Kukke Subrahmanya tourism and travel guide
Overview
The road to Kukke Subramanya passes through the plantations of coffee and spice plantations of Shiradi Ghat. Meanwhile some awesome views of quaint scenes of hills, forests, valleys and gurgling mountain stream keep the travellers absorbed of the God’s natural beauty. Twenty two km before the Subrahmanya Temple a short stretch of not-so-well-maintained roads, amidst dense foliage of bamboo and oak trees and under cool climes, leads to the pilgrimage. The scene of the temple is as prepossessing as that of a postcard picture.
Against the backdrop of Kumaraparvat in the Western Ghats, near the sacred river Kumaradhara, the winsome pilgrimage of Subrahmanya is located in the Sullia Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district of coastal Karnataka.
Kukke Subrahmanya Shrine is located in Dakshin Kannada of the coastal Karnataka. Kukke Subrahmanya is well connected with rest of India, Mangalore can be used as a base location
Important distances form major Cities around
Kasargod 83 km
Madikeri 66 km
Mangalore 107 km
Bangalore 266 km
Nearest Airport: Mangalore Airport is the closest access for flights from Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and other parts of India. Kukke Subrahmanya is 110 km from the Mangalore Airport and the taxi fare would be costing around Rs 1200.
Nearest Railway Station: Mangalore Railway Station and Subramanya Road Railway Station (SBRS) are two rail stations that connect the shrine to other parts of the world. Mangalore Railway Station has better connectivity than Subramanya Railway Road.
By Road: Kukke Subramanya is well connected to Bangalore, Dharamshala, Mangalore, and Mysore. KSRTCÂ?s Rajhamsa buses ply overnight from Bangalore (8hrs/Rs 230). Private buses connect Kukke Subrahmanya to Mangalore.
Route from Mangalore
Mangalore Railway Station ? takes Falnir Road (NH 48) ? Perne ? continues on NH 48 to Kukke Subramanya Temple.
Driving Directions
Route from Bangalore: NH4 to Nelamangala; NH 48 to Sakleshpur via Kunigal and Hassan’ district; road to Kukke Subramanya.
Bangalore-->NH4-->Neelmaangala--->NH48--->Sakleshpur--->Via Kunigal--->Hassan district road--->Kukke Subramanya-->Gundya.
From Mangalore: The route for Mangalore traverses through the NH49 to Uppinangad via BC road, state highway to Kukke Subramanya via Kadaba.
Route from Mangalore--->NH49--->Uppinangad--->BC road-->State Highway--->Kukke Subramanya.
By Airport: Mangalore is the nearest airport which nestled 110km from Kukke Subramanya.
By Rail: The nearest rail head is the Mangalore Railway station which is well connected to the major cities of India.
There are many attractions around but few are listed below and recommended while you visit the shrine next time
Kumaraparvatha
Distance: 15 km from Kukke Subrahmanya
Kumaraparvat Mountain is located to the east of the Kukke Subrahmanya Shrine without any proper concrete roads leading to the shrine. A moderate trek on the footpath takes the enthusiasts to the hilltop from where mesmerizing visuals enchant every onlooker. To ease out strenuous trek, the seekers can take a break at Girigadde, 8 km from the Subrahmanya Shrine. A small food joint is run by a family residing at Girigadde and provide a pre-informed stay/rest facilities.
Kumardhara River
Distance: 2 km west of Subrahmanya Shrine
The river that flows gorgeously down Kumaraparvat Mountains in enchanting surroundings, Kumardhara River is an excellent place to sit and meditate by. Devotees can take bath at Mathysa Tirth at Kumaradhara River.
Biladwara
Distance: 1km of South West of the Shrine
The Biladwara caves are located by the side of main road in a natural garden. According to Hindu Mythology, the cave served shelter to Vasuki, the serpent God during his battle with Garuda. The cave is 10 m in length. Pilgrims can not take a tour in the cave with their chappals (slippers/shoes) on; they must leave it outside the cave.
Kashikatte
Location: 3 km from the shrine
This is about three furlongs from the temple on the main entrance to the Kshetra. Anjaneya and Vigneshwara shrines are installed in this place.
