you by almighty and pooja is a subtle way of thanking him. In the moments of despair, one seems to remember God. But in an ideal situation, one should be praying Gods on all sort of days, good or bad, ugly or beautiful, dark or bright as everything is owned and created by God. Fundamentally, pooja involves bhakti, in that one must approach and treat God with selfless love; indeed, this is the way in which bhakti is most typically put into practice. There is a purpose that we exist, and offering prayers bring us closer to our purpose and help in attaining nirvana.

Over the centuries, our ancestors have been performing pooja through different ways. Some through yagnas, homam, japam etc. To be spiritual is the way of life. Moments aligned in the service of God fill us with positivity and make our conscience active. In a pooja ceremony, we use certain objects, mantras and methods of worship. Outwardly, they are meant to propitiate or appease the deity who is being worshipped. Inwardly, they are meant to establish a deeper connection with him and earn his grace. The idea is that by using them in our worship we gain the grace and goodwill of God. The offerings to God should not also be made for personal gain but to express love and devotion without any specific objective. The significance of a pooja gets enhanced when performing with proper rituals and procedures as mentioned in our ancient mythology.

At Mookambika temple, there are various poojas and homam once can undertake to relinquish pain, difficulties, illness and achieve a state of well being and happiness. To find a predicament from misery, once can offer extensive prayers at Mookambika temple, as it is believed that Goddess Mookambika fulfils all the desires and wishes of her true devotes. One can obtain the services of old temple purohit or priests who have vast and widespread knowledge of pertinent chants and mantras related to a specific pooja or homam. The pious environment and positive energy of the temple make it easy for creating a resonating series of mantras which provide peace and ensure the authenticity of the ritual.

As per Hindu religious practices, homam is a sacred ritual performed according to the tenets of Holy Scriptures to invoke the blessings of a particular deity or deities with certain objectives. It is believed that Agni (God of fire) carries the dravya (offerings into the fire) to the concerned deity and causes fulfilment of wishes. It involves japam(chanting mantras) and kriyas (deeds). There are umpteen homams for various deities with various objectives. Some general objectives and HOMAMs traditionally performed for those purposes are mentioned below..

Seva at Mookambika temple is considered to be the utmost form of worshipping. There are many sevas one can undertake depending upon the purpose and devotion of an individual. Here are the Kollur Mookambika temple seva list. We have also included Mookambika pooja rates.