History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Kamakshi Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
The Kamakshi Amman temple also known as Kamashi Temple, located in Kanchipuram or Kanchi – city of temple and one of the seven sacred city – Sapt Puri, near Chennai. This temple is solely dedicated to Kamakshi, the form of Goddess Lalitha Maha Tripurasundar (Parvati). This is one of the 52 Shakti Peetha Temple where Navel of Ma Devi Sati was fallen down thus it is highly sacred pilgrimage destination with unique importance.
Kamakshi Amman Temple was built by Pallava kings, who were ruling this capital, Kanchipuram but the exact time of construction is unknown – may be in 6th century. Then Chola and Vijaynagar ruler had expanded temple premise by adding smaller shrines around the main temple. This Kamakshi temple is one of the three important places of worship for the Goddess Shakti along with Madura Meenakshi in Madurai and Kasi Visalakshi in Varanasi. Kamakshi temple along with Meenakshi Temple in Madhurai, the Akilandeswari temple in Thiruvanaikaval near Tiruchirappali are the most important pilgrimage destination of Tamil Nadu. The idol of Goddess Kamakshi is seated in a Padmasana posture like yogi that signifies peace and prosperity. Adi Shankar Acharya, the famous saint of 8th century, re-establishes the Sri Chakra in this temple in the trough like structure in that shrine.
In Tamil Nadu, Kamakshi is one of the Shakti Shrine temple which is centred across all Shiva temples in Kanchipuram which do not separate shrines for Amman. Thus, Kamakshi is worshipped as Parabrahma Swaroopini.
The annual Chariot festival and float festival are being held in Kamakshi temple. Other festivals like Navratri, Aadi, Aippasi pooram, Sankara Jayanthi and Vasanta Utsavam are also celebrated here with great zeal.
Then Kamakshi is the combination of three word, the letter 'Ka' represents Saraswati - the Goddess of knowledge, Ma represents Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth, and 'akshi' refers to kind eyes. These three Hindu Goddesses or Devis form the holy trinity of the female mystical energy of the universe.
The idol of Goddess Kamakshi in this temple is in sitting posture or Padmasana Posture which looks like the louts or form of meditation. You can observe four hand of goddess, the sugarcane bow on left upper arm and Lotus, Parrot in right upper arm in idol of Goddess Kamakshi. Along with these, divine chakras called Pasa and Angusa are placed in arms.
The majestic temple campus spread across 5 acers of land where Kamakshi Amman temple was built in the Dravidian architectural style. Entrance of temple is marked with a signature gopuram, a towering structure that is decorated with frescos of various Gods and Goddesses. In the Garbhagriha, there is a silver-covered pillar which a hole in it representing the navel as it is believed that navel of goddess sati was fallen down here. Apart from this, there are many big and small mandapas constructed around the main temple.
Nearby Attraction from Kamakshi Temple, Kanchipurama
Kailasnath Temple, Sankara Mutt, Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, Adi Kamakshi Temple, Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Sankupani Ganapati Temple, Trilokyanatha Temple, Chitragupta Swamy Temple, Sathyanatheswarar Temple, Ashtabujakaram Temple etc. are the nearby other shrine which attracts tourist and devotee in Kanchipuram.
How to reach Kamakshi Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
The city Kanchipuram – one of sapt puri and major pilgrimage destination of Tamil Nadu and India is well connected with the other cities of the state. There are many private and government state buses available to reach Kanchipuram. The Bus Station of Kanchipuram is just 800 metres at a distance from this temple.The Railway Junction is also there in Kanchipuram at a distance of 1km. The nearest air connectivity is in Chennai International Airport at distance of 75kms.
