Place: Kukke Shree Subrahmanya Temple
Distance: 80 Kms from homestay
Address: Kukke Shree Subrahmanya Temple, Subrahamanya, Kadaba Taluk, Post – 574238, Dakshina Kannada District
Contact Number: 082572 81224
Email: eokukkesubrahmanya[at]gmail[dot]com
Kukke Subramanya Temple Overview
Kukke Subramanya Temple is a Hindu temple located in the village of Subramanya in the Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada District near Mangalore. The temple is one of the pristine pilgrimage locations in India. Here Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as the lord of all serpents.
Sri Kshetra is situated on the bank of river Kumaradhara. Kumaraswamy, who was born to suppress the evil demons, killed the Tarakadi Asuras in the war and when he came to Kumara Parvata with his brother Ganapati, Devendra gave his daughter Devasena to Kumaraswamy on the bank of river Kumaradhara Theertha on the day of Margashira Shuddha Shashti. However, he excused the prayer of Nagaraja Vasuki, who was performing penance there, and told Vasuki that he would settle in this realm along with the army of Gods and be always present with him from one point of view.
Kukke Shree Subrahmanya Kshetra, one of the seven realms of creation of Parasurama, is famous for Naga worship since the ages of mythology and history, and Lord Vasuki is the presiding deity of Shree Subrahmanya as a devotee of devotees. This field is also known as Gupta field.
The exact date of Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple is not available, but the Skandapurana and Srimad Shankaracharya mention this area in the 9th-10th century treatise “Shankara Vijayam” as “Bhaje Kukkelingam” and the 9th century Bantra inscription. The existence of Kukke Subrahmanya is estimated to have a history of around 5000 years as there is an ancient reference to the place name Kukke.
It is said that the temple was built because of the belief that Shri Subrahmanya resided in the Kukke field as a nagarupi. But it is believed that the presence of Udbava Swayam Murthy or the idols installed by the sages will give the devotees who come to see Subrahmanya the main benefits of procreation, auspiciousness, skin diseases and removal of Naga Dosha. The soil of Hutta given as basic prasadam is special here. The special pujas here are snake rites related to Naga Dosha, Ashela Bali, Naga Pratishshe services.
The temple is situated on a riverbed at the foothills of the Kumara mountain in the Western Ghats. The temple is surrounded by Kumara Parvata, Darpana Theertha River and Kumaradhara River in the eastern direction of the temple. As the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was dilapidated, the sanctum sanctorum was renovated in 2005 by the temple administration.
It is special that the main priest of the temple distributes Mula Mritika (huttada mudna) prasad to the devotees in the early morning auspicious muhurat along with various Vedic rituals from the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Devala on the Ekadashiya prior to the Champashashthi festival. Apart from this, the traditional practices like application of turmeric especially to Sri Gandha and Naga, offering of blossomed jaggery banana, water-milk abhisheka, Kalashasnana etc. are continuing. Kumaradhara river is the holy river here and there is a special belief that bathing here cures skin diseases. After the afternoon and night mahapuja in front of Shri Deva’s sanctum sanctorum, the devotees retain this prasad within themselves by consuming the basic prasad offered by the puja priests in the tirtha or by tying it to the body as protection in connection with the prayer service they perform for their Ishtartha Siddi.
Puja Activities
Ashlesha Bali ceremonies & Sarpa Samskara are two important Sarpa Dosha ceremonies done at Kukke Subramanya Temple apart from Kudupu, Mangaluru and Katukukke, Dakshina Kannada. Since 700 years, the poojas and daily rituals in the temple have been carried out by Shivalli Madhva Brahmins as per “Tantra Sara Sangraha” of Madhvacharya. Sixteenth century Madhva tradition saint Shri Vadiraja Tirtha has written about Kukke Subramanya temple and Kumaradhara river in his work, Tirtha Prabandha.