Yadakumeri Railway tunnels
Distance: 30 km
It is an awesome sight that can be seen en route Mangalore – Bangalore train trip. Yedakumeri hill station is located close to Saklespur junction. While on the trek, the trekkers can sneak peek into the fog of the clouds and take up the escalation amidst an amazing scene of 56 rail tunnels to one side and undulation of mountains to another side. Yedukumeri is an amazing creation of man, blended with natural creation.
Sri Mangala Devi Temple, Bolar
Location: 3 km from the railway station
Timings: 6 am-1pm; 4-8:30 pm
Gorakhnath, a devotee of Matsyendranath, spiritual leader of the Nath sect built a temple for Shakti here. The deity came to be known as Mangala Devi. The idol is resplendently dressed with silks, ornaments and precious stones and jewelry and Devi’s Bimba (reflection) is shown in the morning before the Puja commences.
Manjunath Temple, Kadri
Location: 5 km to the east of the bus stand
Timings: 6 am-1 pm, 4-8 pm
Mahapuja: 8 am, noon and evening at 8 pm.
*Mahashivaratri is an important festival
A huge ornate Rajagopuram at Manjunatha Temple is an excellent sight that transports you ages back in the 10th – 11th centuries. In the premises are located the bronze statue of Lord Trilokeshwara, one of the oldest
Kiomoi Must Do's
The Kiomoi Must Do’s are as follows:
*The travellers must make a visit to all the pilgrimage centres in the region.
*Kukkey Subrahmanya temple, Balamuri Ganapati Temple, Mangala Devi Temple, Manjunatah Temple and Adi Subrahmanya are amongst those famous sanctums in the region are worth visiting.
*Do take the free meals at Annadanna which provided by the temple authorities.
*Spend time by the Kumaradhara river.
*Make a visit to Biladwara
*Do go for the shopping of icons of silver hooded nagas
*There is a bazaar in front of the temple from where the travellers can shop for some antiques.
Weather: The Summer in Kukke from March to May are very hot with the temperature ranging from 35 degree Celsius and 40 degree Celsius. During the monsoon season that is from the month of Month of June to September, this region receives moderate rainfall. The weather during this season is hot and humid. The best time to visit the Kukke Subhrahmanya temple is in the months of January and February. December to March are the best months of the winter season when the travelers can plan to make a tour to Kukke Subramanya. The temperature during this season ranges from 25 degrees Celsius(maximum) to 15 degrees Celsius(minimum).
State: Karnataka, South India
Important Temples: Subrahamanya temple, Balamuri Ganapati Temple, Mangala Devi Temple, Manjunatha temple
Location: Against the backdrop of Kumaraparvatta in the Western Ghats, near the sacred river Kumaradhara, scenic Subrahmanya is in the Sullia Taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district of Coastal Karnataka.
Distances: 110 Km SE of Mangalore, 290 Km SW of Bangalore
Route from Bangalore: NH4 ti Neelamangala, NH48 to Sakleshwar via Kunigal and Hassan; district road to Kukke Subrahamanya via Gundya Route from Mangalore NH 48 to Uppinangadi via BC Road, state highway to Kukke Subrahmanya via Kadaba.
Best time to visit: The travelers can make a visit to Subarahmanya by any time of the year. The travelers should better avoid to traveling to Kukkey Subarahmanya during the summer and monsoon seasons.
Shopping: Icons of silver hooded Nagas are favorite with shoppers. Apart from the usual Puja souvenirs, try honey(midli) whole mango pickles, amla oil and thailas(medicinal oils) for pain relief.
Stay options: The Akshara guest house, Ashlesha guest house, Hotel Sheshnaag Aashraya, and Mayura Residency offers homely and comfortable rooms.
Annadana(free food) is provided by the temple in an airy, clean dining hall near the entrance. No coupons are required . The food offered here is basic, with rice, dal and sweet, dish served on plantain leaves(lunch noon-2pm; 8-9.30 pm). For Brahmins lunch is served at 1:00PM in the Sankara Mutt inside the temple. Neo Mysore Cafe and Hotel Kumara Kripa are the two decent veg restaurants on Car street. Alcohol and non veg food is not served anywhere.
