Kukke Subramanya

Kukke Subramanya, one among the seven holy places created by Parashurama is mythologically and historically famous for “Nagaradhane”. Kukke Subrahmanya is a temple located in the small, rural village of Subramanya in Sullia taluk of Dakshina 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 Subramanya Temple at Kukke is known as ‘Adhi Subramanya,’ the Ghati Temple as ‘Madhya Subramanya’ and Nagalamadike Temple as ‘Anthya Subramanya.’

Lord Subramanya is believed to have taken the form of a serpent to repent for the Brahma hatya dosha he got when he imprisoned Brahma. Subramanya is worshiped in this serpent form in Adhi, Madhya and Anthya Subramanya Swamy Temples.

Adhi Subramanya – Kukke
Madhya Subramanya – Ghati
Anthya Subramanya – Nagalamadaka

The epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found safety under place Subramanya when apprehended by Garuda. Kukke Subramanya, one among the seven holy places created by Parashurama is mythologically and historically famous for “Nagaradhane”. It is also called “Guptha Kshetra”. “Mruthika Prasada” given here is regarded as Sacred.

The divine serpent “Sarpa Raja” Vasuki whom Lord Shiva wore as an ornament around his neck, was threatened by Garuda ( mount/Vahana of Lord Vishnu). The snake king Vasuki took up residence in Subramanya.

Once, Kartikeya asked Brahma the significance of ‘Om’ and when he was denied a reply, he imprisoned Brahma. But soon Kartikeya repented for his arrogance by inflicting a curse on himself. Turning into a serpent, he sought a rock at Dandakaranya, in the tranquil south, for his penance. However, his absence in the north emboldened Garuda to hunt for snakes.

Garuda hunting for snakes to devour, came across Vasuki hiding in a large ‘Biladwara’ cave (close to the temple). Striking Vasuki with his mighty wings and tearing at him with his sharp claws and beak, Garuda tried to kill him. Owing to Vasuki’s strength however, Garuda became dazed by the poisonous vapors emitting from Vasuki’s mouth, as well as the luminous jewels on his hood. As they fought, the great Rishi Kasyapa Muni appeared and requested Garuda to desist from killing Vasuki who was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

With great humility, Garuda folded his palms and told the Rishi that he was starving and had not eaten in days. Kasyapa told him, “Go to the Ramanaka Islands (modern day Fiji) where snakes and uncivilized Kiratas (hunters) are available in plenty.” Immediately Garuda went to that place to satisfy his hunger.

Turning to Vasuki, Kasyapa Muni said, “O best of serpents, go to Kumara Kshetra in the Sahyadri Mountains and pray to Lord Shiva. You will never be bothered by Garuda again.” Bowing to the Rishi, Vasuki and his family went to Subrahmanya Kshetra.

Vasuki performed tapas (worship) for numerous years in the caves of Kukke Subramanya temple trying to avoid attacks from Garuda. Hence came the name of the mountains ‪’Shesha Parvatha’ ‬which resembles Vasuki, the serpent. Vasuki attained the blessings of Shiva who told him, “In the next Kalpa, my son Kartikeya will come and reside here. He will bless you and you will always remain by his side.” Lord Vishnu acceded to the request of Vasuki and also agreed to dwell at Ghati as Lakshmi Narasimha along with Subramanya. Having forged this bond, Subramanya and Lakshmi Narasimha embraced each other and merged into a single entity.

Sri Kshetra is on the river bank of Kumaradhara. Born to annihilate the demonic forces. Kumaraswamy after defeating evil forces, Killed Their chief Tarakasura and Soorapadma asuras in the battle, came to Kumaraparvatha with his from this sibling Ganapathi. He cleansed his Shakti weapon in the river present at the place while Indra – the king of all lords, requested Lord Subramanya to accept his daughter Devasena as his wife and their marriage too place at the very same venue. Lord Brahma installed the deity of Kartikeya in Subrahmanya Ksetra along with the deity of Vasuki through whom Kartikeya accepts the worship of his devotees.

Devendra Indra had decided to give away his daughter Devasena to him on “Margashira Shudda Shasti”. Accordingly the marriage took place on the banks of Kumaradhara Theertha. Bestowing his grace on Vasuki, who was doing Thapasya at that time. Kumaraswamy assured to dwell along with Devasena in him. Since then, it is behind that Lord Shanmukha (Skanda) in his spiritual presence is residing with Vasuki in Kukke Subramanya.

