The Kamakshi Amman temple is located in Kanchipuram near Chennai in Tamil Nadu state and is one of the most historic temples in the city. Shakti is the dominant form of the Goddess Kamakshi. The Temple is among the Siddha Peetha Temples. The goddess’s residence in Kanchi is known as “Nabisthana Ottiyana Peetam.”

The goddess’s name is Sri Kamakshi. The word “Akshi” is derived from the words “Ka,” which means “God of Education,” “Ma,” which means “God of Wealth,” and “Akshi,” which means “Eye.” As the name implies, the god lives in Kanchi with Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi as her two eyes. The poem Lalitha Sahasranama is an example of the goddess’s power.

The Tirukalavanur Divya Desam, a temple devoted to Vishnu in his form of Varaha praised by the 7th-10th century Alvars (Tamil saint poets), is located near the sanctum in the shrine of Kamakshi Amman. The temple facing west was demolished, and the deity is currently housed within the Kamakshi Amman shrine. Over the vimana, there are shrines.

The Story Behind Kamakshi Amman Temple

The goddess of Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati, or Durga—Hinduism’s most influential woman and most powerful deity—is referred to as Shakti. Durga Devi, Mahakali, and Gowri are the three main manifestations of Shakti, the power goddess. She is Adi Shakti’s avatar.

According to local legends and beliefs, the Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram has existed here ever since the beginning of time. The three words Ka (Saraswati), Ma (Lakshmi), and Aksh (eyes) form the word “Kamakshi.” At the end of the day, the name of the temple indicates a god whose eyes are represented by the Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati.

It is believed that the Goddess took birth to kill the Asur Bhandasur. She appeared as Kanya Swarupand resided in this temple. She is known as Swayambhu and is believed to have appeared and never been created for the same reason. Sthula, Sukshama, and Shunya are the three incarnations of Swarupas that are believed to be present in the temple.

History of Kamakshi Amman Temple

Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram, has been around since the 7th century when it was founded by Adi Shankaracharya, a well-known Indian spiritual leader. According to historical data, the Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple was built around 1,600 years ago, when the Pallava dynasty ruled this region with Kanchipuram as their capital. The spiritual leader is said to have built the Sri Chakra in this temple.

It was under the reign of the Pallava administration in that time that the sanctuary was worked from 5th BCE to 8th CE, according to archaeological verifications. The Chola and Vijaynagar rulers extended the complex by adding more modest altars around the principal Sri Kamakshi Amman Sanctuary.

The sanctum of Kamakshi is one of the three most important places of worship for the Goddess Shakti, the other two being Madura Meenakshi in Madurai and Kasi Visalakshi in Varanasi.

Architecture of Temple

Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram is a stunning religious site that covers 5 acres and is built on multiple levels. A gopuram in the typical style of South Indian temples marks the entrance remarkably. The gopuram is a massive structure with murals and images of ancient gods and goddesses in various poses. There are a few small figures painstakingly cut to describe accounts of the principal divinity inside the sanctuary. This is the Dravidian architectural symbolism that is most prevalent in the Kanchipuram temple and other South Indian cities.

In the courtyard, a gold-adorned Vimanam (spire) with the deity’s idol atop is positioned in a greeting posture. There are four doors with one on each side of the tower from where the god should be visible and revered. The idol of the goddess Kamakshi is seated inside the sanctum in Padmasana, a Yoga pose that looks like a lotus. It is generally accepted that the goddess is meditating within the sanctum of the temple. She is holding a parrot in her upper right arm, a sugarcane bow in her left arm, and her Pasa and Angura divine chakras in her left and right lower arms, respectively.

The principal sanctum is finished with a few strict designs, pictures and figurines including 100 pillared corridors and a haven solely for elephants that offer petitions and love the divinity each day at 5:00 am. Numerous smaller shrines fill the sanctum, which is surrounded by a large pond that enhances the tranquillity and spirituality of the setting.

Facts about Kamakshi Amman Temple

• Kamakshi Amman Temple is an ancient shrine in Kanchipuram as Goddess Kamakshi’s main deity.
• Spread over an area of 2 hectares Kamakshi Amman temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style
• Saraswati Devi and Lakshmi Devi are the two eyes of the Goddess Kamakshi, who lives in Kanchi. Kamakshi Amman Temple is an ancient place of worship dedicated to the Goddess Kamakshi.
• The Kamakshi Amman Temple was constructed by the Pallava kings to honour Hinduism. The temple was once more rebuilt by the Cholas in the middle of the fourteenth century after being incorporated into the seventh century A.D.
• The shrine is situated in front of Sri Kamakshi’s Garbha Grham is of Sage Durvasa, also known as Krodha Bhattaraka.
• The sanctum is full of multiple smaller shrines surrounding a large pond adds to the tranquillity and spirituality of the premise.
• The Tirukalavanur Divya Desam, the temples devoted to Vishnu in his form of Varaha exalted by the 7th-10th century Alvars (Tamil saint poets), is situated in the shrine of Kamakshi Amman near the sanctum.

Famous Festivals In Temple

Millions of people visit this temple every year to celebrate all of the festivals that are held here. Some major festivals held here are

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct) as well as celebrate the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon (Mahishasura).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days, they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• According to the Tamil and Hindi calendar, the month of “Maasi” is a good time to worship Lord Shiva. An annual festival is typically held here between the middle of February and the middle of March. This month typically follows. When the Goddess Kamakshi is taken out of the sanctum and carried in a silver chariot in a procession on the seventh day of the month, there is a special celebration.
• Rath Yatra, Sankara Jayanti, Aadi, and Aippasi Pooram are other important festivals that are also celebrated with a lot of show and glitz within the temple complex.
• Brahmmotsavam are the major festivals celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a major occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.

How to Reach Kamakshi Amman Temple

Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple is located in Kanchipuram near Chennai in Tamil Nadu state.

Nearest Airport: Chennai Airport at a distance of nearly 75km from Temple.

Nearest Railway Station:  Devotees can reach Kanchipuram via the Chengalpattu Railway Station on the Arakkonam railway line. Daily passenger train services were also maintained between Chennai and Kanchipuram.

Bus/Cab Service: The city bus service is quite frequent and convenient to reach Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram.

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