Kukke Subramanya (IAST: Kukke Subrahmaṇya) is a 5000 year old Hindu temple on the banks of Kumaradhara River in the village Subramanya in Kadaba taluk (previously in Sullia taluk) in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India.[1]Kartikeya is worshipped as Subramanya, lord of all serpents in the temple. Epics say that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refuge under Subramanya when threatened by the Garuda. The priests in the temple are Shivalli Madhwa Brahmins. The poojas and other daily rituals in the temple are performed as per Madhvacharya's Tantra Sara Sangraha.[2]
Kukke Subrahmanya TempleRiver in front of the temple
Historical legend
According to legend, Kukke Subramanya is one of the seven sacred sites established by Saint Parashurama. It is the location where the divine serpent Vasuki sought refuge in Kukke Subramanya to escape Garuda, the celestial bird and vehicle of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Lord Kumaraswamy and his brother Lord Ganesha defeated the demon rulers Tharaka and Shura Padmasura at Kumara Parvatha, near Kukke Subramanya. Following his victory, Lord Kumaraswamy married Devasena, the daughter of Indra, in a grand ceremony attended by major deities, who blessed the place with divine energy.[1]
Popular rituals
The Ashlesha Bali Puja, a ritual seeking protection from black snakes, and the Sarpa Dosha Parihara, performed to remove curses associated with the snake god, are two of the most popular puja rituals conducted at the Kukke Subramanya Temple.[1]
Hinduism portal