Ashlesha Bali
Ashlesha Bali is one of the important Kaalasarpa dosha ceremonies performed at Kukke Subramanya temple. Lord Subramanya is known as a protector from Kaalasarpa dosha and Kuja dosha. Kukke Sri Kshetra temple is the most popular for Sarpadosha. Aslesha Bali is performed during Aslesha nakshatra in each month in two shifts – 7:00 am and 9.15 am. Those who want to perform this ceremony 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, 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
Sarpa Samskara / Sarpa Dosha is one of the ceremonies performed by devotees at this temple to get rid of the Sarpa Dosha (according to belief, a person, either in this birth or in any of his previous births, could be afflicted by the Sarpa (serpent) Dosha (curse) either knowingly or unknowingly, through many ways). Persons who are afflicted with this dosha are advised by astrologers/horoscope writers to perform this ceremony for their own well-being. The ceremony can be done either by the afflicted person himself if he is male and married or through a priest. This is because the same involves rituals similar to those done while performing shraddha (tithi) (funeral rites). Sarpa Samskara devotees are required to be present for two days. The same is performed during the daytime, with no particular in the evening. Food arrangements will be made for these devotees by the devasthana, for up to four persons per ceremony.
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. Made Snana is the important and most favourite Seva to Lord Subramanya. Beedi Madesnana is also an important and favourite Seva to Lord Subramanya.
Important Poojas and their purpose
Sarpa Samskara
Sarpa Samskara is a significant puja performed to overcome the negative effects of serpent-related doshas or afflictions. It is believed to bring relief from various health issues, including those related to fertility and progeny.
Ashlesha Bali
Ashlesha Bali is a special pooja conducted to negate the adverse effects of planet Rahu and to seek protection against snake-related afflictions. It is performed in the temple courtyard on all Ashlesha Nakshatra days.
Nagapratishta
Nagapratishta is an elaborate and grand pooja dedicated to the Nagas or serpent deities. It is performed to gain blessings from the Nagas and to seek protection from snake-related troubles.
Sarpa Sooktha Homa
Sarpa Sooktha Homa is a special fire ritual conducted to appease the serpent deities and to seek their blessings. It is believed to eliminate obstacles, bring prosperity, and protect against snake-related issues.
Seva Pooja
Seva Pooja is a daily ritual in which devotees can participate and offer their prayers to Lord Subrahmanya. The cost of Seva Pooja varies depending on the specific ritual and offerings chosen.
Kukke Subramanya Temple Timings
| Open | 03:30 PM IST – 09:00 PM IST |
| 03:30 PM IST – 09:00 PM IST | |
| Close | 09:00 PM IST – 09:30 PM IST |
| Tulābhāra Sēve: | 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM IST |
Take off the shirt and banyan and get darshan of God.
