Kamakshi Amman Temple – Kancheepuram
Kancheepuram Kamakshi Amman Temple
Kamakshi Amman temple is located in the traditional city of Kancheepuram. The temple dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kamakshi, a form of Goddess Parvati is an important religious worship center in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peetam in the country.
Temple Legend
Kamakshi Amman is worshipped in the temple as Parabrahma Swaroopini. The Goddess is said to have become Shantha Roopani (she was initially depicted as furious in the form of Ugra Swaroopini) after the great philosopher Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya personified the Goddess and installed Sri Chakra in the place in front of the Goddess deity.
According to the temple history, Goddess Kamakshi meditated on a Lingam made of sand for gaining Lord Shiva’s hand in marriage. Lord Shiva pleased with her devotion married Goddess Kamakshi.
Temple Architecture
The main deity inside the sanctum sanctorum is that of Kamakshi Amman in seated posture bounded by the trinity Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The temple occupies an area of 5 acres and has four entrances. The temple also house smaller shrines of Bangaru kamakshi, Adi Shankara and Maha Saraswathi.
The main entrance to the the temple is marked by the shrines of Mahishasura Mardhini (Goddess Durga) on the right and Kala Bhairavar (fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva) on the left. At the centre of the entrance is the huge Dwajasthamba and moving further, one can see the shrine of Lord Vinayagar.
Goddess Kamakshi Amman is surrounded by shrines of Ayyappan, Saraswathi, Annapoorani and Adi Shankaracharya on its outer prakaram. The sanctum of the Goddess is surrounded on the Gayathri Mandapam by the shrines of Varahi, Arupalakshmi Kalvarperumal, Roopalakshmi and Arthanariswarar.
The temple tank is found inside the temple. The temple premises have a gallery of Adi Shankaracharya’s life history.
Goddess Kamakshi Amman
The Goddess is in a sitting posture or the Padmanasana in the temple. The Goddess holds a lotus and parrot in her upper right arm and a sugarcane bow in her upper left arm. The Goddess also holds the divine chakras called Pesa and Angusa in her arms and a moon shaped structure in her forehead.
Temple Timings in Kamakshi Amman temple
The temple is open in the morning from 5:30 AM to 12:15 PM and in the evening from 4:00 PM to 8:15 PM. The temple is open until 9:30 PM at night on Fridays and until 10:30 PM on Pournami (full moon) day.
Pooja Details of Kamakshi Amman temple
The temple follows the below mentioned pooja timings, the timings however is subject to changes on festive days.
| Pooja Details | Pooja Details |
|---|---|
| Abhishekam (3 times in a day) | 5:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 4:00 PM |
| Sahasranama Archana (everyday) | 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| Ashtotthara Archana (everyday) | 7:00 AM to 12 Noon and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| Chandana Alankara (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) | 4:30 PM |
| Navavarana Pooja (on Pournami/Full Moon days every month) | After 9:30 PM |
| Swarna Ratha (on Fridays, Full Moon Days, New Moon Days, and 1st Day of Tamil months) | 7:30 PM |
Temple Festivals in Kamakshi Amman temple
The annual festival is held during the Tamil month of Masi (February-Mid), suring which the Ther (chariot) festival and Theppam (float) festival is celebrated. Other festivals observed in the temple include Aadi and Aippasi Pooram, Navarathri, Sankara Jayanthi and Vasantha Utsavam.
How to reach Kamakshi Amman temple
Kancheepuram city is well connected of the state through national highways and roads. The main bus stand is located at a distance of less than one kilometer from the temple. Kancheepuram Railway Station (3 kilometres away), Arakonnam Railway Station (29 kilometres away) and Chennai Railway Station (around 75 kilometres away) are the nearest rail heads. Chennai International Airport (68 kilometres away) is the nearest airport to the temple.
Epilogue
The spirituality of this historical temple is an experience in itself and its scenic beauty should be witnessed especially during early mornings and at night. The temple with its sculptures and bright lights at night make it an excellent site for photography.