Discover the divine allure of Kamakshi Temple in Kanchipuram, the sacred abode of Goddess Kamakshi, offering spiritual solace amidst a rich tapestry of history and legends. Explore its enigmas for an amazing pilgrimage experience.

Kamakshi Temple Overview

Kamakshi Temple is located in Kanchipuram and honors the goddess Kamakshi. The Kamakshi temple, also known as the Kamatchi Amman temple dates back to ancient times. It is the sole Shakti shrine amidst approximately 1000 other temples near Kanchipuram. Situated at the heart of Kanchi, Shiva and Vishnu temples surround it.

Devotees revere goddess Kamakshi as an incarnation of Devi Adi Shakti and count her among the 51 Shakti Peethas, the highest aspect of Shaktism. The primary narrative behind the origin of Shakti Peethas revolves around the saga of Daksha yagna and Sati’s self-immolation. As per the belief, these 51 Shakti Peethas are the divine temples of Adi Shakti from the fallen body parts of Devi Sati. Legend has it that the naval part of Sati’s body rests in Kanchi. Moreover, Kanchi’s Kamakshi temple holds significance as one of the three major Shakti temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti, alongside Meenakshi from Madurai and Vishalakshi from Varanasi. Other renowned Shakti shrines in Tamil Nadu include the Meenakshi temple in Madurai and the Akhilandeswari temple near Tiruchirapalli.

Legends surrounding the temple

According to legend, Goddess Kamakshi created a Shiva Linga from the sand and worshipped it beneath a mango tree. Impressed by her tapasya, Lord Shiva married her as Ekambaranatha. In a separate temple in Kanchi, devotees worship Ekambaranatha. For further insights into this legend and the Ekambaranatha temple, you can explore by clicking here.

As per another legend, Devas prayed to Mother Goddess for protection from the demons on Earth. So, she appeared as Kali to destroy the demons. The sanctum of the Goddess remained very hot, symbolizing her fierce form after killing the demon. Adi Shankaracharya placed the Sri Chakra in the shrine to calm this ferocious energy, transforming the Goddess into her peaceful and kind form, known as Shanti Swaroopini. Today, she shows her intense form only during festival processions. This shrine is also where Adi Shankaracharya wrote ‘Saundarya Lahari’, a poetic work with 103 verses that praise the beauty and grace of Goddess Tripura Sundari, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, and detail ancient spiritual practices involving Tantra, Yantra, and Mantra rituals.

Another legend suggests that Rishi Durvasa broke his curse after praying to Kamakshi. Subsequently, he installed the Sri Chakra and penned the Sowbhagya Chintamani Kalpa, detailing the Kanchi Kamakshi temple, its traditional worshiping families, and the rituals conducted at its various shrines. Originally, seven Gotra priests conducted worship here, but now, for historical reasons, only two priests officiate, while the majority worship at the Thanjavur Kamakshi temple.

According to yet another legend, King Dasharatha of Ayodhya performed the Putra Kameshi Yaga here for the birth of his child. Kamakshi Devi is also revered as the Kuladevi of the Ikshvaku clan. Since then, believers have believed that childless couples are blessed with children after praying to Devi here.

History of Kamakshi Temple

The Kamakshi Amma temple dates back to the 7th century when Adi Guru Shankaracharya installed the Sri Chakra. The Pallava rulers initially constructed the temple, with subsequent expansions carried out by the Chola and Vijayanagar rulers in later stages. Recognizing the imminent threat of an attack on the temple, it was eventually relocated to Thanjavur for protection.

Structure of the Kamakshi Temple

The temple covers 5 acres. The trinity of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma flanks the sanctum of Kamakshi. Smaller shrines for Bangaru Kamakshi, Saraswati, Durga Devi, and Adi Shankaracharya are located around the outer sanctum. Further, Utsava Kamakshi, the idol brought out during processions, is housed in the second enclosure. Unlike the usual ritual where consorts are carried separately, this idol is accompanied by Saraswati and Lakshmi during processions.

The grand temple boasts four gopuras, each boasting its entrance, positioned in all cardinal directions. These towering structures adorn sculptures depicting various gods and goddesses, showcasing the richness of the temple’s architecture. The temple is in the Dravidian architectural style. At the heart of the courtyard stands a majestic gold Vimana (tower), where the deity resides. The sanctity of Kamakshi finds its pinnacle in the Gayatri Mantapa, serving as her primary sanctum.

