点评:A Journey to Kukke Subramanya Temple: Tips for First-Time Visitors
Last year, to fulfil my wife's ardent wish, we made a trip to the Kukke Subramanya Swamy Temple in Kukke, Karnataka, about 90 km from Mangalore. It was an immensely pleasant trip with scenic views and a pious visit. However, there is a lack of important information that can leave first-time visitors confused and potentially missing out on important events. This is my modest effort to shed some light on the dos and don’ts to help future visitors to this wonderful place.
Kukke Subramanya Temple is an ancient temple nestled in the mountains of the Western Ghats, in a very scenic and beautiful location. It is dedicated to Lord Subramanya and is believed to provide relief to devotees facing hardships and extreme difficulties.
The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport, about 95 km away. However, Kukke has a railway station serviced by regular trains from Mangalore. For those who want to enjoy the ride, there is a vista dome train in the morning from Mangalore. There is also good public transportation to reach Kukke.
There are a good number of hotels for stay at Kukke along with temple accommodations. However, temple accommodation is not very desirable and is best avoided if one can afford a private stay.
Temple Rituals and Pujas
There are various pujas offered here, all listed on the temple website. However, the Sarpa Samskara Puja and Ashlesha Bali are the most sought-after pujas, with Tuesday being considered the most auspicious day.
Important Tips for Sarpa Samskara Puja
The Sarpa Samskara Puja is a two-day affair with a limited number of slots available daily. These slots fill up quickly, and there is no alternative if the slots or tickets are sold out. This puja costs around INR 4200 per couple, including two minor children. Temple accommodation is free for those who book this puja. Ashlesha Bali Puja costs INR 400 for a couple and two minor children. Both puja tickets are available online at the temple website https://itms.kar.nic.in/hrcehome/index_temple.php?tid=21.
Key Points to Note
The Sarpa Samskara Puja is a one-and-a-half-day affair starting early in the morning at 7:30 AM on day 1. Therefore, it is advisable to reach Kukke the night before to avoid a tiring and hectic experience. Tickets must be booked in advance, and an identity proof is required while booking. Although temple accommodation is available at a nominal price, I recommend opting for private stays if possible.
You must have a hard copy of the ticket with you. Upon reaching Kukke, visit the temple office outside the entrance, present the ticket, and get a serial token. This token is essential for the next day's puja as it determines your seating number.
The puja starts at 7:30 AM at a different venue than the main temple, which is well-known to everyone. Autos are available to take devotees to the venue, charging between INR 20 to INR 40. Upon reaching the venue, each ticket holder needs to get a sankalpam done with a senior priest and will then be assigned an individual priest who will guide them to their seating location. Note that seating is on the floor, so those with physical difficulties may want to bring a foldable seat. The priests predominantly speak Kannada, but they try their best to explain the ritual. Please note, you cannot visit main temple till you conclude the day and half puja ritual of Sarpa Samsakara.
On day 1, the puja concludes around 11 AM. Lunch, dinner, and the following day's breakfast are provided by the temple. You can return to your place of stay and come back for lunch at 12 PM, exclusive for Sarpa Samskara puja holders. After lunch, you can rest and return in the evening at around 6:30 PM for dinner, concluding the ritual for day one.
The next day starts early at 5:30 AM. You must adhere to the time to avoid missing the ritual. You will take the same seat as allocated, and the puja concludes by 7:30 AM, followed by breakfast. The cafeteria for meals is conveniently located next to the puja venue. After breakfast, devotees can take a dip in the river Kumara Dhara and visit different temples around the venue. Until all this is done, you should avoid visiting the main temple.
At around 11 AM on day 2, all devotees assemble in the main temple for the closure of Sarpa Samsakara puja which starts at 11:30 AM and concludes at 12 PM. Prasadam distribution happens right after this puja, and you must present the hard copy of your ticket to collect the Prasadam.
After completing all rituals, devotees are free to explore and indulge in sightseeing activities. However, it is strongly advised that those who participate in the Sarpa Samsakara Puja refrain from visiting any other temple en route to their homes.
Kukke is nestled in a picturesque spot, and there is a trek route that one can enjoy if desired. This place is surrounded by mountains full of forest cover and makes the soul feel refreshed. I travelled during monsoon and it felt that I can touch the clouds. It was immensely enjoyable. Even if one is wholly religious, one can just travel as a sight seeing locale.
I conclude now and I hope this article helps visitors and devotees who wish to visit as sightseeing or as a pilgrimage to this holy place.
