Kamakshiamman Kancheepuram

Other Temples, Kancheepuram Taluk

God

Kamatchiamman is the goddess for all Shiva Temples in Kancheepuram

Goddess

Kamakshi Amman, facing east

Other Deities

Tapah Kamakshi, Anjana Kamakshi, Swarna Kamakshi, Utsava Kamakshi, Sage Durvasa, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Durga, Annapoorani, Varahi, Bhairava, Adivaraha Perumal

Kamakshiamman Kancheepuram is a large and beautiful temple where Kamakshiamman is seated in a majestic Padmasana, an yogic posture signifying peace and prosperity, instead of the traditional standing pose. The goddess holds a sugarcane bow and bunch of 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. Kamakshiamman Kancheepuram, faces east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram on the eastern side and 3 tiered Gopurams on the other three sides. A large and excellently maintained temple tank inside and the Golden Vimaanam for the goddess are special features. Kanchi Mahaperiava has spent years here meditating and observing each and every aspect of this wonderful temple. The 8 Devatas who form the Sreevidya are found here – Kamakshiamman, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Durga, Annapoorani, Varahi and Bhairava. The significant feature of this temple is that all other important temples in Kancheepuram face its direction and all deities during processions come and circumambulate Kamatchiamman Temple. Also the important shiva temples in Kancheepuram do not have a separate goddess installed as they all consider Kamatchiamman as the Goddess. The temple is an example of good maintenance and clean surroundings. Adivaraha Perumal inside the temple is considered as a separate 108 Divya Desam Temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Pancha Ganga

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Shenbagam (Michelia champaka)

History

The original Aadhi Peedeswari Amman is in a temple adjacent, where Aadhi Sankara installed the Chakra in the 8th Century CE and rendered his Soundarya Lahiri. The present day temple is believed to have originally been a Jain and Buddhist temple (different versions) and gradually converted to its present status and form after 12th century AD. The original temple was built by Pallava Kings around 6th Century CE.

Legend

Sati (parvati) committed self immolation and her body parts are believed to have fallen in different parts which came to be known as the 51 Shakti Peedams. Kamakshiamman Kancheepuram is a Shakti Peedam referred to as Oddiyanapeedam. According to Kamakshi Rahasya, the main mandapa here 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 center of the Gayatri Mandapam as Kamakshiamman. It is believed that King Dasaratha (Father of Lord Rama) performed “Putra Kameshi Yagam” here.

Directions

Kamakshiamman Kancheepuram is located in the center of Kancheepuram Town.

Stay and Food

Kancheepuram town has innumerable temples which could be combined as preferred. Refer our map to plan your day. Good hotels and restaurants are available.

Vaishnavite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples