CleanupBot at 06:25, 24 November 2023

2023-11-24T06:25:52Z

New page

{{refimprove|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox Mandir
| name = Kamakshi Temple
| image = Kanchipuram.in Kamakshi-Amman Temple - panoramio - SINHA (cropped).jpg
| alt = The temple tower at Kanchi Kamakshi temple
| caption = The Kamakshi Amman temple has gopurams with gold overlays.
| pushpin_map = 
| map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu
| coordinates = {{coord|12.840684|79.703238|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Kanchipuram district]]
| location = [[Kanchipuram|Kanchipuram Town]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Kamakshi]] ([[Parvati]])
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| creator = Pallava kings
}}
{{Sapta Puri}}
The '''Kamakshi Temple''' is an ancient [[Hindu]] Temple dedicated to [[Kamakshi]], the ultimate form of Goddess Lalitha Maha Tripurasundari. It is located in the historic city of [[Kanchipuram]], near [[Chennai]], [[India]]. The [[Madurai|Meenakshi Temple]] in Madurai, the [[Thiruvanaikaval|Akilandeswari]] temple in Thiruvanaikaval near Tiruchirappalli and this Kamakshi temple are the important centers of worship of Goddess, in the state of Tamil Nadu. The Temple was most probably built by the [[Pallava]] kings, whose capital was Kanchipuram.

The Image of the main Deity, Kamakshi, is seated in a majestic [[Lotus position|Padmasana]], a [[yogic]] posture signifying peace and prosperity, instead of the traditional standing pose. Goddess holds a sugarcane bow and bunch of five flowers in the lower two of her arms and has a pasha (lasso), an ankusha (goad) in her upper two arms. There is also a parrot perched near the flower bunch. There are no other Goddess temples in the city of Kanchipuram, apart from this temple, which is unusual in a traditional city that has hundreds of traditional temples. There are various legends that account for this fact.

According to a local legend, [[Adi Shankaracharya]] established the Sri Chakra in this Kamakshi Devi temple in the trough-like structure in that shrine.<ref name=Hindu>{{cite book|title=Hindu Pilgrimage Centres|last=Harshananda|first=Swami|ref=Harsha|edition=second|publisher=Ramakrishna Math|location=Bangalore|year=2012|isbn=81-7907-053-0|page=61}}</ref>

==Legend==
As per Hindu legend, Kamakshi Amman is considered in line with [[Meenakshi temple|Meenakshi]] at [[Madurai]] and [[Kashi Vishwanath Temple|Visalakshi]] at [[Varanasi]]. Kamakshi is the only Shakti shrine centered across all Shiva temples in Kanchipuram which do not have separate shrines for Amman. Kamakshi is worshipped thus as ''Parabrahma Swaroopini''. She was initially very furious and was depicted as ''Ugra Swaroopini'' and became ''Shanta Swaroopini'' at the request of [[Adi Shankara]] who installed Sri Chakra in the place. The festive image of the temple is symbolically taken from the shrine of Adi Shankara following the legend.<ref name=Diwakar>{{cite book|title=Temples of South India|first=Macherla|last=Diwakar|location=Chennai|year=2011|edition=1st|page=140|isbn=978-93-83440-34-4|publisher=Techno Book House}}</ref>

==Architecture==
The temple occupies an area of {{convert|5|acre|ha|abbr=on}}. The sanctum houses the image of Kamakshi in seated posture and is flanked by the trinity of [[Shiva]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Brahma]]. There are smaller shrines of Bangaru Kamakshi, Adi Shankara and Maha Saraswathi around the sanctum.<ref name=Diwakar/>

==Festivals==
Four worship services are offered each day. The annual festival falls in Spring, in the Tamil month of Masi, which runs from mid-February to mid-March. During this time the chariot festival ([[Temple car|Ther]]) and float festival, (Theppam) are held.<ref name=Hindu/> Other festivals include Navaratri, Aadi and Aippasi Pooram, Sankara Jayanthi and Vasanta Utsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. All Fridays are considered sacred, though the Fridays in the Tamil months of Adi (mid-July to mid-August) and Thai (mid-January to mid-February) are celebrated.

== Adi Kamakshi Devi Temple ==
The Devi in Adi Kamakshi temple which is close by the present Kamakshi temple, is called by various names like Kirtimati, Devagarbha in extant Tantric works like Tantrachudamani. She has four hands containing in each of them respectively, Ankusa, Pasa, Abhaya and a Kapala. This description corresponds to those extant old tantric works.