The Thousand Pillar Hall, various small mandaps, and Kalyani enhance the temple’s splendor. Notably, the exquisitely carved Thousand Pillar Hall, a testament to Vijayanagar’s architectural prowess, is magnificent. A large sacred tank accentuates the tranquil ambiance of the surroundings, adding to the peaceful allure of the destination.

About Kamakshi Amma

Revered as ‘Shri Matha,’ Kamakshi holds the esteemed position of being the first name in Lalitha Sahasranama. The name ‘Kamakshi’ itself connotes ‘one with lotus eyes,’ symbolizing the embodiment of grace and beauty. Etymologically, ‘Kamakshi’ derives from ‘Ka’ representing Devi Saraswati, ‘Ma’ symbolizing Devi Lakshmi, and ‘Akshi’ signifying gracious eyes, thus epitomizing the amalgamation of Devi’s attributes. As part of the Hindu scriptures, these goddesses constitute the holy trinity of Adi Shakti, representing the transcendental feminine energy that encompasses the universe.

Instead of the traditional standing pose, the panchaloha idol of the main deity, Kamakshi, sits in Padmasana. Padmasana is a yoga posture symbolizing prosperity and peace. A sugarcane bow adorns her upper left arm, while a parrot rests on her upper right arm. Her lower arms hold the Pasa and Angura divine chakras. Devi assumed the Kanya Swarup upon birth and settled in this temple after vanquishing Asur Bhandasur. Hence, the idol is Swayambu, signifying its manifestation rather than creation. She manifests in three forms within the temple: Sthula, Sukshma, and Shunya. Previously, a gold statue of Kamakshi in a standing pose, named Bangaru Kamakshi, also graced the temple premises.

Tapa Kamakshi, located to the right of the main idol, is dedicated to Parvati when she performed penance in Kanchi to worship Shiva as Ekambaranatha. To the left of the main idol is the shrine of Anjana Kamakshi, also known as Arupa Lakshmi. According to legend, Goddess Lakshmi, at her husband Vishnu’s insistence, performed penance here to regain her lost beauty. Consequently, a shrine was built for Lakshmi at this site. Additionally, the complex features a shrine dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Varaha.

Our Experience

There are two Kamakshi temples in Kanchi: the main sanctum and Adi Kamakshi, the temple’s original location. While crowds tend to gather at the main Kamakshi temple, the Adi temple remains relatively empty. If you seek a tranquil space for meditation or wish to bask in divine blessings alone, the Adi Kamakshi temple is the perfect destination. It is the very spot where Kamakshi sat in her Kanya Swarup form.

We arrived at the main temple around 5 pm on Friday, thankfully encountering manageable crowds as we approached near the evening opening time. However, we found ourselves queuing for about 45 minutes to receive the divine Darshan of the goddess. Exiting the main shrine through the temple’s rear, we accepted Kumkum prasadam before sitting for a bit on the premises. While there, we noticed other visitors performing a swastika symbol at the shrine’s backside, accompanied by Kumkum prasad following their prayers. This is because the devotees offer Kumkum to Arupa Lakshmi before accepting it themselves.

How To Reach Kamakshi Temple

Travel Tips

• The temple remains open throughout the year, although the summer can be uncomfortably hot. For a more enjoyable experience, plan your visit between August and January when the weather is milder.
• Exploring the temple early in the morning or late in the evening is advisable to avoid the scorching sun, as the ground can become too hot to walk barefoot. Additionally, please note that all temples in Kanchi close from 12 pm to 4 pm daily.
• Expect Tuesdays, Fridays, and weekends to be the busiest days at the temple. On other days, anticipate a wait time of around 30 minutes for Darshan.
• When visiting the Kamakshi temple, it is advisable to dress traditionally. For women, the preferred attire includes a saree or half-saree paired with a blouse or churidar with pajama and upper cloth. For men, the preferred attire includes shirts and trousers, dhotis, or pajamas with upper clothes.
• The temple premises are well-maintained, so please help keep it clean by not leaving any litter behind.
• You can often spot monkeys on the outer structure of the sanctum near Deepasthamba. If you wish, you can offer them coconuts or bananas.

In conclusion, a visit to the Kamakshi Temple offers spiritual enrichment and a glimpse into the rich history and cultural heritage of Kanchipuram. Plan your trip to immerse yourself in the divine ambiance and explore the sacred traditions of this revered site.