About Kukke Subrahmanya

Kukke Subrahmanya is situated in a picturesque surrounding at the feet of Western Ghats in the Sullia Taluk of Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka State. The Subrahmanya Temple is one of the famous and richest temples of South India. This place is directly connected by road from Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Udupi, Dharmasthala and other places. It is surrounded by Kodagu district in the east, Puttur Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district in the west, Sakleshpur of Hassan district in the north, and Sullia, the Taluk

headquarter in south. Direct buses are moving between Subrahmanya and these places.

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 'Thirtha kshetra Mahimani purana' chapter of the Sahyadri khanda comprised in the SanatkumaraSamhita 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 Kukke Subrahmanya

Kukke Subrahmanya is on the bank of river Dhara. According to Hindu Mythology Lord Kumaraswamy came to this place after killing the demon rulers Taraka, Shoorapadmasura and others in a war; and the Lord washed his Shakthi Ayudha (a battle-ax of the type of a  bayonet) in this river. From this onwards the river is famous as Kumaradhara.

After battle with the demon, Lord Kumaraswamy came to the top of Kumaraparvatha along with his brothers Lord Ganesha, Veerabahu and other aids. He was received by Lord Indra along with other Gods; pleased by the success of the war Indra prayed the Lord to be Kind enough to marry his daughter Devasena. This was agreed upon courteously and the marriage took place on the banks of Kumaradhara on ‘Margashira Shuddha Shashti’  (The shashti is on the first half of Margashira Masa.) Lord kumaraswamy also gave a darshan to Vasuki, the head of the Nagas, who was making a penance here. Vasuki prayed the Lord to stay along with him permanently in the place and the Lord blessed Vasuki with the boon.

From that time it a believed that the Lord has made his spiritual presence in this shrine along with his wife Devasena and Vasuki. Every year a famous car festival (Champa Shashti) is being held here on ‘Margashira Shuddha Shashti’ with special poojas to the Lord.

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

Contact Address:
Kukke Shree Subrahmanya Temple 
Subarahamanya ,
Sullia Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District
Pin -574 238
Phone: 91-8257-281224
http://www.kukke.org/Webpages/English/Home.aspx

How to Reach Kukke Subrahmanya Temple:
By Air : Mangalore (Bajpe) Airport about 120Kms. Bangalore International Airport about 300 Kms.
By Rail : The nearest railway station is Subrahmanya Road (SBHR) railway station on Mangalore-Bangalore railway route, which is 12 km from Kukke Subrahmanya. 
By Road : Kukke Subrahmanya can be reached by road from Mangalore and Bangalore .KSRTC operates buses on a daily basis from these two places

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