Subramanya Legend and Myth
Subrahmanya, the youngest son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is the presiding deity of Kukke Subrahmanya Temple. The temple precinct doesn’t have any specific Subrahmanya statuette rather a snake representation of the deity. Subrahmanya Kukke shrine is considered to be one of the seven sacred sanctums of the Tulu country. Boasting of several mythological happenings, one such incident of the Subramanya shrine is when Lord Krishna’s son was cured of Leprosy. Quiet interestingly, the idols of snake here is sheltered under a bamboo (Kukke in Kannada) roof after the worship.
The shrine came into being when the Janamejaya vouched to decimate snakes of the hills of what is known as the Western Ghats today, by performing a holy yagna (holy oblation). As a consequence of the Yagna the snakes of the regions were annihilated and the some of those lefts were picked up the Garuda, the King crow who is also the natural enemy of snakes. This, in turn, waged a fierce battle between Vasuki, the King snake, and Garuda, when Rishi Kashyapa advised Garuda to pray Lord Shiva and seek Lord Shiva’s divine protection. Lord Shiva decreed that Subrahmanya would kill the asura Taraka and then live in Kukke, by the banks of Kumaradhara River and will be worshipped along with Vasuki.
Kukke Subramanya Main Temple
Temple Timings: 7 am- 1 pm; 3:30- 8:30 pm
A day is more than enough to check out the shrine of Kukke Subrahmanyam and the nearby temples and excursions. The nearest city of Mangalore, almost 3-hr drive from Sullia Taluk, and used as base for to journey down the Subrahmanya Shrine.
Subrahmanya Temple is constructed in wood and tile with a sloping roof topped with a brass Kalasa. The pilgrim center of Subrahmanya welcomes the darshanarthis with immense natural beauty, and if not a spiritual sanctuary it must have been called as Spiritual Sanctuary. The greenery here soothes the body and mind. After the entrance is located the Dharamsamelan Mantapa, a huge banquet-hall-kind-of-a-room purposefully built for conducting spiritual discourses and cultural programs. And right beyond that is located a huge pavilion. The shrine houses a gigantic-six-headed Subrahmanya on a peacock and two revered coiled, five hooded serpents as Mahasesha and Vasuki, one below another.
Pooja and rituals at the temple
Aarti: The Mahamangal aarti is conducted at 7:30 pm and during noontime. Also, men are asked to remove their upper garments as part of their daily ritual.
Note: Mobiles and still videos are not allowed inside the temple.
Rathotsava Festival is held in the month of Feb every year and Nagapanchami is held in the month of August.
Every morning Nirmalayivisarjana Puja marks the beginning of the day in Kukke Subrahmanya which entails a pooja schedule of removal of last day’ s garlands removal. This is followed by Kolalu Sahasranama Archana. For those who come to pray for their progeny install snakes of stones to get their wish fulfilled.
Adi Subramanya Temple
Location: ½ km to the west of the 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 Subramanya houses ancient anthills worshipped as Vasuki; many devotees get a hand full of mrittika (soil) that is considered as sacred and officinal.
Sarp Dosh Pooja
Sarpa Samskara or Sarp Dosha Pooja is a remedial prayer offered by those afflicted by Sarp Dosha or Kaal Sarp Dosha during their lifetime. Kukke Subrahmanya, the shrine of Kartikeya, is believed to relieve those afflicted by this Kundali Dosha (a defect in the natal birth chart of any person) through a special pooja performed in the name of the person affected.
Sarp Dosh Pooja at Kukke Subrahmanya Temple
The Sarpa Samskara/ Sarpa Dosha pooja is one among many other Pooja Schedules performed at Kukke Temple. This is a special pooja and is conducted by a married male person who is under the effect of Sarpa Dosha or the concerned priest of the temple. Kaal Sarp Puja is similar in rituals that of Shrartham/shradh (death rites) conducted after the death of a person. The prayers and offerings for Sarp Dosh are specially conducted during the day hours, with no puja rituals done after it gets dark. Sarp Samskara seekers are required to stay for two or more days in order to perform the pooja rituals. However, food is provided for three or more people during the pooja.
Kukke Subrahmanya Temple Pooja Sevas Charges
Important Harike Sevas at Kukke Subramanya Temple are (Except on Ekadashi days)
Sarpa Samskara: Rs. 1300.00 to Rs. 1800
Naga Prathista: Rs. 250.00
Ashlesha Bali: Rs. 250.00
Maha Pooja: Rs. 300.00
Others: Angapradakshina Namakarana Sesha Seva
