Kukke Subramanya is a Hindu temple located in the village of Subramanya,
Karnataka Here Kartikeya is worshipped as Subramanya, lord of all serpents. The
epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refuge
under Subramanya when threatened by the Garuda.
Geography The Kukke Subramanya Temple is located
in the beautiful Western Ghats range of Karnataka. Overlooking the temple is the
famous mountain of Kumara Parvatha, a popular hiking destination for trekkers
from across South India. Kumara Parvatha forms a picture-perfect backdrop to the
temple entrance and the Shesha Parvatha looks like a cobra with its open hood,
as if protecting the temple shrine of Lord Subramanya. The temple is situated
on the western slopes of the Ghats and is covered with dense evergreen forests.
About Kukke Lapped in the luxurious abundance
of the beauty of the nature the village of Subramanya lies in the Sullia Taluk
in Dakshina Kannada with a sancity which very few places can boast of. The temple
is situated in the heart of the village. Nature reveals herself in all her
unhidden beauty in the rivers, forests and mountains which the temples is
surrounded by. It is about a 105 km from Mangalore and can be easily reached by
train,buses or taxis.Subramanya used to be called as Kukke Pattana in the past.
In the 'Shankara Vijaya' Anandagiri observes that Sri Shankaracharya camped
here for a few days during his religious expedition. Shankaracharya referred to
this place as 'Bhaje Kukke Lingam' in his 'Subrahmanya Bhujangaprayata
Stotram'.Sri Subrahmanya kshetra has been brilliantly described in the
'Thirthakshetra Mahimanipurana' chapter of the Sahyadrikhanda comprised in the
Sanatkumara Samhita of Skanda Purana. This kshetra is situated in the banks of
the river 'Dhara' which originates in the Kumara mountain and proceeds to the
western sea. Temple
Pilgrims going to the temple have to cross the Kumaradhara River and take a
holy dip in the river before entering the temple for their darshan holy
viewing of the Lord. The devotees enter the courtyard from
the doorway at the back, and circumambulate the deity. Between the
sanctorum and the portico entrance, there is the Garuda pillar covered with
silver. Devotees circumambulate this pillar. It is believed that this pillar
was enchanted and planted there to shield devotees from the poisonous
flames arising from the breath of Vasuki, who resides inside. Beyond the
pillar is the outer hall, the inner hall, and then the sanctorum of Sri
Subrahmanya. At the center of sanctorum is a pedestal. On the upper dais stands
the deity of Sri Subrahmanya and the deity of Vasuki and, at a somewhat lower
level, the deity of Shesha. Ritual worship is offered to these deities
every day.The temple is slowly increasing in popularity, owing to its
religious significance and importance. History
According to one Mythology, after killing the demon rulers, Tharaka,
Shurapadmasura and their followers in a war, Lord Shanmukha reached Kumara
parvatha with his brother Ganesh and others. He was received by Indra and his
followers. Indra being very happy prayed Lord Kumara swamy to accept and marry
his daughter Devasena for which the Lord readily agreed. The divine marriage took
place on Margashira shudha shashti at Kumara parvatha. Gods like Brahma,
Vishnu, Rudra and many other deities assembled for the marriage and
coronation ceremony of Shanmukha for which waters of several holy rivers were
brought. With these waters of Mahabhisheka fell down to form a river
which was later known by the popular name Kumaradhara.The great Shiva Bhakta
and Serpent king Vasuki was performing tapas for years in the Biladwara caves
of Kukke Subrahmanya to avoid the attack of Garuda. Following Lord Shiva`s
assurance Shanmuka gave darshan to Vasuki and blessed him that he would
stay with his parama bhakta in this place forever. Hence the poojas offered
to Vasuki or Nagaraja are nothing but the poojas to Lord Subrahmanya.
Puja Activities Ashlesha Bali Pooja & Sarpa Samskara are
two important Sarpa Dosha Poojas are done at Kukke Subramanya Temple.
= Ashlesha Bali= Ashlesha Bali Puja or Ashlesha Bali
pooja is one of the important Kaalasarpa dosha pujas performed at Kukke
Subramanya temple. Lord Subramanya is known as the protector from Kaalasarpa
dosha and Kuja dosha. Kukke Sri Kshetra temple is the most popular for
Sarpadosha puja. Aslesha Bali puja is performed on Aslesha nakshatra in each
month. Aslesha Bali puja in Kukke Subramaya
temple will be performed in two shifts – 7:00 am and 9.15 am. Those who want to
perform this puja need to report for sankalpa with Purohita inside the temple
either at 7:00 am or 9.15 am. After the completion of Homa Poornahuthi Puja,
devotees will get prasadam. Devotees believe Shravana masa, Karthika masa,
and Margashira masa are the most auspicious months to perform Aslesha
bali puja at Kukke temple. = Sarpa Samskara / Sarpa Dosha=
Sarpa Samskara / Sarpa Dosha is one of the poojas performed by devotees at this
temple to get rid of the sarpa dosha dosha either knowingly or unknowingly,
through many ways). Persons who are afflicted with this dosha are advised by
astrologers / horoscope writers to perform this pooja for their own
wellbeing. Pooja can be done either by the afflicted person himself if he is
male and married, or through a priest. This is because the pooja involves
rituals similar to those done while performing shrartham. Sarpa Samskara
seva devotees are required to be present for two days. The seva is performed
during the daytime, with no particular poojas in the evening. Food arrangements
will be made for these devotees by the temple devasthanam, for up to four
persons per seva. Due to the widespread belief in the
snake god in Tulunad region of Karnataka and Kerala, this pooja is performed by
people of all faiths. Transport
Kukke Subrahmanya can be reached by road from Mangaluru and from Bengaluru. KSRTC
operates buses on a daily basis from these two places. The nearest airport is
the Mangalore International Airport, at a distance of 115 km. The nearest
railway station is Subrahmanya Road Railway Station on Mangaluru-Bengaluru
railway route, which is 7 km from Kukke Subrahmanya. The station is a 15-minute
trip to the temple. See also
Ghati Subramanya Temple Kartikay
Kartikkeya Saarvajanika Nagabrahmastana
Moodanidambooru, Bannanje , Udupi References
External links Temple's Official Website