How to Reach

How to Reach Kukke Subramanya Temple

Kukke Shri Subrahmanya Temple is located in the village of Subramanya in
Sullia Taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. The temple sits at
the foothills of the Western Ghats on the banks of the Kumaradhara River.
Despite its location in a relatively remote forested area, the temple is
well-connected by air, rail, and road from all major cities in Karnataka and
neighbouring states.

This page provides detailed travel information to help you plan the most
convenient and cost-effective route to the temple.

Distance from Major Cities

City	Distance (approx.)	Travel Time by Road	Best Route
Mangalore (Mangaluru)	106 km	2.5 – 3 hours	NH 75 via Uppinangady
Bangalore (Bengaluru)	271 km	5.5 – 7 hours	NH 75 via Hassan and Sakleshpur
Mysore (Mysuru)	210 km	5 – 6 hours	Via Madikeri (Coorg) and Sullia
Dharmasthala	55 km	1.5 – 2 hours	Via Uppinangady
Udupi	145 km	3.5 – 4 hours	Via NH 66 and Uppinangady
Kasaragod (Kerala)	120 km	3 – 3.5 hours	Via Sullia

By Air

Mangalore International Airport (IXE)

The nearest airport to Kukke Subramanya is
Mangalore International Airport (Bajpe), located
approximately 105-110 km from the temple. The airport is
well-connected with direct flights to and from major Indian cities.

Airlines and Connectivity

• IndiGo: Daily flights from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi,
  Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kochi
• Air India / Air India Express: Flights from Mumbai, Delhi,
  Bangalore, and Gulf destinations (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Muscat)
• SpiceJet: Flights from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and
  Hyderabad
• Akasa Air: Flights from Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi
• Alliance Air: Regional connectivity to smaller cities

Airport to Temple Transfer

Transport Mode	Estimated Cost	Travel Time	Availability
Pre-booked taxi (sedan)	Rs. 2,500 – 3,000	2.5 – 3 hours	Book via airport taxi counter, hotel, or apps (Ola/Uber may be limited)
Pre-booked taxi (SUV/Innova)	Rs. 3,000 – 3,500	2.5 – 3 hours	Recommended for families with luggage; more comfortable on ghat roads
KSRTC bus (airport to Mangalore + Mangalore to Subramanya)	Rs. 200 – 350 total	4 – 5 hours (with transfer)	Frequent buses; requires transfer at Mangalore KSRTC bus stand
Self-drive rental car	Rs. 1,500 – 2,500/day	2.5 – 3 hours	Available at airport; GPS recommended for ghat road navigation

Tip: If arriving at Mangalore Airport, pre-booking a taxi is
the most convenient option. Inform your driver you are going to “Kukke
Subramanya” (not just “Subramanya”) to avoid confusion with other locations of
similar name. The route passes through scenic ghat sections with winding roads
— those prone to motion sickness should take precautions.

By Train

Subrahmanya Road Railway Station (SBHR)

The nearest railway station is
Subrahmanya Road (station code: SBHR), located approximately
7 km from the temple. This station is on the Hassan-Mangalore
railway line (one of the most scenic railway routes in India, passing through
the Western Ghats with numerous tunnels and bridges).

From the station, you can reach the temple by auto-rickshaw (Rs. 100-150),
shared auto (Rs. 30-50 per person), or taxi (Rs. 200-300). Auto-rickshaws are
readily available outside the station.

Key Train Services

Train Name & Number	From	Departure	Arrival at SBHR	Frequency
Train 16515 Bangalore – Karwar Express	Bangalore (SBC)	11:00 PM	7:20 AM (+1)	Daily
Train 16575 Yeshvantpur – Mangalore Jn Express	Yeshvantpur (YPR)	10:30 PM	7:00 AM (+1)	Daily
Train 16511 Bangalore – Mangalore Express (via Hassan)	Bangalore (SBC)	7:50 PM	5:45 AM (+1)	Daily
Train 16516 Karwar – Bangalore Express	Mangalore Jn (MAJN)	7:30 AM	9:45 AM	Daily (return journey)
Train 16576 Mangalore Jn – Yeshvantpur Express	Mangalore Jn (MAJN)	6:15 PM	8:30 PM	Daily (return journey)

Note: Train timings are indicative and subject to change. Always verify
current schedules on the IRCTC website or the National Train Enquiry System
(NTES) before planning your journey. The Hassan-Mangalore section is a
single-track line through the ghats and may experience delays during heavy
monsoon.