== Kamakshi as Lalitha Maha Tripura Sundari ==
Shri Lalita Parabhattarika presides over the Kamakoshtha in five forms:

# '''Shri Kamakshi Para Bhattarika''' – Sri Kamakshi is the mula devata of the Kamakoti pitha seated in the centre of the inner sanctorum of the shrine in Kanchipuram known as the Gayatri mantapam. According to kamakshi rahasya, this mandapa was built by the celestials with the four walls representing the four Vedas and the twenty-four pillars representing the twenty-four syllables of the sacred formula of gayatri. Shrividya Parameshvari, who forms the inner core of the prakata gayatri and thus called rahasya gayatrI, is enshrined at the centre of the gayatri mandapam as Shri Kamakshi. She is seated on pancha brahmasana and sports in her four hands pasha, ankusha, iskhu kodanda and pushpa bana. Paramba is seated in yonyasana and faces southeast. When tormented by asuras led by Bhandasura, devas are said to have performed a penance to appease the Supreme Shakti in the form of parrots, residing on champaka vrkshas at Kanchi. Pleased with their penance, Paramba is said to have appeared from her residence in Mahameru or Bilakasha through the bila dvara and destroyed the demons. The shri vigraha of Paramba has been described as representing her three forms: sthula (Dhyana yogya, Savayava), Sukshma (mantra and yantratmaka) and Karana or Vasanatmaka. It is also said that Lord Mahadeva himself worshipped paramba in the four yugas assuming the forms of sages krodha bhattaraka, parashurama, dhaumya and Adi shankara bhagavatpada (and muka shankara, believed to be an incarnation of krodha bhattaraka). The bila dvara leading to bilakasha can be seen today in front of the tapomagna kamakshI sannidhi inside the garbhagrha. It is also said that bhagavan rudra assumed the form of durvasas on her emergence from the bilakasha and first worshipped her through the modalities of shrividya tantra by consecrating a shrichakra here. He is thus the sampradaya guru of shrividya and the credit for crystallizing paramba at Kanchipuram as Gurumurtisvarupini (Charyanandanatha-para bhattarika mithunatmika) goes to this great seer. The forms of vashinyadi Vagdevatas can be seen around the Shrichakra in their same positions as in Shripura. A shrine dedicated to hayagrIva and agastya can be seen in the third prakara of the temple, at the location where the teaching of Lalita Trishati was imparted.<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=41}}</ref>
# '''Tapah Kamakshi''' – This form of paramba can be seen to the right of the mula devata and close to the bila dvara. Separated from mahadeva, uma appeared first as annapurna in Kashi and then following the advice of sage Katyayana, appeared in Kanchi to worship Ekamranatha under the mango tree in rudrakoshtha and married him.
# '''Anjana Kamakshi''' – Also known as Arupa , her shrine is situated to the left of the mula devata, facing the north and in front of saubhagya ganapati. Rama is said to have performed a penance to regain her lost beauty in this place and due to the grace of paramba, kumkuma offerings of mula devata is offered to her here before being accepted by the devotees. While she represents Rama in her form as rama-bija, she represents Kamakshi in the form of Kamakalakshara that is inherent in the rama bIja.
# '''Svarna Kamakshi''' – The shrine of this deity, also known as Bangaru Kamakshi is situated in the second prakara. It is said that this form was created by Shrividya parameshvari from her third eye to serve as the shakti of ekamranatha named ekambika. The original idol that appeared from the third-eye of paramba is seen today in Tanjore, which was transported to Tanjore to protect the idol from Muslim attacks by Kamakshidasa, an ancestor of Shri Shyama Shastrigal.
# '''Utsava Kamakshi''' – The shrine of Utasava Kamakshi, the idol which is brought out during processions, is located in the second prakara. The idol is accompanied on either side by idols of Sharada and Rama. While the devatas generally are accompanied by their male/female consorts in most cases, on account of Kamakshi being Shiva-shaktyatmika, there is no shrine devoted to Shiva here. Sri Lalitambika, who appeared from Chidagni for the destruction of Bhandasura, was presented to the world by Brahma with the special name – Sri Kamakshi. Thus, ‘Kamakshi’ is the special epithet of the primordial Parashakti Sri Lalita. As she brings joy to the mind of Sri Kameshwara, she is referred to as ‘Sri Lalita’.

