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SRI KANCHI KAMAKSHI TEMPLE – THE SOUL OF KANCHIPURAM
As per beliefs, the Kanchi Kamakshi temple has existed since time immemorial. In the documented past, Adi Shankaracharya set up the Sri Chakra at this temple and depending on when you agree to place him in history, the dates could vary from 5th BCE to 8th CE. Archaeologically, the temple is about 1600 years old going back to the days when the Pallava dynasty ruled this region and Kanchipuram used to be their capital.No matter who you believe in, at Kanchi, Sri Kamakshi is the reigning goddess.
Legend of Kanchi Kamakshi Temple
Kamakshi comes from the conjunction of three words – Ka, Ma & Aksh. Ka means Saraswati, Ma means Lakshmi and Aksh means eyes. She is whose eyes are Lakshmi & Saraswati.
Kamakshi Temple at Kanchi is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in the country, a very important Shakti Peeth. This is where the Nabhi or the Navel of the Goddess Sati had fallen when Shiva was taking around her body. It is also believed to be the Nabhisthan or the center of the earth or at least the eastern hemisphere.
It is believed that after the Devi took birth to kill the Asur Bhandasur, she took the Kanya Swarup and sat in this temple. The idol is supposed to be Swayambhu which means it was not created but it appeared. She is believed to be in the temple in three Swarupas – Sthula, Sukshama, and Shunya.
Story
The story goes that Kamakshi Amma prayed while standing on one foot on a needlepoint to get married to Shiva. Her wish came true and they were married in the month of Phalgun in the Uttara Nakshatra. There used to be an image of Kamakshi in Gold in standing pose as she prayed called Bangaru Kamakshi. It was shifted to Thanjavur when an attack on the temple was expected. The image is still in Thanjavur.
Rishi Durvasa prayed here after he was cursed. Once he overcame the curse by worshipping to Kamakshi, he installed the Sri Chakra here. He also wrote down Saubhagya Chintamani Kalpa also called Durvasa Samhita. In this text, he laid down the detailed Vidhi or the way to worship Kamakshi. Even today the worship is done exactly as he has written in his text Saubhagya Chintamani.Priests of 7 Gotras can worship at Kanchi Kamakshi temple. However, only two gotras worship here and the rest worship at Kamakshi temple in Thanjavur. Priests here are called Shastri’s.
Another Story
Another story tells us that Devi was in her Raudra Rup or angry form here. The sanctum used to be very hot with the heat of her anger. It was Adi Shankara who pacified her and since then she is in her Karuna or peaceful form. Adi Shankara wrote Saundra Lahiri in this temple.
It is believed that Dashratha – the father of Sri Ram and a king of Suryavanshi Ikshvaku Vansh from Ayodhya performed ‘Putra Kamechha Yagna’ here i.e a Yagna to get sons. He did get his four sons in a short time. Since then it is believed that childless couples can get children if they pray here. Devi Kamakshi is the Kuldevi of Ikshvashu Clan. This story is mentioned in Markandeya Purana.Mook Panchshati is a poem written in 500 verses by a Mook or a dumb person when he was blessed with the voice in this temple.
Kamakshi Idol in Kamakshi Amman Temple
The main sanctum at the temple is called Gayatri Mandapa. It has Kamakshi Amman sitting in the yogic pose of Padmasana. Her seat or Aasan is Panch Brahmasan. She has four arms. In her lower hands are a Sugarcane and a bunch of five flowers. In her upper hands have her weapons Pasha and Ankush. There is a parrot near her but it is hardly visible to the visitors. She is always well adorned in bright beautiful Saris with all the Shringara.
In the sanctum or the Garbhagriha, there is a silver-covered pillar which a hole in it representing the navel. It is believed to bless people with children. Even king Dashratha of Ayodhya prayed here to get children.
Sri Chakra
In front of the idol is the Yoni shaped carving, inside which is the Sri Chakra. It is the Sri Chakra that is worshipped here. Devi, as per all scriptures, sits on top Bindu of the Sri Chakra. There are 8 Vagdevis present around the Sri Chakra. It is difficult to see the Sri Chakra as it is always covered with layers of fresh lotus flowers in pink colors. Sri Chakra is carved in stone. Saundrya Lahiri – a very popular work on Devi by Adi Shankara was written here.It is believed that the four walls of the sanctum represent four Vedas, while the 24 pillars of Gayatri Mandap represent the 24 letters of Gayatri Chhand.
On the left side of the main idol are Varahi and Arup Lakshmi. Inside the sanctum where you are allowed only for special Pujas, you are given Kumkum, that you offer to Arup Lakshmi and take some with you as prasad. I was fortunate to get some bangles along with the Kumkum.On the right of Kamakshi idol is an image of Vishnu & Swarup Lakshmi. The door leading to the main sanctum is called Bilvadwar.
Other Deities
Surrounding the main shrine are smaller shrines. One of them is dedicated to Dharamshasta or Ayyapa Swami who is here with his two wives Poorna and Pushkala. Just outside Bilva door is a small temple dedicated to Annapoorna Devi who holds a full pot in one hand a ladle in another. Devotees say ‘Bhiksham Dehi’ so that the mother always keeps their plates full. Remember Annapurna is the Adhishtatri or the prime goddess of Kashi.
