by T. A. Basubramanian

The Mookambika Devi Temple of Kollur, near Mangalore, dedicated to the deity of the same name, is one of the most prominent shrines for people in the states of Karnataka and Kerala, India, as it is the site of a pancha-loha (five-metal alloy) ‘jyotir linga’ with divine attributes.

Kollur is one of the seven pilgrimage destinations created by Parashurama. The Mookambika Temple is the only one devoted to Parvathi – whereas the other six sites are devoted to Shiva and his sons.

It is believed that Adi Shankara himself installed the idol of the deity in the temple some 1,200 years ago. Millions of devotees have high faith in this temple as Mookambika is regarded as a manifestation of Parvati, Saraswathi and Lakshmi.

This book (written by two ardent devotees) has two parts – the first part chronicles the story of the late Vishnu Sadanand Nayak (known as Swamiji) and his transformation from an ordinary householder to a ‘patri’ (divine messenger or medium) selected by Mookambika Devi through many miraculous interventions. The second part is about Swamiji’s son, Satyendra Nayak, who carries on the tradition of his father.

Acting as a compassionate oracle, Swamiji (and subsequently his son and successor, Satyendra) has channelled Mookambika’s grace to hundreds of devotees – many of them, surprisingly, from the medical profession. In story after story narrated by astounded people it becomes evident that the deity of Kollur has immense influence in guiding the lives of her faithful devotees with unbelievable miracles and interventions – sometimes helping them avoid calamities and even fatal actions.

To the millions of devotees of Mookambika – and possibly to all those who believe in the power of the Divine – this book would be an anchor for collectively validating their faith. It reminds one that in this age of material obsessions, there are miraculous and inexplicable powers at work that no science or logic can explain.