Kukke
Subramanya Temple
Kukke Subramanya is a Hindu temple located in the
village Subramanya, of Kadaba taluk in Dakshina Kannada district Karnataka. In
this temple 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.
The Kukke Subramanya Temple is located in the
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.
About
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 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 centre 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.
Legend
According to one belief, after killing the demon
rulers Tharaka and his followers in a war, Lord Shanmukha reached Kumara
Parvatha with his brother Ganesha. He was received by Indra. Indra prayed Lord
Kumara Swamy to marry his daughter Devasena for which the Lord readily agreed.
The divine marriage took place on Margashira shudha shashti at Kumara Parvatha.
Gods 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 as 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 or Ashlesha Bali is one of the
important Kaalasarpa dosha ceremonies performed at Kukke Subramanya
temple. Lord Subramanya is known as the protector from Kaalasarpa dosha and
Kuja dosha. Aslesha Bali is performed on Aslesha nakshatra in each
month.
Aslesha
Bali in Kukke Subramaya temple will be performed in two
shifts – 7:00 am and 9.15 am. After the
completion of Homa Poornahuthi, devotees will get prasada. Devotees
believe Shravana masa, Karthika masa, and Margashira masa are the most
auspicious months to perform Aslesha bali at Kukke temple.
Sarpa
Samskara / Sarpa Dosha is one
of the ceremonies performed by devotees at this temple to get rid of the Sarpa
Dosha. Persons who are afflicted with this dosha perform this ceremony for
their own wellbeing. These rituals are similar to those done while performing
shraadha (tithi). Sarpa Samskara devotees are required to be present for two
days.
Made
Snana is the important and
most favourite Seva to Lord Subramanya.
How to
get there
Kukke Subramanya is about a 105 km from Mangalore and can be easily reached by train, buses or taxis. The temple lies in the Kadaba Taluk in Dakshina Kannada.