Description
Kukke Subramanyais a Hindu temple located in the village of Subramanya, Karnataka. Here, Kartikeya is worshipped as Subramanya, lord of all serpents. The epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refuge under Subramanya when threatened by the Garuda.
History
According to one Mythological story, after killing the demon rulers, Tharaka, Shurapadmasura and their followers in a war, Lord Shanmukha 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.
Festivals/Events/Gatherings
Ashlesha Bali: Ashlesha Bali Puja or Ashlesha Bali pooja is one of the important Kaalasarpa dosha pujas performed at Kukke Subramanya temple. Lord Subramanya is known as the protector from Kaalasarpa dosha and Kuja dosha. Kukke Sri Kshetra temple is the most popular for Sarpadosha puja. Aslesha Bali puja is performed on Aslesha nakshatra in each month. Sarpa Samskara/ Sarpa Dosha: Sarpa Samskara/ Sarpa Dosha is one of the poojas performed by devotees at this temple to get rid of the sarpa dosha. Persons who are afflicted with this dosha are advised by astrologers/ horoscope writers to perform this pooja for their own wellbeing. Pooja can be done either by the afflicted person himself if he is male and married, or through a priest. This is because the pooja involves rituals similar to those done while performing shrartham (funeral rites). Sarpa Samskara seva devotees are required to be present for two days. The seva is performed during the daytime, with no particular poojas in the evening. Food arrangements will be made for these devotees by the temple devasthanam, for up to four persons per seva.