SREE KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE, KANCHIPURAM
Sree Kamakshi amman temple is at a distance of one km from the bus stand. The importance of the temple is centred around the story of Ekambareswarar and the penance Goddess Parvathi undertook to unite with the Lord. When the marriage took place under the Mango tree, Mavadi - Goddess place was known as Kamakottam and thus when Adi Sankara established his Peetam - it was known as Kamakoti Peetam and the presiding deity of the Mutt also was the Kamakshi here. Ka means Goddess Saraswathi and Ma means Goddess Lakshmi and Akshi means the gracious eyes. Thus the Goddess Kamakshi in Kanchi signifies that she lives here with both Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi as her eyes. The place where the Goddess is known as Gayatri Mandapam. She is in three forms - Sree Kamakshi, Sree Bilahasam, Sree Chakram. She is in a sitting posture of Padmasana. She has Pasa, Angusa, Pushpabana and sugarcane in her four hands. She wears a crown and has the Surya and Chandra as Karnabaranas and presents as Raja Rajeswari. When Adi Sankara visited the place, he felt that the Goddess is in a ferocious mode and the sanctum was very hot and thus he sang the Soundarya Lahari in praise of her and also installed a Sree Chakram in front of her to cool her. The Goddess presents herself in Sootchumaroopa in the Chakra. The Sree Chakram is visible and poojas are performed to the chakram.
Kamakshi
In the moolasthana, to the right of the Ambal is the Tapas Kamakshi standing in one leg. As advised by Kathyayana Muni, Parvathi came from Kailaya and worshipped Kamakshi here. By her anugraha, she got the benefits of her Tapas by duly worhsipping Ekambaranathar under the Mango Tree. On the left of the Ambal, is the Aurupa Sannidhi of Lakshmi. Kalvar perumal sannidhi is on the right side of Ambal and faces Southeast. Vishnu checks whether Lakshmi regained her Soundarya by Sabavimochanam hiding himself. Soundarya Lakshmi sannidhi is next to him and faces South. Thus in the Gayatri Mantapam, are the deities - Varahi, Aurupalakshmi, Arthanareeswarar, Roopalakshmi, Kalvar Perumal. On the outer prakara, are Ayyappan, Saraswati, Annapoorani and Adi Sankara. On the West of this outer prakara are: Durvasa Maharishi, Uthsava Kamakshi, Thundeera Maharaja, Bangaru Kamakshi and Rajashyamala. In the third prakara are: Kala Bhairavar, Mahishasuramardhini and Booth Nigha Perumal and Panch Ganga Theertham of the temple.
Kamakshi
In the moolasthana, to the right of the Ambal is the Tapas Kamakshi standing in one leg. As advised by Kathyayana Muni, Parvathi came from Kailaya and worshipped Kamakshi here. By her anugraha, she got the benefits of her Tapas by duly worhsipping Ekambaranathar under the Mango Tree. On the left of the Ambal, is the Aurupa Sannidhi of Lakshmi. Kalvar perumal sannidhi is on the right side of Ambal and faces Southeast. Vishnu checks whether Lakshmi regained her Soundarya by Sabavimochanam hiding himself. Soundarya Lakshmi sannidhi is next to him and faces South. Thus in the Gayatri Mantapam, are the deities - Varahi, Aurupalakshmi, Arthanareeswarar, Roopalakshmi, Kalvar Perumal. On the outer prakara, are Ayyappan, Saraswati, Annapoorani and Adi Sankara. On the West of this outer prakara are: Durvasa Maharishi, Uthsava Kamakshi, Thundeera Maharaja, Bangaru Kamakshi and Rajashyamala. In the third prakara are: Kala Bhairavar, Mahishasuramardhini and Booth Nigha Perumal and Panch Ganga Theertham of the temple.
The temple was once visited by a Dumb devotee and his prayers were answered by the Goddess as he wanted to sing her in praise. Thus came "Mookapanchashati" in which he praises the Goddess and eulogises the beauty of her.
Once Vishnu cursed Mahalakshmi to take an Aurupam form and she came to Kanchipuram and prayed on the Lord. There is a belief that the Sree Kamakshi Kumkuum is to be offered to the Aurupam deity of Mahalakshmi in the sancturm sanctorum for fullfilling of the wishes of the devotees. Here there is a adhi varagha perumal too. A Santhanasthambam in the prakara is known as Nabisthan of Goddess. Hence, the temple being one of the 51 Shakti peetas, is also known as Nabisthana - Ottiyana Peetam.
Golden Chariot of the temple is taken out in procession on Fridays around 7.00 PM.
Sthala Viruksham: Shenbagam
The temple is administered by Sree Kanchi Mutt.
In the Kamakshi Amman temple, there is a separate shrine for Adi Sankara who installed the image of Devi Kamakshi with due scriptural sanction and authority. He attained samadhi in Kanchi itself.
In the Kamakshi temple a significant representation of Goddess Mother is as in deep penance, standing on one leg, the other being folded up to the hip and the right arm raised touching the crown of the head. This sculpture resembles closely the figure of Sankara absorbed in penance in the same posture. The identity of the Mother and Sankara is obviously sought to be conveyed by this sculpture. (Kamakoti.org on Kamakshi temple)
The temple is administered by Sree Kanchi Mutt.
In the Kamakshi Amman temple, there is a separate shrine for Adi Sankara who installed the image of Devi Kamakshi with due scriptural sanction and authority. He attained samadhi in Kanchi itself.
In the Kamakshi temple a significant representation of Goddess Mother is as in deep penance, standing on one leg, the other being folded up to the hip and the right arm raised touching the crown of the head. This sculpture resembles closely the figure of Sankara absorbed in penance in the same posture. The identity of the Mother and Sankara is obviously sought to be conveyed by this sculpture. (Kamakoti.org on Kamakshi temple)
Temple Timings:
05.30 AM to 12.30 PM
05.30 AM to 12.30 PM
04.00 PM to 08.15 PM
Fridays upto: 09.30 PM
Pournami : 10.30 PM
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