Architecturally older than five Thousand year old the temple has a provenance. Subramanya Kshethra Grantha inform, this place is also known as Kukke Pattana. Sri Adi Shankaracharya visited Subramanya during his philosophical conquest and his sojourn here in the 8th Century. Reference to his Kshetra could be inferred from “Bhaje Kukkelinga” which forms a part of “Subramanya Bhujanga Prayatha Sthotra” composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

According to Sthala Purana many Devarishis installed Shivalingas in this Kshetra. Reference to such Shivalingas should be understood as as Kukkelinga. Kukke was once an urban area under the rule of Ballalaraya and it is customary to pay tribute to the king prior to the commencement of the chariot festival. It was patronised by the Mysore kings too.

The teertha of Subramanya lies in South Karnataka and is the abode of Kartikeya, the son of Lord Siva. It’s glories are described in the Sahyadri Khanda of the Skanda Purana (chapters 113-118) wherein it is described how during the Satya-yuga Karttikeya was installed as the ‘Senapati’ (commander-in-chief) of the demigods / Upadevas on the banks of the River Dhara (or ‘Kumaradhara’ as it is commonly known).

In the Treta-yuga, Lord Parasurama came to this place and bathed in the River Dhara in order to absolve himself of the sins of destroying the ksatriya-race twenty one times over. In Dwapara-yuga, when Samba, the son of Sri Krishna was cursed with leprosy, he came to bathe in the Dhara in order to become free from the disease. By smearing the mud from the riverbank over his body and bathing in the river, he regained his original beauty. From that time on, the waters of the Dhara River have become famous for curing skin diseases. During this age the Pandavas also visited this holy place.

There is a special relation between Subramanya and Narasimha as most of the Subramanya temples in Karnataka are also dedicated to Narasimha Swamy. Reinforcing the belief that both these gods increased the power of a sacred place is Ghati, at a distance of 14 km from Doddaballapur, on the Bangalore-Guntakal route.

The eastern face of the main deity is in the form of a seven-hooded serpent and the western face is the image of Lakshmi Narasimha. A strategically placed long mirror helps to view the Narasimha on the rear side.

At the behest of a betel leaf trader, the royal family of Sandur built the Subramanya Temple. The shikara (central tower) is Dravidian in style, belonging to the later Vijayanagara era. The five storey Raja Gopura depicts episodes from Shiva Purana. Kumaratheertha, a pushkarani, is regarded as sacred and a dip in the holy water is believed to cure one of all ailments, both physical and mental.

This temple building faces eastern direction and the main entrance is present at the back of the Sanctum. Located in between the sanctum and the entrance of the temple is a silver plated garuda khamba, which is believed to protect devotees from the poisonous breath of Vasuki who resides inside the sanctum sanctorum. In front of the altar is a slivergaruda-stambha which is said to have been erected and consecrated with special mantras in order to shield the devotees from the poisonous vapors from Vasuki’s mouth within the garbha-griha (altar-room).

Present beyond this are two halls, the inner one leading to the sanctum. Located on the pedestal is a sculpture of Subramanya with Vasuki. A little below, one can find the idol of Sesha.

The biggest festival held here is on Campa-sasti during the month of Margasirsa (Nov/Dec) when the deity is taken out on the huge brahma-ratha.

On the south side of the temple there is a deity of Bhairava Kapalesvara (a fierce aspect of Lord Siva) which is said to have been installed by Karttikeya himself after killing Tarakasura.

On the same side as the shrine of Bhairava are the ancient deities of the mother-goddess Hosaligamma and Purusa-raya. They are considered to be the bodyguards of Subramanya.

On the north-east side of the temple compound are the deities of Uma-Maheswara which were installed by Sri Narada Muni.

Subramanya has earned an honorific title “Annadana Subbappa”. Thousands of devotees receive Annadana everyday here. The devotees find solace here after performing “Sarpasamskara”, Naga Prathiste”, “Ashlesha Bali” for sarpa dosha, which causes barrenness / infertility, skin disease, blindness, bhoomidosha etc. God Subramanya is the destroyer of the sorrows f innumerable Janmas receives the Sevas of devotees done with devotion and dedication and fulfills their wishes and hence in Kaliyugh hi is behind as “Prathyaksha God” Devaru.

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About Author:
Subhasini BA, is a Screenplay writer, Director, creative director, costume designer and producer, whose work has featured in some of the most prestigious film festivals in the country and internationally. She has collaborated on several film projects juggling different roles. 

In beginning of her career, she worked as Associate director and Costume Designer with the acclaimed director Girish Kasaravalli. She’s written and directed a documentary film on the famed Krishna Temple in Udupi, and also written plays, screenplays for films and short form content for some of the leading technology companies in India, including Microsoft, Akamai Technologies, LAM Research, and SAP. 

With Knowledge in Sanskrit, Subhasini is a seeker of the Eternal Truth / Santana Dharma, writes on dharma. She is passionate about History, Mythology, Philosophy and Spirituality. She believes Dharma is the manifestation of the natural strength of every living soul.
She lives in Cincinnati.

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