Introduction
Legend has it……that the mythical Vasuki and other snakes found refuge under Lord Subrahmanya in the caves or ‘kukkshi’ of Subrahmanya. Also, it is supposed to be the place where Lord Kumaraswamy rinsed clean his battle-axe after subduing the demon Taraka and subsequently married Indra’s daughter, Devasena.
The hallowed temple…With the twin streams of Kumaradhara and the Darpana Theertha flowing on either side, the temple is on holy ground. A silver-plated Garuda pillar stands between the inner sanctum and the portico. Inside, images of Lord Subrahmanya, Vasuki and Shesha stand tall within the sanctum. A cluster of lingams known as the kukke lingams is also worshipped here, along with many other gods. The name kukke might also have originated from the colloquial term for ‘basket’!
Ancient texts of Hindu astrology mention Sarpa dosha and Sarpa shapa
According to belief, A person can be afflicted by the Sarpa (serpent) Dosha (curse) for causing harm to Sarpa, either knowingly or un-knowingly through many ways) either in this birth or any of his / her previous births. Persons who are afflicted with this dosha are advised to perform remedial measures like Sarpa samskara or Ashlesha Bali. for their well being. Ahlesha , Vishakha, Bharani, Krittika and some other constellations are considered in auspicious as per the traditional school of thought.
Remedial measures 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 shraadh (death rites).Kukke Subramanya Temple
Kukke Subrahmanya is a temple located in the small, rural village of Subramanya in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India, about 105 km from Mangalore. This temple is one of the famous pilgrimage sites in India. Here the God Subrahmanya is worshipped for his divine power as a snake as the epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other snakes found safety under God Subrahmanya.
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Historical importance
Sri Subrahmanya kshetra has been brilliantly described in the ‘Thirthakshetra Mahimani purana’ chapter of the Sahyadrikhanda comprised in the Sanatkumara Samhita 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. 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.
Temple
Pilgrims going to the Temple have to cross the Kumaradhara River, taking a holy bath in it before they go on to the temple to have darshan. The devotees enter the courtyard from behind 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.
Sarpa Samsakara is done by people having Sarpa Dosha
Sarpa Samskara is one of the poojas performed at this temple by devotees to get rid of the sarpa dosha . 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.
This pooja is performed by people from all faiths. Due to the wide belief in the snake god.
Others: Anga pradakshina, Namakarana Sesha Seva
If you want to visit you may contact :
Kindly verify Seva charges and Temple timings with temple authorities. Kukke Shree Subrahmanya Temple Subrahmanya – ZIP / PIN code 574238, Landline Tel:Ph: + 0091- 08257 – 281224.
How to reach?
Kukke subramanya can be reached by road from Mangalore and Bangalore ..Nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport at distance of 115 km.The nearest railway station is Subramanya Road railway station on Mangaluru-Bengaluru railway route, which at 7 km from Kukke Subramanya.
Ganesha’s Grace,
Krishna Kumar A. V.
www.GaneshaSpeaks.com