Tips for Train Travel

• Book early: Trains on this route are popular with pilgrims
  and tourists. Book tickets 60-120 days in advance on the IRCTC website,
  especially for weekend and festival travel.
• Scenic journey: The Bangalore-Subramanya Road section
  passes through the stunning Shiradi Ghat with 58 tunnels and multiple
  bridges. Sit on the right side of the train for the best views.
• Overnight trains: The overnight trains from Bangalore are
  ideal — you depart at night and arrive early morning, saving a day and
  accommodation cost.
• Monsoon advisory: During heavy monsoon (July-August), this
  route may face disruptions due to landslides. Check railway alerts before
  travel.

By Road

Route from Bangalore (Bengaluru) — 271 km

Recommended route: Bangalore → Nelamangala →
Kunigal → Hassan → Sakleshpur → Gundya → Uppinangady
→ Subramanya

Detailed description: Exit Bangalore via the
Bangalore-Mangalore Highway (NH 75). The road is a well-maintained 4-lane
highway until Hassan (approximately 180 km). From Hassan, the highway enters
the Western Ghats via the Shiradi Ghat section. This stretch, while scenic,
features winding roads, steep gradients, and sharp hairpin bends. Drive
carefully, especially during monsoon when the road can be slippery. After
descending the ghats, you reach Gundya and then Uppinangady. At Uppinangady,
take the deviation towards Subramanya (approximately 55 km via a two-lane
state highway). The final stretch passes through forested areas and rubber
plantations before reaching the temple town.

Road condition: NH 75 is generally excellent. The ghat
section has ongoing improvement work. The Uppinangady-Subramanya road is a
well-maintained two-lane road.

Travel time: 5.5 – 7 hours depending on traffic, ghat section
speed, and stops.

Route from Mangalore (Mangaluru) — 106 km

Recommended route: Mangalore → Bantwal →
Uppinangady → Subramanya

Detailed description: Exit Mangalore city via NH 75 heading
east towards Bantwal. The road is a well-maintained 4-lane highway for the
first 30 km to Bantwal. Continue on NH 75 through Vittal to Uppinangady (about
65 km from Mangalore). At Uppinangady, take the left deviation towards
Subramanya. The remaining 40 km is a comfortable two-lane road passing through
the Kumaradhara River valley with lush green scenery.

Road condition: Excellent throughout. This is the most
comfortable road approach to the temple.

Travel time: 2.5 – 3 hours.

Route from Mysore (Mysuru) — 210 km

Recommended route: Mysore → Kushalnagar → Madikeri
(Coorg) → Sullia → Subramanya

Detailed description: Take the Mysore-Madikeri road (SH 88/NH
275) through Kushalnagar to Madikeri (approximately 120 km). From Madikeri,
continue to Sullia (about 60 km) via the Sampaje Ghat, a scenic but winding
mountain road. From Sullia, the temple is approximately 30 km via a
comfortable two-lane road. This route passes through the beautiful coffee and
spice plantations of Coorg.

Road condition: Good to excellent. The Sampaje Ghat section
has winding roads but is well-surfaced.

Travel time: 5 – 6 hours.

Alternative route via Hassan: Mysore → Hassan →
Sakleshpur → Gundya → Uppinangady → Subramanya (approximately
260 km, 6-7 hours). This is longer but uses the wider NH 75 highway.

Bus Services

KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation)

KSRTC operates regular bus services to Subramanya from multiple cities. The
KSRTC bus stand in Subramanya is located approximately 500 metres from the
temple.

• Mangalore to Subramanya: Multiple daily services (ordinary
  and semi-deluxe). First bus around 6:00 AM, last bus around 7:00 PM. Journey
  time: 3 – 3.5 hours. Fare: Rs. 120-200.
• Bangalore to Subramanya: Daily overnight buses (semi-deluxe
  and Rajahamsa/Airavata). Departure from Majestic Bus Stand around 9:00 PM –
  10:30 PM. Arrival in Subramanya around 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM. Fare: Rs. 500-900
  depending on bus type.
• Mysore to Subramanya: Limited direct services (usually 1-2
  per day). Many pilgrims take a Mysore-Sullia bus and then a local bus to
  Subramanya. Fare: Rs. 300-500.
• Dharmasthala to Subramanya: Frequent local services via
  Uppinangady. Journey time: 1.5-2 hours. Fare: Rs. 60-100.

