Discover the full process, prices and important dates for the Sarpa Samskara ritual at Kukke Subramanya Sarpa Samskara — from booking steps to dress code and dos & don’ts for devotees.
Contents
Brief Summary
- The Sarpa Samskara ritual at Kukke Subramanya removes “Sarpa Dosha” (snake-curse) impacts.
- Online booking is required via official portal: select date, fill details, make payment.
- Typical cost: ~ ₹4,200 per devotee (subject to change).
- The ritual spans 2 days with defined timings, dress code, and dietary rules.
- Some days are ineligible (Ekadashi, Dasami, Gokulashtami, Shivarathri, eclipse days, annual festival period).
- After the ritual: prasadam for 12 days, avoid non-vegetarian food, ensure traditional dress, etc.
Introduction
The ancient hill-temple of Kukke Subramanya in Karnataka is renowned for the Sarpa Samskara ritual — a sacred ceremony undertaken by devotees believing they or their ancestors may be under the impact of Sarpa Dosha. If you’re considering this ritual, it’s crucial to understand how to book online, what the cost is, the ideal dates, and the procedural and behavioural guidelines. This article gives you a detailed, step-by-step guide.
What is Sarpa Dosha & Why Sarpa Samskara?
In Hindu tradition, harming or killing snakes is considered to lead to Sarpa Dosha — a curse which may manifest through issues such as delayed marriage, infertility, chronic ailments, career setbacks, or family mis-fortunes. The Sarpa Samskara ritual is performed to symbolically appease the serpent deities and remove this dosha. At Kukke Subramanya, devotees consider this offering especially potent because the presiding deity (Lord Subramanya) is regarded as protector of snakes and is linked with snake-deity rituals.
About Kukke Subramanya Temple
Online Booking: How to Book
- Visit the official booking portal for the temple’s e-services.
- Select the ritual “Sarpa Samskara”. Ensure you are choosing the correct date and slot.
- Fill in your name, address, city, state, pincode, contact number, email, and choose an ID proof.
- Make the payment (see cost section below).
- On arrival at the temple counter, present the booking receipt and same ID proof submitted.
Important note: Once the booking is made, in most cases changes, cancellations or refunds are not allowed (or allowed only under specified conditions).
Cost / Fee Structure
According to multiple sources, the average cost for the Sarpa Samskara ritual at Kukke Subramanya works out to around ₹4,200 per devotee.
Some older sources mention lesser values (e.g., ₹3,301) but those may be outdated.
Hence: ₹ ~4,200 is a reasonable estimate for planning.
When Can the Ritual Be Performed? Dates & Timing
- The ritual spans two days.
- Day 1: Reporting time around morning; ritual starts ~ 8:30 AM.
- Day 2: Early morning start (e.g., ~6:00 AM) and ends with Nagaprathishta around noon.
- The ritual cannot be booked/performed on certain days:
- Dasami days
- Ekadashi days
- Gokulashtami
- Shivarathri
- Eclipse days (solar or lunar)
- The annual festival period of the temple (15 days)
- It’s often advised to avoid monsoon season due to safety/terrain issues, though official prohibition may vary.
Dress Code, Behaviour & Key Instructions
- Devotees must wear traditional dress:
- Men: Dhoti + upper cloth/shirt/kurta.
- Women: Saree, half-saree or salwar-kameez with dupatta.
- During the ritual, men may remove their upper shirt (as part of the ceremony) when specified.
- On completion of ritual, devotees receive a prasadam (coconut, dhoop sticks etc.) which they should take daily for 12 days and observe dietary restrictions: no onion/garlic, no non-vegetarian food.
- Footwear is not permitted in queue lines / temple premises; mark that in ticket conditions.
- All devotees in a ‘group booking’ must report together (per the ticket).
Step-by-Step Ritual Procedure
Day 1:
- Reach the temple/booking counter and present your receipt.
- Take a dip in the Kumaradhara river (near the temple) before starting.
- Men in dhoti procession to the Mantap/hall. Families are grouped. Snake-idol, homa-gundam and rituals are performed.
Day 2:
- Arrive early (~6 AM). The priest from day 1 continues rituals. A rangoli in the shape of a snake is drawn. Pradakshinas are performed around the snake-idol.
- At around 12 PM, Nagaprathishta takes place in the main temple. After this the devotees leave with the prasadam.
Key Takeaways / Pro Tips
-
Book early: slots fill fast (especially for weekends/auspicious dates).
- Ensure the date booked matches your travel/accommodation — the portal asks for date and you must arrive accordingly.Follow the dress code strictly — it is enforced.
- If you eat non-vegetarian or onions/garlic, ensure you commence the 12-day prasadam regime after the ritual.
- Avoid booking on restricted days (Ekadashi etc) — verify calendar before payment.
- For accessibility and convenience, arrive the day before (especially since the first session may start early).
- Keep a print/out of your booking receipt and original ID proof used for booking — needed at entry.
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I perform Sarpa Samskara alone? | Yes, an individual can perform the ritual; couples can also do together. |
| Is there any age limit or special eligibility? | No strict age limit mentioned, but all devotees must report together if booked as a group. |
| What about children? | Children under a certain age may be included; check current portal terms. |
| Can we cancel or shift the date if needed? | Generally bookings are final; rescheduling may or may not be allowed depending on rules. |
| After the ritual can we visit other temples or places? | It is advised to observe discipline after the ritual, especially during the 12-day prasadam period. Some sources say avoid certain temple visits immediately. |
If you’re looking to undergo the Sarpa Samskara ritual at Kukke Subramanya, careful planning is key: book early, ensure your dates and forms match, obey the dress and dietary rules, and respect the two-day structure. At ~₹4,200 and rigorous procedure, this is an important spiritual commitment — not just a visit. With the right preparation, you can complete the ceremony smoothly and respectfully.
Author: Vijaya Durga Pemmasani
References & Helpful Links
-
Official Temple e-services portal: itms.kar.nic.in/hrcehome itms.kar.nic.in
-
“Kukke Sarpa Samskara Online Booking 2025” article on Dharamsalanet.com dharamsalanet.com
-
Guide on Sarpa Samskara Pooja: Benefits, Procedure & Cost panditsnearme.com