Subramanya Temple - Kukke

Kukke Sri Subrahmanya temple located on the banks of river Kumaradhara at Kukke is dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya (Murugan). It is located in the village of Subramanya in the Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada District near Mangalore, Karnataka, India.

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 (Digvijaya). 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.

History

According to one Mythology, after killing the demon rulers, Tharaka, Shurapadmasura and their followers in a war, Lord Shanuka 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.

Important Festivals :

Time	Name of the Festival
From Karthika Bahula Dwadashi Margashira Shuddha Dwadashi	Champa Shashti Rathothsava
Pushya Shuddha Shashti	Kirushashti Utsava
Magha Shuddha Sapthami	Ratha Sapthami Utsava
Makara Sankramana	Kukke Linga Jatra
Mesha Sankramana	Vishu Sankramana Utsava
Magha Bahula Thrayodashi	Maha Shivarathri
Sharavana Shuddha Panchami	Nagara Panchami

TEMPLE  Schedule :

5.00 A.M.	Temple Door Open, Govu Pooja
5.30 A.M. to 6.00 A.M.	Ushakala Pooja
6.30 A.M. to 10.00 A.M.	Sevas by the devotees
10.00 A.M. to 12.15 P.M.	Madhyanna Pooja Consisting of Kalashapooja, Panchamrutha Abhisheka, Archana, Mahanaivedya, Mahamangalarathi
12.30 P.M. to 1.30 P.M.	Distribution of Theertha Prasada
11.30 A.M. to 2.00 P.M.	Anna Santharpane
3.30 P.M. to 6.00 P.M.	Hannukai Seva, Mangalarathi by the devotees
6.00 P.M. to 7.45 P.M.	Nisha Pooja, Mahamangalarathi
7.45 P.M. to 8.30 P.M.	Distribution of Theertha Prasada, Closing the main doors
7.30 P.M. to 9.30 P.M.	Anna Santharpane (Night Meals)

NOTE :  

On special occasions the timings will be changed accordingly.

SACRED PLACES :

Shree Subrahmanya :
Lord Subrahmanya is the main deity of Subrahmanya. The main entrance of the temple lies to the east. The devotees will enter from west through main Gopuram and enters the inner quadrangle from the east. There is a pedestal in the centre of the sanctum. On the upper Dias there is the idol of Shree Subrahmanya and then the idol of Vasuki and little lower the idol of Shesha. While entering the inner quadrangle devotees should remove their shirts and banyans.

 Kukke Linga :
To the west of inner sanctum there is a cluster of Lingas known as Kukke Lingas. The Lingas were kept in basket.

Kala Bairava Devaru :
The shrine of Lord Bairava is situated at the southern side of the inner sanctum.

Umamaheshwara :
This image can be found in the north eastern side of the main sanctum. The images of Soorya, Ambika, Vishnu and Ganapathi are also found here.

Hosoligamma :
The shrine of Hosoligamma lies to the southern side of the main sanctum. The images of Soorya, Ambika, Vishnu and Ganapathi are also found here.

 Sringeri Mutt :
This mutt is situated to north east of the main sanctum in the outer quadrangle. Chandramauleshwara is the main deity of this temple.

Ballalaraya Vigraha :
This statue of Ballala King can be found while entering the main temple. It is believed that Subrahmanya was once the capital of Ballala King.

Uttaradi Mutt :
This Mutt is situated on the northern side of car street.

Adi Subrahmanya :
A road on the northern side of the main Gopuram leads to Adi Subrahmanya. 0.25 KM of walk will take you to Adi Subrahmanya temple. One can see a great Valmmika (anthill) in the sanctum. Here daily poojas are conducted and devotees can offer sevas to Shree Subrahmanya.

Kashikatte Ganapathi :
This is situated beside the main road towards Kumaradhara about 0.25 KM from the main temple. Here temples of Ganapathi and Anjaneya are seen. It is believed that the idol of Ganapathi found here is very ancient and installed by sage Narada.

Biladwara :
On the way from main temple of Kumaradhara you come across a very sacred place called Biladwara which is 0.30 KM from the main temple. It is said that Vasuki (Serpentking) lay hiding in this cave in order to escape from Garude. It is a cave surrounded by beautiful garden.