== Durvasa Maharishi ==
[[File:Kamakshi Amman Temple Golden Gopurams.jpg|thumb|Kamakshi Amman Temple with the golden overlays over its gopurams.]]
[[File:Kamakshi Amman Temple with golden roof, Kanchipuram.jpg|thumb|Kamakshi Amman Temple with golden roof, [[Kanchipuram]].]]
[[File:Kamakshi Amman Temple - old temple building, Kanchipuram.jpg|thumb|Kamakshi Amman Temple - old temple building, Kanchipuram.]]
The shrine situated in front of Sri Kamakshi’s Garbha Grham is of Sage Durvasas, also known as Krodha Bhattaraka. There are thirty-two chief upasakas of Devi like manu, chandra, kubera etc. Among these, Kamaraja, Lopamudra and Durvasa are the chief upasakas. Durvasa pranita vidya is called Sadi vidya. Durvasa represents the power of sattvika krodha of Amba, used to protect and correct her devotees, and thus her limitless kriya shakti. It is Sri Durvasa who established the Kamakoti Peetha by consecrating a Bhu-Prastara Srichakra in front of Amba. He composed Lalita Stavaratna, also called Arya dwisahti, describing the Srinagara. He also composed Traipura Mahimna Stotra, a complete mantra shastra in itself and also the Para Shambhu Mahimna Stotra. Due to a curse by Saraswati, he was born as a deaf and dumb brahmana and was graced by Sri Kamakshi with Anugraha Diksha.

== Raudra Swaroopa ==
Another popular myth is about Adi Shankara pacifying the Raudra Swarupa of Kamakshi. Sri Kamakshi is Purna Brahma Swarupini and she did not attain Raudra. The shrine in the temple premises, referred to as Adi Kamakshi, is actually Kalikamba. It is possible that this deity was pacified by Adi Acharya

==The Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple as a Shakti Peeth==
{{main|Daksha Yaga|Shakti Peethas}}
[[File:Dakshayani.jpg|thumb|left|Shiva carrying the corpse of [[Sati (goddess)]]]]
The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self-immolation is the main theme in the origin of Shakti Peethas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kottiyoor Devaswam Temple Administration Portal|url=http://kottiyoordevaswom.com/|publisher=Kottiyoor Devaswam|access-date=20 July 2013}}</ref>

[[Shakti Peethas]] are divine temples of Adiparashakti. The cause of the presence of [[Devi]]'s presence is due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of [[Sati (goddess)|Sati]] Devi. The naval part of Sati Devi's body is believed to have fallen here. There are 51 Shakti Peeth linking to the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit. There are also arguments that the old Kanchi temple is the Shakti peetha, where [[Sankaracharya]] has installed the Shri Chakra.<ref name=Hindu/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kamakoti.org/|title=www.kamakoti.org/}}</ref>

==Tirukkalvanur==
[[File:Kanchipuram.in Kamakshi-Amman Temple - panoramio.jpg|thumb]]
In the shrine of Kamakshi Amman close to the sanctum, the Tirukalavanur [[Divya Desam]], the temples dedicated to [[Vishnu]] in his form of [[Varaha]] glorified by the 7th-10th century ''[[alwars]]'' (Tamil saint poets) is present. The temple faced west went to ruins and the deity is now placed inside the Kamakshi Amman temple. There are shrines over the ''[[vimana]]''.<ref>''South Indian shrines: illustrated ''P.539.P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar</ref>

==Other famous Kamakshi temples in Tamil Nadu==
** Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Maangadu, Chennai
** Sri Aadhi Kamakshi Amman Temple, Thiruvarangam, Near to Paramakudi (16 km from paramakudi bus stand), Ramanathapuram District.
** Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Arappothu, near to Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District.
** Sri kamakshi Amman Temple, Valudoor, near to Ramanathapuram town, Ramanathapuram District.
** Sri Ekambareswar Kamakshi Amman Temple, Keela eral (near Ettaiyapuram, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin district), Tamil Nadu, India. Sri Chakra made here and praying 51 gods. Every year festival will be done for 7 continuous days (Tamil month Maasi) attracting people all around the world for getting blessings from the Kamakshi Amman. Also, Annadhanam (free food) will be provided on these festival days and also at last Friday of every Tamil month inside temple premises.

== Temple Pond and Elephant Shed ==
The picture provides a glimpse view of Temple Pond and Gaja Shed. Everyday the temple rituals start with Go Pooja and Gaja Pooja. There is a separate shed with Elephants, which performs pooja to the deity by trumpeting every day early morning 5.AM. In front of the Grabagraha there is a Gayatri Mandapam to the right of the shire we can see the deities arupa lakshmi, swaropa lakshmi

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://www.kanchikamakshi.org/ Temple Information Website]
* [http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/kamakshi.html Templenet entry for temple]
* [http://sss.vn.ua/india/tamilnadu/kanchipuram/kamakshi_en.htm Photos of Kamakshi temple of Kanchipuram, 1280x960]

[[Category:Hindu temples in Kanchipuram]]
[[Category:Parvati temples]]
[[Category:Divya Desams]]

{{Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu}}

Kamakshi Amman Temple - Revision history

CleanupBot at 06:25, 24 November 2023