MOOKAMBIKAI KOIL KOLLUR

THE RIVER SOUPARNIK'S ORIGIN

An interesting episode connects this hills with Hanuman's life. It is believed that when Hanuman carried Sanjivini Paravat to revive the fainted army along with Lakshman, a peak from the Sanjivini fell here. And that contained as many as 64 divyaoushadhas in addition to 64 divya thirthas. Hence their existence here and popularity unhindered even today. The holy river Souparnika, takes its origin here and flows through dense forests, rich in minerals and medicinal herbs of different kinds, and so possesses the curative power. It is formed by two rivulets called Kasi Thirtham and Vahni thirtham and their confluence is very close to the temple.It has many ghats, and near the main bathing ghat there is a Ganesh temple. Taking bath in the river, pilgrims worship Lord Ganesh and go to Kali shrine where they greet a six-foot-high ant-hill in the garbha griha.

Each inch of the bank is held sacred, since it is here Suparna - the eagle vahana of Lord did penance and obtained salvation. His association gave the river its name Souparnika. It is holy, the water is holier and the bather becomes holiest, why a sip or sprinkle on the head is deemed highly meritorious. Scat is reverentially utilized both for regular and occasional prayer services. The water is so efficacious that it refreshes and quietens the fevered mind and body. It acquired such venerated names as Roganivarani and Papanasini due to curing physical ailments and releasing one from sins.

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