Goddess Mookambika is another form
Goddess Durga, the fierce form of
Goddess Shakti. There is a legend behind the appearance of the goddess in this form.
Once, a demon called Kaumasura obtained a boon from Lord Shiva and was leading his life in a pompous manner. Thus Kudachadri became the hiding place for all the gods and divine beings who became helpless against his harassment.
On hearing from Guru Shukracharya about the means of his death at the hands of a woman, Kaumasura performed an austere penance to please Shiva. Vagdevi, the goddess of speech sensed Kaumasura's trick and made him speechless, so that he could not ask any boon from the lord. From then onwards, Kaumasura came to be known as Mookasura. Goddess Mookambika killed Mookasura at Maarana Ghat. Since that day, the goddess has resided at this holy place Kollur by the name Mookambika, fulfilling the wishes of all her devotees.
