As the name suggests, the Kamakshi Amman Temple, one of the 51 Shakthi Peethas, is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, a heavenly expression of Goddess Parvati or the universal mother goddess. It is located in the Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu. The meaning of the word Kamakshi is “one with loving eyes”. The goddess Kamakshi is also worshiped as the supreme power.
A symbol of peace and prosperity.
The goddess Kamakshi is seen in the lotus position or Padmasana posture, indicative of harmony and opulence. It is within the Gayatri Mandapam where the deity of Goddess Kamakshi is placed. Sri Chakram, Sri Kamakshi and Sri Bilahasam are the three forms of Goddess Kamakshi in the temple.
Pacifying the Goddess
Regular human and animal sacrifices were offered to Goddess Shakthi, known as the Angry Goddess. To pacify Goddess Adi Shankaracharya he composed Soundarya Lahiri and then, right in front of the main deity of Goddess Kamakshi, he established the Shri Chakra (also known as Kamakotti Peeta). Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have attained enlightenment after the establishment of the Shri Chakra.
Temple details
The Kamakshi Amman Temple is spread over five acres of land and has four entry points. From the outside, you can see the spire of the temple covered in gold. At the main entrance of the temple you will find Mahishasura Mardini on the right side, Kalabhairava on the left side and a huge Dwajasthambham in the very center. The idol of Lord Vinayaka is presented before Kamakshi darshan. In the outer prakaram of the temple, the main deity of the goddess Kamakshi is surrounded by the deities of Saraswathi, Annapoorna, Ayyapa and Adi Shankaracharya. The temple’s hundred-pillar hall or the dwajaarohana mandapam is located in the outer prakaram of the temple. The Soundaryalakshmi and Ardhanareeswar shrines are also located within the Kamakshi Amman Temple. Panch Ganga is the main tank of the temple. Another deity that is worshiped in the temple is Arupa Lakshmi. Kumkum Archana is in fact dedicated to Arupa Lakshmi although it is offered to Goddess Kamakshi.
Festivals
The Sankara Jayanthi festival celebrated in the month of Chithrai is the most important festival of the Kamakshi Amman Temple. During the 10 days of the festival, Soundarya Lahari is sung. Navaratri, Aadi, Aippasi Pooram and Vasanta Utsavam are the other important festivals of the Kamakshi Amman Temple. In the Thai and Adi months Fridays are celebrated with great fervor.
Archaeological facts
Kanchipuram was a center of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Paleolithic settlements according to archaeological evidence. Kanchipuram is also popularly known as the City of a Thousand Temples, as many temples have been excavated in the area. The first temple mentioned in literary references is the Yathokthakari Temple or the Vaishnavite Tiruvekka. The glorious history of this region is associated with the Kanchipuram temples.
A look at the history
The Pallava kings built the Kamakshi Amman Temple in the 7th century AD to glorify the Hindu religion. During the 14th century the temple was renovated by the Cholas.
The ancient temple of Kamakshi Devi
The ancient Kamakshi Devi temple is located next to Kumarakottam, and is currently known as Adi Peeta Parameswari. The Shri Chakra in this temple was established by Adi Shankaracharya. Sundaramurthi Nayanar, the 12th century saint Saiva, in one of his books has mentioned the existence of Kamarakottam.
The modern Kamakshi Devi temple
The Kamakshi Devi Temple was previously known as Bhoga Peetam, based on Sekkilar Peruman’s references in Siruthondar Puranam. Nrusimhadvari of the famous Dathamanji family established the Shri Chakra in the present temple.
Biblical references
The goddess Kamakshi, according to the scriptures, is basically a reincarnation of the goddess Parvati. Goddess Kamakshi is believed to have meditated after building a Shivalingam out of sand and Lord Shiva appeared before her. Parvati proposed to her, to which Lord Shiva agreed. In Kanchipuram, the Kamakshi Amman temple is the only temple of the goddess Shakthi or the goddess Parvati.
Legend has it that, to protect them from the rampage of Bandasura, all the Devathas sought the help of Lord Shiva. To defeat the demon, Lord Shiva asked the Devathas to offer their prayers to Bala Tripurasundari Devi. The Devathas masked as parrots came to Kanchipuram and offered their prayers to Bala Tripurasundari Devi. The Goddess heard his call and killed Bandasura and took him from Kailasam to Kanchipuram. Bandasura was buried there according to the wish of the Goddess and the Mandapam Gayathri was built. The Goddess said that she would bless all the devotees with her vision, hence the name Kamakshi.
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