Kukke Subrahmanya (Tulu/ Kannada: ಕುಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣ್ಯ) is a Hindu temple located in the small, rural village of Subramanya in the Sullia taluk of Dakshin Kannada District near Mangalore , India. This temple is one of the pristine pilgrimage locations in India. Here Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as the lord of all serpents. The epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found safety under Lord Subrahmanya when apprehended by Garuda.

Temples

Kukke Subrahmanya Temple:

Pilgrims going to the Temple have to cross the Kumaradhara River and take a holy dip in it before they go on to the temple to have their darshan holy viewing of the Lord.

The devotees enter the courtyard from the back side and walk around to go before the idol. There is Garuda pillar covered with silver between the sanctuary and the portico entrance. It is believed that the pillar was charmed and planted there to shield the devotees from the poison flames streaming from the breath of Vasuki who resides inside. Devotees circle the pillar. Beyond the pillar is the outer hall and then the inner hall and after that the sanctuary of Sri Subrahmanya. In the center of sanctuary is a pedestal. On the upper dais stands the idol of Sri Subrahmanya and then the idol of Vasuki and somewhat lower the idol of Shesha. Devotions to these deities take place daily.

Adi Subrahmanya Temple :

Location: ½ km to the west of main temple

Timings: 6 am to 6:30 pm

The senescent temple of Adi Subrahmanyam lays in scenic leafage of bamboo plantations skirted by mountain all sides. Adi Subrhmanya houses ancient anthills worshipped as Vasuki; many devotees get a hand full of mrittika (soil) that is considered as sacred and officinal.

Sarpa Samskara/Sarpa Dosha is one of the poojas performed at this temple by devotees to get rid of the sarpa dosha (according to belief, a person either in this birth or any of his previous births can be afflicted by the sarpa (serpent) dosha (curse) either knowingly or un-knowingly through many ways). Persons who are afflicted with this dosha are advised by the astrologers /horoscope writers to perform this pooja for their 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 are required to stay for two days. The seva occurs in the day time with no particular poojas in the evening. Food arrangements will be provided to the said devotees by the temple devastanam, for four persons only per seva

Due to the wide belief in the snake god in the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka and Kerala, this pooja is performed by people from all faiths.

How to reach

Kukke subramanya can be reached by road from Mangalore and Bangalore .KSRTC operates buses on a daily basis from these two places. The nearest airport is the the Bajpe Airport, the Mangalore International Airport, at a distance of 115 km. The nearest railway station is Subramanya Road (SBHR) railway station on Mangalore-Bangalore railway route, which is 7 km from Kukke Subramanya. There is a daily passenger train service from Mangalore (Train No. 061/0652). The train leaves Mangalore at 10:30 a.m. and reaches Subrahmanya Road Railway Station by 1:00 p.m. One can catch a local transport from the station for a journey of 15 minutes to the temple (approx Rs. 20 per head).

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