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The western side of the district rest upon the Western Ghats called the shard; it is a very mountainous area; the raise towards the west of the Ghats is very rapid; A height of 1,343 mts (4,405 mts) being attained at KODCHADRI, mountain on whose summit meet the two boundaries of Shimoga and south kanara dist. Is a fine peak situated about 16.1 kms north -west of Nagar.The town is surrounded by a wealth of fascinating legend. Its original name was Kollapura and it is mentioned as far back as in the skandapurana and the Bhairavapurana.The story goes that rishi,by name Kolla, who lived in the Sahyadri Mountains, pleased Lord Shiva with his devotion and penance. The Lord appeared before him and told him that the place would be name after him. He also directed the rishi to worship a linga in Kollapura because the Devi would appear in it and it would become sacred. Around this time, a demon, Mahishaswara was terrorising the people of Kollapura and who was granted the same boon as Mahishaswara.
At the people's request from the people, the Devi once again offered to kill the demon This demon had been granted a boon- no mortal would be able to kill him. Therefore, Rishi Kolla prayed to Harihara, the incarnation of Shiva and Vishnu, who took the form of the Devi and killed the demon. The rishi pleaded with the Devi to stay in the town and forever protect its people. The goddess then transformed herself into a divine light and merged with the linga. Thus, it is known as the JYOTHIRLINGA and is considered more scared than the shivalingas at Gokarna, Kashi Rameshwaram. A Golden line, called the swarnarekha, which runs across the linga, is said to symbolize the merger. The right side is believed to be the human form of Hariahara, while the left represents the incarnation of the Devi of the three shakthis Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Parvathi, Panchaloha idol of the goddess Parvathi in the temple Behind the Jyothirlinga. The Mookambika temple, with its copper roof and gold plate Crests, makes for a beautiful sight. A waterfall nearby, called Arasinna gundhi
The legend of Mookambika is equally interesting. It revolves around another the western side of the district rest upon the Western Ghats called the shard.
Activities: Trekking; camping; campfire; Trek to falls; pilgrimage trip.
Terrain; - novice; / moderate; | extreme
Accommodation: PWD Guesthouse, Home stay or camping.
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