翻译:库克苏布拉马尼亚神庙之旅:给初次来访者的提示
去年,为了满足我妻子的迫切愿望,我们去了卡纳塔克邦库克的库克苏布拉马尼亚斯瓦米神庙,距离芒格洛尔约 90 公里。这是一次非常愉快的旅行,风景优美,虔诚的访问。然而,缺少重要信息,可能会让初次来访的游客感到困惑,并可能错过重要的活动。这是我的微薄之力,旨在阐明一些应该做的和不应该做的事情,以帮助未来的游客来到这个美妙的地方。
库克苏布拉马尼亚神庙是一座古老的寺庙,坐落在西高止山脉的群山之中,风景优美。它供奉着苏布拉马尼亚神,据说可以为面临艰辛和极端困难的信徒提供救济。
最近的机场是芒格洛尔国际机场,距离约 95 公里。不过,库克有一个火车站,有从芒格洛尔开往的定期火车。对于那些想要享受旅程的人来说,早上有从芒格洛尔出发的观景圆顶火车。还有良好的公共交通前往库克。
库克有许多酒店和寺庙住宿。但是,寺庙住宿并不是很理想,如果负担得起私人住宿,最好避免。
寺庙仪式和法会
这里提供各种法会,均列在寺庙网站上。然而,Sarpa Samskara Puja 和 Ashlesha Bali 是最受欢迎的法会,周二被认为是最吉利的日子。
Sarpa Samskara Puja 的重要提示
Sarpa Samskara Puja 是一个为期两天的活动,每天的名额有限。这些名额很快就会填满,如果名额或门票售罄,就没有其他选择了。这个法会的费用约为每对夫妇 4200 印度卢比,包括两名未成年儿童。预订此法会的人可以免费获得寺庙住宿。一对夫妇和两名未成年儿童参加 Ashlesha Bali Puja 的费用为 400 印度卢比。两种 Puja 门票均可在寺庙网站 https://itms.kar.nic.in/hrcehome/index_temple.php?tid=21 在线购买。
注意事项
Sarpa Samskara Puja 为期一天半,从第一天早上 7:30 开始。因此,建议前一天晚上到达 Kukke,以避免疲惫和忙碌的经历。门票必须提前预订,预订时需要提供身份证明。虽然寺庙住宿价格低廉,但我建议尽可能选择私人住宿。
您必须随身携带门票的纸质副本。到达 Kukke 后,前往入口外的寺庙办公室,出示门票并获取序列号令牌。此令牌对于第二天的 Puja 至关重要,因为它决定了您的座位号。
法会于上午 7:30 在主庙以外的其他地点开始,主庙众所周知。有汽车将信徒送至会场,费用为 20 至 40 印度卢比。到达会场后,每位持票人需要与一位资深牧师完成 sankalpam,然后会指派一位牧师引导他们到座位位置。请注意,座位是放在地板上的,因此身体有障碍的人可能需要携带可折叠的座椅。牧师主要讲卡纳达语,但他们会尽力解释仪式。请注意,您不能参观主庙,直到您完成 Sarpa Samskara 的一天和半个法会仪式。
第一天,法会大约在上午 11 点结束。寺庙提供午餐、晚餐和第二天的早餐。您可以返回住宿地点,并在中午 12 点回来享用午餐,仅限 Sarpa Samskara 法会持有者。午餐后,您可以休息,晚上 6:30 左右返回吃晚餐,结束第一天的仪式。
第二天早上 5:30 开始。您必须遵守时间,以免错过仪式。您将坐在分配的座位上,法会将于 7:30 结束,然后享用早餐。餐厅位于法会场地旁边,位置便利。早餐后,信徒可以在 Kumara Dhara 河中畅游,并参观场地周围的不同寺庙。在完成所有这些之前,您应该避免参观主寺庙。
第二天上午 11 点左右,所有信徒聚集在主寺庙,结束 Sarpa Samsakara 法会,法会于上午 11:30 开始,中午 12 点结束。Prasadam 分发在法会之后立即进行,您必须出示门票的纸质副本才能领取 Prasadam。
完成所有仪式后,信徒可以自由探索和享受观光活动。但是,强烈建议参加 Sarpa Samsakara Puja 的人在回家的路上不要参观任何其他寺庙。
Kukke 坐落在风景如画的地方,如果您愿意,可以享受一条徒步路线。这个地方被群山环绕,森林茂密,让人的心灵焕然一新。我在雨季旅行,感觉可以触摸到云朵。非常愉快。即使一个人完全信教,也可以把旅行当作观光地。
我现在总结一下,希望这篇文章能帮助那些希望参观这个圣地的游客和信徒。