Popular Temple
Kukke Subramanya Temple
Subrahmanya, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka
One of India's foremost pilgrimage sites for remedying Sarpa Dosha and Kaal Sarpa Dosha
At a glance
- Location
- Subrahmanya, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka
- Presiding deity
- Lord Subrahmanya (Kartikeya, worshipped in serpent form)
- Temple type
- Popular Temple
- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Nearest railway station
- Subrahmanya Road railway station (~10-12 km)
- Nearest airport
- Mangalore International Airport (~105 km)
- Best time to visit
- October to February; the Shashti festival (Champa Shashti) is especially significant.
History
Kukke Subramanya Temple lies at the foothills of the Western Ghats, on the banks of the Kumaradhara river. Lord Subrahmanya (Kartikeya) is worshipped here as a serpent deity; tradition holds this is where he slew the demon Tarakasura and gave refuge to the serpent king Vasuki. The temple is especially renowned across South India for Sarpa Dosha remedial pujas.
Spiritual significance
Tradition calls for bathing in the Kumaradhara river before darshan, and devotees travel from across the country for the temple's serpent-related rituals.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
5:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
Subrahmanya Road station lies on the Konkan Railway line; from there, the temple is roughly a 30-40 minute taxi or bus ride away.
Continue your Shiva bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.