KSRTC booking: Advance tickets can be booked on the KSRTC
official website or the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation app. For
overnight journeys, booking 3-7 days in advance is recommended.

Private Bus Operators

Several private bus operators run services to Subramanya, particularly from
Bangalore and Mangalore:

• VRL Travels: Overnight Volvo/Sleeper from Bangalore. Fare:
  Rs. 700-1,200.
• SRS Travels: Semi-sleeper and sleeper services from
  Bangalore. Fare: Rs. 600-1,000.
• Orange Travels: Sleeper buses from Bangalore. Fare: Rs.
  600-900.
• Local private buses: Frequent services between Mangalore,
  Sullia, and Subramanya throughout the day. Fare: Rs. 100-180.

Private bus tickets can be booked on platforms like RedBus, AbhiBus, and
MakeMyTrip. During festival periods (especially Champa Shashti and Nagara
Panchami), additional services are operated and prices may increase.

Temple GPS Location

GPS Coordinates: 12.6730 N, 75.6190 E

Google Maps search: Search for “Kukke Shri Subrahmanya
Temple” on Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation from your location. The
temple appears prominently in search results and is accurately marked.

Address: Kukke Shri Subrahmanya Temple, Subramanya, Sullia
Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka 574238, India.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to reach Kukke Subramanya from Bangalore?

The most popular and convenient option is the
overnight train from Bangalore (SBC) or Yeshvantpur (YPR)
to Subrahmanya Road station. You depart at night, sleep on the train, and
arrive early morning — saving both time and accommodation costs. If you
prefer road travel, KSRTC overnight buses are reliable and
comfortable. For families or groups, a
private car via NH 75 (5.5-7 hours) offers the most
flexibility but requires navigating the Shiradi Ghat section.

Is the road to Subramanya safe during monsoon?

The roads are generally motorable during monsoon (June-September), but extra
caution is needed. The Shiradi Ghat section of NH 75 (from Hassan/Sakleshpur
side) is prone to landslides during very heavy rain and may face temporary
closures. The Mangalore-Uppinangady-Subramanya route is more reliable during
monsoon. Check road conditions before starting your journey. Drive slowly on
wet ghat roads, especially during rain. The scenic beauty during monsoon is
spectacular, with waterfalls and lush greenery everywhere.

Are taxis/auto-rickshaws available at Subrahmanya Road railway station?

Yes, auto-rickshaws are readily available outside the station when trains
arrive. They charge Rs. 100-150 per trip to the temple (7 km). Shared autos
are also available at Rs. 30-50 per person. During peak hours and festival
periods, there may be a short wait. Pre-arranged taxi service through your
hotel or the temple trust is also an option for guaranteed availability.

Can I drive my own car to the temple? Is parking available?

Yes, you can drive to Subramanya. The temple town has a dedicated
parking area approximately 300-500 metres from the temple
entrance. Parking is available for two-wheelers, cars, and buses. A nominal
parking fee (Rs. 20-50 for cars) is charged. During major festivals, the
main parking lot fills up quickly; overflow parking areas are designated,
and you may need to walk further. Consider arriving early (before 8 AM)
during weekends and festivals to secure a convenient parking spot.

Is there a helicopter service to the temple?

As of , there is no regular helicopter service to Kukke Subramanya. The
temple is accessible only by road and rail. However, Mangalore Airport
serves as the nearest air connection, from which the temple is a 2.5-3 hour
drive.

How do I combine a visit to Kukke Subramanya with Dharmasthala?

Kukke Subramanya and Dharmasthala are only
55 km apart (1.5-2 hours by road via Uppinangady), making
them an ideal combination for a pilgrimage trip. A common itinerary is:
arrive at Subramanya on Day 1 (morning darshan and seva), travel to
Dharmasthala on Day 1 evening or Day 2 morning, visit the Manjunatha Temple
and Bahubali statue at Dharmasthala, and return home from Dharmasthala.
Direct buses and shared taxis operate between the two temple towns
throughout the day.