Pilgrimage in the Western Ghats

When a Temple lies in the valley of the Western Ghats, and a background of green hill surrounds it, it attracts both devotees and tourists alike. An ideal place for pilgrims and trekkers alike, it is famous for seeking relief from the “Sarpa Dosha” . Kumara Parvatha, one of the peaks of the Westrn Ghats, offers one of the most toughest and thrilling treks in the region

Welcome to Kukke Subramanya !!!! Famously known as  Subramanya after the Lord of the temple, located on the bank of river Kumaradhara having its origin in Western Ghats

Legend says, that Lord Subramanya (Or Lord Muruga or Karthikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi) was filled with anger after the slaying of demon Soorapadhman and sought a place to relax to ease His tension. Hence, the Lord found a place of solitude in the Western Ghats, on the bank of the river Kumaradhara. After washing his weapons in the river, the Lord calmly settled down in the place, now popularly known as Subramanya.

The local villagers who worshipped the Lord , used baskets of flowers for their everyday worship, such baskets locally known as “Kukke”.. Hence the names merged to stand as Kukke Subramanya as its known today.

Legend further states that the King of Birds Garuda underwent a phase of curse and had went on a rampage killing all the snakes He could find.  All the snakes were terrified and went into hiding to save their lives. The King of Snakes Vasuki was spotted by Garuda on a fine morning and Garuda went chasing the King. Vasuki enters into a cave but the tail is held by Garuda. Helpless, Vasuki pleads to Sage Agasthya to save Him. Sage Agasthya uses his powers to stop Garuda and instructs Vasuki to the pray to Lord Subramanya, the protector. Vasuki does as instructed and Lord Subramanya cures Garuda of the curse and protects Vasuki. Vasuki in-turn promises the Lord that he will not harm any of his devotees and also that any devotee who prays to the Lord will be cured of all the Snake related “Doshas”

About the Town:

Kukke Subramanya is located in the Western Ghats on the banks of the river Kumaradhara. Devotees have a dip in the Kumaradhara river before visiting the temple.On the way, they visit the Vanadevi amma Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the region. As they proceed further, they reach the Vasuki Dwara or the Vasuki cave the place where Vasuki escaped from the wrath of the Garuda. The cave houses a small park around and getting into the cave is sometimes slippery Right behind the Subramanya Temple is the Aadhi Subramanya Temple which is suppossedly the olden place of the God. Kumaradhara River also houses a particular variety of fish found in abundance here

Apart from the above, the Town also forms a base fot trekkers to the KumaraParvatha, one of the highest and toughest trekking location in the Western Ghats, filled in abundance with the natural beauty attracting tourists, majorly youngsters.

Located about 15 kms drive from Kumara Parvatha is the Bisle Ghat, yet another spot preferred by nature lovers. the area is filled with scenic beauty and houses a view point from where tourists can enjoy the lush greenery of the Hills around them. On the way to the Bisle Ghat, we cross again the river Kumaradhara running down, unpolluted from the Ghats. The drive is possible only in 4 wheel drive jeeps and not much buses run to this place

 

Kukke subramanya is located in about 280 kms from Capital City of Bangalore of Karnataka and about 100 kms from the Coastal City of Mangalore at about 180MSL in the lap of the Western Ghats.

The Temple if open for devotees from 6:00AM till 12:30PM and again from 5PM to 8:30PM. Free meals for Lunch and Dinner and provided by the Temple Authorities to the devotees.

Accommodation is available in Temple accommodations as well as private lodges situated around the temple. Accommodation for the Temple Guest Houses can be booked though Bangalore One Offices located in Bangalore

Best Time to visit : Summers could be pretty Hot. Monsoon and Post Monsoon are best times to visit. for trekking enthusiasts, monsoon is best avoided as the trekking spots are abundant with leeches in this season

How to Reach:

By Road: From Bangalore, the route via Hassan is the most preferred and shorter route. Bangalore–>Nelamangla–>Kunigal->Channarayapatna–>Hassan–>Sakleshpur–>Subramanya is the route. The other route could be Bangalore–>Mysore–>Madikeri–>Sullya–>Kukke Subramanya. From Bangalore, the road comes via B.C.Road and Kabakkaputtur to Subramanya.

Regular KSRTC buses available from Bangalore, Mysore ,Dharmastala and Mangalore to Subramanya apart from certain overnight services available from Gokarna, Hubli, Dharwad via Udupi

By Train: 16524/18 Karwar-Kannur Link Express from Bangalore connects to Subramanya Road Station every night, which is located about 15 kms from the Temple. KSRTC buses are available from the Station to the Temple in sync with the train arrival timings.

Bangalore Dep: 20:30hrs; Mysore Dep: 23:30hrs; Subramanya arrival 5:45AM

Subramanya Dep: 23:00hrs; Mysore Arr: 5:15AM ; Bangalore Arr 8:20AM

Apart from this train no. 16515/16 Yeshvantapur Karwar Tri-weekly runs in the day time from Bangalore to Subramanya on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and in return direction on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays via Arasikere and Hassan