Kukke Subramanya Temple Pooja Charges
| 1 | ಮಹಾರಥೋತ್ಸವ | 25000 |
| 2 | ಬೀದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಂದ್ರಮ0ಡಲ ಉತ್ಸವ | 6000 |
| 3 | ಚಿಕ್ಕರಥೋತ್ಸವ | 8000 |
| 4 | ರಾಜಾಂಗಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಶೇಷವಾಹನಯುಕ್ತ ಬಂಡಿ ಉತ್ಸವ | 3000 |
| 5 | ಪಂಚಾಮೃತ ಮಹಾಭಿಷೇಕ. | 6000 |
| 6 | ದೀಪಾರಾದನೆಯುಕ್ತ ಪಾಲಕಿ ಉತ್ಸವ. | 2500 |
| 7 | ಬೀದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೂವಿನ ತೇರಿನ ಉತ್ಸವ- | 5000 |
| 8 | ಪಾಲಕಿ ಉತ್ಸವಯುಕ್ತ ಮಹಾಪೂಜೆ | 1500 |
| 9 | ಇಡೀ ದಿನದ ಸಪರಿವಾರ ಸಂಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತ ಸೇವಾ | 2000 |
| 10 | ಮಹಾಪೂಜೆ (ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನದ ವಿನಿಯೋಗ) | 250 |
| 11 | ಪವಮಾನಯುಕ್ತ ಪಂಚಾಮೃತಾಭಿಷೇಕ | 100 |
| 12 | ಕಲಶಪೂಜಾಯುಕ್ತ ಪಂಚಾಮೃತಾಭಿಷೇಕ | 100 |
| 13 | ಪAಚಾಮೃತಾಭಿಷೇಕ | 75 |
| 14 | ರುದ್ರಾಭಿಷೇಕ | 75 |
| 15 | ಕ್ಷೀರಾಭಿಷೇಕ | 50 |
| 16 | ಶೇಷ ಸೇವೆ (ಅಷ್ಟೋತ್ತರ ಸಹಿತ) | 100 |
| 17 | ಹರಿವಾಣ ನೈವೇಧ್ಯ | 100 |
| 18 | ಕಾರ್ತಿಕ ಪೂಜೆ | 50 |
| 19 | ಪಂಚಕಜ್ಜಾಯ | 15 |
| 20 | ಚಿತ್ರಾನ್ನ ಸಮರ್ಪಣೆ | 100 |
| 21 | ಹಾಲುಪಾಯಸ | 100 |
| 22 | ಸಹಸ್ರನಾಮ ಅರ್ಚನೆ | 25 |
| 23 | ಅಷ್ಟೋತ್ತರ ಅರ್ಚನೆ | 20 |
| 24 | ಚವಲ (ಸ್ಥಳ ಕಾಣಿಕೆ) | 25 |
| 25 | ನಾಗಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠೆ | 400 |
| 26 | ತುಲಾಭಾರ (ವಜ್ನಿ ಜೀನಸಿನ ಖರೀದಿ ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕ) | 75 |
| 27 | ಮಂಗಳಾರತಿ | 5 |
| 28 | ತ್ರಿಶತಿ ಅರ್ಚನೆ | 25 |
| 29 | ಡೋಲೋತ್ಸವ | 300 |
| 30 | ಮಂಟಪೋತ್ಸವ | 300 |
| 31 | ರಾತ್ರಿ ಮಹಾಪೂಜೆ | 150 |
| 32 | ರಾತ್ರಿ ಮಹಾಪೂಜಾಯುಕ್ತ ಪಾಲಕಿ ಉತ್ಸವ | 1250 |
| 33 | ನಂದಾದೀಪ (೧ ತಿಂಗಳಿಗೆ) | 400 |
| 34 | ಸ0ತರ್ಪಣೆ (ಜನ ೮ಕ್ಕೆ) | 200 |
| 35 | ಕಿವಿ ಚುಚ್ಚುವುದು (ಸ್ಥಳ ಕಾಣಿಕೆ) | 20 |
| 36 | ಅನ್ನಪ್ರಾಶನ | 25 |
| 37 | ನಾಮಕರಣ | 150 |
| 38 | ಆಶ್ಲೇಷ ಬಲಿ | 400 |
| 39 | ಆಶ್ಲೇಷ ಉದ್ಯಾಪನೆ | 400 |
| 40 | ಷಷ್ಠಿವ್ರತ ಉದ್ಯಾಪನೆ | 400 |
| 41 | ಉಪನಯನ (ಬ್ರöಹ್ಮಪ್ರತಿಷ್) | 500 |
| 42 | ಸತ್ಯನಾರಾಯಣ ಪೂಜೆ | 500 |
| 43 | ಮೃಷ್ಟಾನ್ನ ಸಂತರ್ಪಣೆ | 500 |
| 44 | ಮಹಾಪೂಜೆ (ಇಡೀ ದಿನದ ವಿನಿಯೋಗ) | 400 |
| 45 | ಸರ್ಪಸಂಸ್ಕಾರ-ನಾಗಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠೆ | 4200 |
*The above costs are approximate and subject to change. It is advisable to check with the temple authorities for the most up-to-date information regarding the pooja costs and procedures
Places to visit near Kukke Subramanya Temple
Kumara Parvatha near Kukke Subramanya is a popular trekking destination. Dharmasthala (55kms), Sakleshpur (60 kms), Madikeri (75 kms), Bisle Ghat (20 kms) are some of the attractions to visit along with Kukke Subramanya
How to reach Kukke Subramanya Temple
Kukke Subramanya is 280 kms from Bengaluru and 105 kms from Mangaluru (nearest airport). Subramanya Road railway station is 12 kms from Kukke Subramanya. Limited bus services are available to reach Kukke from Mangaluru or Bengaluru.
Mekanagadde Homestay
Guests planning a relaxing holiday along with Kukke Subramanya Temple visit then Mekanagadde Homestay in Mudigere is the best option. Guests travelling from Bangalore or North part of Karnataka can plan 2 nights stay since our homestay is on the way to the temple. Usually we suggest to travel in the morning to the temple and return back to the homestay post temple lunch.