Kumaradhara river (Bathing Ghat) :
A holy river sanctifies this pilgrim center. It originates from Kumaraparvatha. As a natural charmer, the river cascades down great height and muters lush vegetation of the region. Its journey links with Nethravathi, a holy river of Dakshina Kannada district and joins Arabian Sea. As the river flows over the rocks and thick forest areas it is sure that all the skin diseases will be cured if pilgrims take bath in this river.
Note : As the river is very deep and flows very fast one has to take care while taking bath.

Darpana Theertha :
A tributary of Kumaradhara flows in front of the outer quadrangle of the main temple. It is believed that a mirror (Darpana) and an Akshaya patra (Kopparige with full of gold jewels) happened to come floating down from mountain and the same was collected by temple authority.

Sri Subrahmanya Mutt :
This Mutt belonging to the Dwaitha tradition, situated to the south east of outer quadrangle of the Temple. It is belived that Sri Madwacharya made his brother Vishnuteerthacharya, his disiple and gave this Mutt. The present sheer of this Mutt is Sri Sri Sri Vidyaprasanna Theertha Swamiji. Now Mutt runs a educational Institution provides value based education at Bilinele. Kukke shri Abhaya Ganapathi Temple, Sri Vanadurga DeviTemple, Somanatha Temple and Samputa Narasimha Temple are also managed by the Mutt.

Samputa Narasimha :
This Temple is situated in the south eastern side of the main sanctum. It is believed that the image of this God is handed over to Madvacharya by Shree Veda Vyasa.This temple belongs to Shree Subrahmanya Mutt.

 Vanadurga Devi Temple :
This temple lies about 0.50KM away from the main temple, Recently this was renovated by using specially designed red stones on traditional style. Daily poojas are conducted here and devoteed offer sevas to Goddess.

Kukke Shree Abhaya Mahaganapathi :
It is situates on the left side of the main road to Kumaradhara, about 0.45 KM from the main temple. It is one of the biggest monolithic statues of Ganapa. It is 21 feet tall. The architecture of the shrine is in Nepali style.

Somanatha Temple Agrahara :
This ancient temple is situated on the left bank of Kumaradhara. It is 1.5 KM far from main temple. This place is also called Panchami Theertha. In this place Swamijis of Shree Subrahmanya Mutt are entombed. About 16 tombs of Swamijis are found here.

Basaveshwar Temple Kulkunda :
On the way to Mangalore, 2 KM from the main temple, you come across the Basaweshwara temple. Idol of Basava kept here openly.

Hari Hareshwara Temple :
A small but mythologically significant place of worship, Harihareshwara temple is situated 8 KM away from Subrahmanya town. It is the abode of both Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) A panoramic view of the Western Ghat can be seen if you stand in front of this Temple.

Do's and Dont's at Temple

·                 Devotees should not enter the temple without taking bath.

·         Devotees should not enter the temple wearing shirt, coat, banians and caps.

·         Umbrella, Sticks, Materials made of animal skin should not be brought inside the temple.

·         Chewing betal leaves, tobacco, Gutka is prohibited inside the temple.

·         Devotees should not enter the temple oiling their heads or body.

·         Devotees are not allowed to enter the temple with foot wears.

·         Mobile Phones are strictly prohibited inside the temple.

·         Devotees with uncomfortable injuries are not allowed inside the temple.

·       Female devotees should not enter the temple for the first 5 days of their menstruation period.

·         Female devotees should not enter the temple when pregnant after sixth month or late.

·         People suffering from epilepsy or madness should not enter the temple.

·         Devotees should maintain discipline and follow the rules of Vaidhika Dharma.

·         Cleaning of the temple should be maintained.

·         Smoking and Spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

       Devotees can get more or specific information from the Executive Officer of the temple

How to reach 

By Bus

KSRTC operates bus services from many neighboring cities to Kukke Subramanya. Buses at regular intervals are available from Mangalore and Bangalore.

By Train

Nearest rail head is Subramanya Road railway station, which is nearly 7 km from Kukke in the Mangalore - Bangalore rail route. 

By Air

Mangalore is the nearest Airport, which is 108 km away and Bangalore is the nearest major international Airport, which is 282 km away. Bangalore airport is well connected to almost all airports in India. International flights to major foreign cities are also operated from Bangalore.