Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple: A Holy Temple on The Banks of Kumaradhara River, Karnataka

 Kukke Sri Subrahmanya temple. Pic by author.

Kukke Sri Subahmanya temple is one of the famous temples of South India, attracting devotees from far and wide. The temple is situated on the banks of Kumaradhara river, which originates in the peak of Kumara parvata (parvatameaning mountain in Kannada) adjoining the temple. Pilgrims have a dip in Kumaradhara river before entering the temple.

Kumara parvata nestles in the Sahyadri range of mountains, also referred to as Western Ghats. As you approach the temple by road, you can get a glimpse of this majestic mountain in the backdrop of the temple.

Kumara parvata: trekkers’favourite. Image courtesy: Krishnananda Ambekallu.

Subrahmanya is the abode of the presiding deity Sri Subrahmanya, also called Shanmukha (six-faced God), Karthikeya, Guha, Murugan, and Kumaraswamy, who dwells at the foot of Kumara parvata. He is the son of Lord Shiva and commander of the Divine army. His vehicle is a peacock.

Subrahmanya was earlier known as “Kukke Pattana”, as people used to worship the images of lingas kept in a kukke (meaning basket in Kannada). These lingaswere believed to have been installed by Kumaraswamy in three places to get rid of the sin committed by Him in killing Tarakasura, the demon king.

The temple has a hoary past as mentioned in the scripture, Skanda Purana. One of the legends mentions that Sri Subrahmanya came to this place with His brother Ganesha (Lord Mahaganapathi), after defeating the demon king Tarakasura and his army, and was received here by King Indra who, later, requested Him to marry his daughter, Devasena, to which He agreed, and settled here. Adi Shankara (founder of Advaita school of philosophy) is said to have set his foot on this place during his digvijaya (religious expedition).

The second legend relates to the tapas(long meditation) performed by the king of serpents, Vasuki, who prayed to Lord Shiva for protection from Garuda, as he feared of his attack on him. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva sent Sri Subrahmanya to protect him, who settled at this place. Hence, the worship offered to Sri Vasuki here is, in fact, considered as worship to Lord Subrahmanya Himself.