The Kukke Subramanya Temple is located in the village of Subramanya in Sullia Taluq, Dakshina Kannada district. Subramanya is located near Mangalore and is easily accessible from there.
District: Dakshina Kannada
Town: Subramanya
Temple: Kukke Subramanya Temple
Kukke Subramanya Temple – Overview
The Kukke Subramanya Temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, the Son of Lord Shiva. He is considered to be the Deva Senapathi that is commander of the army of the Devas. Here, He is worshipped as the Lord of snakes. The temple is set in a scenic spot which is still relatively not spoilt. A river runs in front of the temple, while in the background there is a beautiful mountain. Pilgrims have to cross this river, the Kumaradhara River, to reach the temple.
Kukke Subramanya Temple – History
Subramanya village used to be called Kukke Subramanya. According to Shankara Vijaya, Sri Adi Shankaracharya camped here for some time. Sri Shankara himself refers to this place in his ‘Subrahmanya Bhujangaprayata Stotram’ as ‘Bhaje Kukke Lingam’. The Sanatkumara Samhita of Skanda Purana describes this place and its religious importance.
Kukke Subramanya Temple – Architecture
This temple faces the east and the main entrance is present at the back of the Sanctum. Between the Sanctum and the entrance is the Silver Plated Garuda Kamba. This pillar is believed to protect devotees from the poisonous breath of Vasuki who resides inside the Sanctum.
Beyond this, there are two halls, the inner one leading to the sanctum. On the pedestal, there is the figure of Subramanya with Vasuki. A little lower, there is the figure of Sesha.
Kukke Subramanya Temple – Mythology
After defeating the Asura forces and killing their chiefs Tharakasura and Soorapadhma, Lord Subramanya came to this place. He washed his Shakti weapon in the river here. Indra, King of the Devas, prayed to Lord Subramanya to accept his daughter Devasena as his wife and Subramanya consented.
The marriage ceremony was performed here. Waters from all the holy rivers were brought here for the ceremony and it is believed that these waters fell down and became a river, known as Kumaradhara.
Vasuki, the King of serpents, prayed to Lord Subramanya to stay on here to protect his snake tribe against Garuda, the Divine Eagle. Lord Subramanya agreed. From then on, this place became important for people who want to perform Sarpadosha Puja.
Sarpa Dosha / Sarpa Samskara
Sarpa Samskara/Sarpa Dosha is the pooja performed to get rid of the sarpa dosha. Sarpa Dosha is believed to be afflicted by the sarpa (serpent) dosha (curse) either knowingly or un-knowingly through many ways in this birth or any of the previous births.
Advised by the astrologers /horoscope writers to perform this pooja for devotees well being, Pooja can be done either by the person afflicted if he is a male and married, or through a priest. This is because the pooja involves rituals similar to the ones done in performing shrartham (death rites). Sarpa Samskara seva devotees need to stay for two days at the temple premises.
The seva occurs during the day. Food arrangements will be provided to the devotees by the temple devastanam, for four persons only per seva. Many far and wide come here to perform this puja faiths.
Southadka Shree Mahaganapathi Kshetra
About kms from Kukke Subramanya Temple is ‘Southadka Shree Mahaganapathi Kshetra’ in the interiors of Kokkada. This is about 16 kms from Dharmasthala. The temple is decorated with lot of Bells mainly, offered by worshipers who have special wishes. One can find lot of monkeys inside the temple.
The Mahapuja is performed every year in the month of January. The temple also serves food to all the devotees in the form of prasadam.
How to get to Kukke Subramanya Temple
Daily Bus services are available from Mangalore and Bengaluru. Mangalore is the nearest airport and the nearest railway station is just 7 kms away – the Subramanya Road Railway Station (SBHR).
By Road: 105 kms from Mangaluru, 285 kms from Bengaluru, 151 kms from Karwar.
Daily Pooja Timing at Kukke Subramanya Temple
- Morning: 6 am – 7 am
- Noon: 11 am – 12 pm
- Night: 7 pm – 7.45 pm
Important Harike Sevas (Except on Ekadashi days)
- Sarpa Samskara: Rs. 1,500
- Naga Prthista: Rs. 250
- Ashlesha Bali: Rs. 250
- Maha Pooja: Rs. 300
Kukke Subramanya Temple – Facts
- Ashlesa Puja and Sarpa Dosha Puja are the special pujas conducted here
- Inside the temple, there is a cluster of Lingas. These are known as Kukke Lingas
- There are shrines here for Kala Bhairava and Uma Maheshwara
- Sringeri Mutt, Uttaradi Mutt and Sri Subramanya Mutt are located in the surrounding areas
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Source: Jobsnews