Kukke Subramanya Temple
Kukke Subramanya is a Hindu temple on the banks of Kumaradhara River in the village Subramanya in Kadaba taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. Kartikeya is worshipped as Subramanya, lord of all serpents in the temple. Epics say that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refuge under Subramanya when threatened by the Garuda.The Koojugodu Kattemane family served as the chief administrators of the Kukke Shree Subramanya Swamy temple, managing it and exercising its chief administrative authority for generations from The Ikkeri Nayakas period until Encroachment.
The priests in the temple are Shivalli Madhwa Brahmins. The poojas and other daily rituals in the temple are performed as per Madhvacharya's Tantra Sara Sangraha.
Legend
According to legend, Kukke Subramanya is one of the seven sacred sites established by Saint Parashurama. It is the location where the divine serpent Vasuki sought refuge in Kukke Subramanya to escape Garuda, the celestial bird and vehicle of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Lord Kumaraswamy and his brother Lord Ganesha defeated the demon rulers Tharaka and Shura Padmasura at Kumara Parvatha, near Kukke Subramanya. Following his victory, Lord Kumaraswamy married Devasena, the daughter of Indra, in a grand ceremony attended by major deities, who blessed the place with divine energy.Koojugodu Kattemane Family and their Authority
The Koojugodu Kattemane family was a prominent Gowda lineage of the Arebhashe Vokkaliga Gowda community that historically served as the Sankesha Adhikaris of the Kukke Subramanya Temple. They traced their ancestry to Thimma Nayaka of Ikkeri and maintained close ties with both the Haleri Maharajas of Kodagu and the Dakshinayana Sringeri Sharada Peetam. The family played a key role in temple management, religious service, and establishing associated shrines within the temple premises.The family served as the chief administrators of the temple, managing it and exercising its chief administrative authority for generations.
They belonged to the Nayar Bali gothra of the Arebhasé Vokkaliga Gowda community and traced their ancestry to Thimma Nayaka of Ikkeri, a member of the Ikkeri royal family. The Nayakas of Ikkeri were rulers who performed seva to Lord Subramanya.
The Ballala of Rathnapura, who ruled parts of Kukke Patana, Harihara, Balgodu, Anekki, and Kollamogru, came into conflict with Thimma Nayaka's lineage. After a confrontation that ended the Ballala's rule, authority over the Kukke Subramanya temple passed directly to the Koojugoodu Kattemane chieftains.
The Haleri Maharajas of Kodagu were blood relatives of the family. The Koojugodu Kattemane Family was of Lingayat origin, later got converted to Arebhase Vokkaliga Gowdas. The two lineages shared political, cultural, and religious ties, including agreements to exchange offerings between the Kukke Subramanya Temple in Dakshina Kannada and Shree Bhagandeshwara Temple, Bhagamandala in Kodagu.
The family maintained close spiritual ties with the Ubhaya Jagadgurus of the Dakshinayana Sringeri Sharada Peetam. Guided by the Jagadguru, they established the Shree Chandramouleshwara Temple and a Sringeri Mutt within the Kukke Subramanya temple premises. The Shiva Linga in the Chandramouleshwara temple was installed by the Koojugoodu Kattemane family. They continue to preserve the Nirupa and Kanchina Belé presented by the Jagadguru.
Notable members include:
- Shri Shanthappa Gowda
- Shri Kushalappa Gowda
- Shri Venkataramana Gowda
- Shri Subrahmanya Gowda