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Kumaradhara River

Kumaradhara River

About:

The Kumaradhara River is an Indian river, in the southwestern India state of Karnataka. One of the two major rivers of Sullia, it merges with the Netravati River at Uppinangadi before flowing to the Arabian Sea. The merging of the rivers is a major event for the local villagers, as they crowd the river banks to watch what they call the "Sangam," which is a Sanskrit word for confluence.

Pilgrims going to the Kukke Subrahmanya Temple in Subrahmanya have to cross the Kumaradhara River, taking a holy bath in it before they go on to the temple to have darshan, a glance from a holy person.

Kukke Subrahmanya Kshetra lies in the luxurious abundance of the beauty of the nature nature with rivers, forests and mountains in Sullia Taluk of Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) District. Kukke Subrahmanya Temple is regarded as one of the seven Mukti stala pilgrimage sites of Karnataka. (Kollur, Udupi, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna are other Mukti places).

Kukke Subrahmanya is about 105 Km from Mangalore, the head quarters of Dakshina Kannada District. Kukke Subrahmanya is situated on the banks of river Dhara, which originates in the Kumara Parvatha (mountain) and proceeds towards western sea. It is also called as 'Kumaradhara River'.

The Subrahmanya temple is situated in the heart of this village. Kukke Subrahmanya temple is dedicated to lord Subrahmanya, who had manifested with Vasuki (the king of serpents).

Location info:

Address:Kukke Subrahmanya is about 105 Km from Mangalore, the head quarters of Dakshina Kannada District.
District:Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) District
Nearest City:Sullia Taluk
Best time to visit:

Climate/Weather:

 

History:

Dhara River (also called as Kumaradhaara) It is believed that after killing the demon Tarakasura, Karthikeya washed the demon's blood from his spear in the River Dhara.

In the Treta-yuga, Lord Parasurama came to this place and bathed in the River Dhara in order to absolve himself of the sins of exterminating the kshatriya-race twenty one times over.

In Dvapara-yuga, when Samba was cursed with leprosy, he came to bathe in the Dhara in order to become free from the disease. By smearing the mud (mrithika) from the riverbank over his body and bathing in the river, he regained his original beauty.

It is believed that Kumaradhara is most efficient place of remedy for elimination the sufferers from even the most incurable diseases.

The Name Kukke:It has been learnt from legends that Subrahmanya used to be called Kukke Pura or Kukke Pattana in the past.
In more recent times Guru Adi Sankaracharya visited Subrahmanya and referred to this place as 'Bhaje Kukke Lingam' in his composition Subrahmanya Bhujangaprayata Stotram makes, the above evidence all the more convincing.
According to legend, many sages have installed the idols of Lord Shiva here. Even serpent Vasuki has installed a Shivalinga here. The word Kukke perhaps cannot the phallus of Lord Shiva installed in cave. It is held by some that in Sanskrit the word 'Kukshi' can also be used to mean a cave and the word 'Kukke' can be the corruption of the word 'Kukshi'.

But as per the villagers explanation the Kukke means basket. The worship of linga in basket (kukke) resulted in naming this place as Kukke.

Interesting things to do:

Mode of worship: The Poojas in the Sri Subrahmanya Temple are conducted according to 'Vaikanasa Agama'. The temple is opens at 5 a.m. and the God is woken up to the accompaniment of Nadaswaram. Abishekam is then done to the Lord, followed by Go pooja (worship of the cow). The poojas continue till midday and after naivedya is offered to the Lord, food is served to the surging crowd of devotees.

Interesting things to Visit:

Shrines/places to visit at Subrahmanya temple:
1. Sri Subrahmanya Temple
2. Kukke Linga
3. Vedavyasa Samputa Narasimha Devaru
4. Sri Bhairava Devaru
5. Sri Uma Maheshwara Devaru
6. Ballalaraya Vigraha
7. Sringeri Mutt
8. Hosaligammana Gudi
9. Darpana Theertha
10. Adi Subrahmanya (great Anthill 'Valmika' in the sanctuary)
11. Uttaradi Mutt
12. Rudrapada
13. Kumaradhaara River
14. Biladwara
15. Kashikatte Ganapathi Temple
16. Matsya Theertha
17. Kumara Parvatha (also a great destination for trekkers)

Mobile range info:

 

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Mangalore / Hassan
Nearest Airport:Mangalore
Road Transport:1. From Bangalore: via Nelamangala, Kunigal, Hassan, Sakaleshpura, Gundya 2. From Mangalore: via Puttur
The Karnataka state Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses ply to Kukke Subramanya from various major cities and towns like Mangalore, Bangalore, Mysore, Dharmasthala & Hassan.

Nearest Visiting places:

 

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Hassan

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Facilities to devotees at Subrahmanya:
Accommodation: Temple guest houses are available.
Food: Free Lunch and Dinner is offered to devotees and visitors.
Cloak room facility and banking facility are also available.

Things to carry:

 

Tips & Suggestions:

Distances from Kukke Subrahmanya:
1. Mangalore: around 105 km
2. Bangalore: around 350 km
3. Hassan: around 110 Km
4. Dharmasthala: around 70 km
5. Udupi: around 165 km

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:Hassan
Nearest Hospital:Hassan
Society/Community Phone Number
Postal Address:Kukke Shri Subrahmanya Temple
Subrahmanya - 574 238
Sullia Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District
Karnataka - INDIA

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