Sri Saraswati with her eight arms is present as Mantrini or a minister of Kamakshi Amman. She is also called Matangi or Rajshyamala and those looking for knowledge pray to her. A temple is dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya. It has names of eight saints written on top – Narayan, Brahmo, Vasishth, Shakti, Parashar, Vyas, Shuka, Gaudpa & Govind Bhagwat. Temple of Durvasa Muni is there
Vishnu Temple, Ashtadurga Temple, and Mandapas
Around the Panchganga tank, there is a Sri Vishnu temple and an Ashtadurga temple.There are many big and small mandapas around the main temple.
Vishnu Temple, Ashtadurga Temple, and Mandapas
Around the Panchganga tank, there is a Vishnu temple and an Ashtadurga temple.There are many big and small mandapas around the main temple.
Kaushikeshwara temple
The Kaushikeshwara temple is dedicated to Shiva, which is, in fact, the oldest stone temple in Kanchipuram. It is a small but beautiful temple
.Adi Kamakshi Temple
Adi Kamakshi Temple is for Shakti worshippers. It is again a small temple.
Kumarakottam Temple
Kumarakottam is dedicated to Karthikeyan. This is one of the bigger temples around. It is a lovely temple with an idol of Karthikeyan in a standing position. The temple is placed in a such a way between Kamakshi Temple and Ekambarnath Shiva Temple that it forms the formation of Somskanda.
Sankupani Ganapati Temple
Sankupani Ganapati Temple is a small temple.
Ulgananda Perumal Temple
The Ulgananda Perumal Temple is the Vishnu temple close by. Vishnu is present here as Trivikrama with one leg stretched out. The idol is giant and similar images can be seen in some of the Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram.
Please see this You Tube Video
LM9lUutFtb4
Source:https://www.inditales.com/kanchi-kam...e-kanchipuram/
This post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copy rights
As per beliefs, the Kanchi Kamakshi temple has existed since time immemorial. In the documented past, Adi Shankaracharya set up the Sri Chakra at this temple and depending on when you agree to place him in history, the dates could vary from 5th BCE to 8th CE. Archaeologically, the temple is about 1600 years old going back to the days when the Pallava dynasty ruled this region and Kanchipuram used to be their capital.No matter who you believe in, at Kanchi, Sri Kamakshi is the reigning goddess.
Legend of Kanchi Kamakshi Temple
Kamakshi comes from the conjunction of three words – Ka, Ma & Aksh. Ka means Saraswati, Ma means Lakshmi and Aksh means eyes. She is whose eyes are Lakshmi & Saraswati.
Kamakshi Temple at Kanchi is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in the country, a very important Shakti Peeth. This is where the Nabhi or the Navel of the Goddess Sati had fallen when Shiva was taking around her body. It is also believed to be the Nabhisthan or the center of the earth or at least the eastern hemisphere.
It is believed that after the Devi took birth to kill the Asur Bhandasur, she took the Kanya Swarup and sat in this temple. The idol is supposed to be Swayambhu which means it was not created but it appeared. She is believed to be in the temple in three Swarupas – Sthula, Sukshama, and Shunya.
Story
The story goes that Kamakshi Amma prayed while standing on one foot on a needlepoint to get married to Shiva. Her wish came true and they were married in the month of Phalgun in the Uttara Nakshatra. There used to be an image of Kamakshi in Gold in standing pose as she prayed called Bangaru Kamakshi. It was shifted to Thanjavur when an attack on the temple was expected. The image is still in Thanjavur.
Rishi Durvasa prayed here after he was cursed. Once he overcame the curse by worshipping to Kamakshi, he installed the Sri Chakra here. He also wrote down Saubhagya Chintamani Kalpa also called Durvasa Samhita. In this text, he laid down the detailed Vidhi or the way to worship Kamakshi. Even today the worship is done exactly as he has written in his text Saubhagya Chintamani.Priests of 7 Gotras can worship at Kanchi Kamakshi temple. However, only two gotras worship here and the rest worship at Kamakshi temple in Thanjavur. Priests here are called Shastri’s.
Another Story
Another story tells us that Devi was in her Raudra Rup or angry form here. The sanctum used to be very hot with the heat of her anger. It was Adi Shankara who pacified her and since then she is in her Karuna or peaceful form. Adi Shankara wrote Saundra Lahiri in this temple.
It is believed that Dashratha – the father of Sri Ram and a king of Suryavanshi Ikshvaku Vansh from Ayodhya performed ‘Putra Kamechha Yagna’ here i.e a Yagna to get sons. He did get his four sons in a short time. Since then it is believed that childless couples can get children if they pray here. Devi Kamakshi is the Kuldevi of Ikshvashu Clan. This story is mentioned in Markandeya Purana.Mook Panchshati is a poem written in 500 verses by a Mook or a dumb person when he was blessed with the voice in this temple.
Kamakshi Idol in Kamakshi Amman Temple
The main sanctum at the temple is called Gayatri Mandapa. It has Kamakshi Amman sitting in the yogic pose of Padmasana. Her seat or Aasan is Panch Brahmasan. She has four arms. In her lower hands are a Sugarcane and a bunch of five flowers. In her upper hands have her weapons Pasha and Ankush. There is a parrot near her but it is hardly visible to the visitors. She is always well adorned in bright beautiful Saris with all the Shringara.
In the sanctum or the Garbhagriha, there is a silver-covered pillar which a hole in it representing the navel. It is believed to bless people with children. Even king Dashratha of Ayodhya prayed here to get children.
Sri Chakra
In front of the idol is the Yoni shaped carving, inside which is the Sri Chakra. It is the Sri Chakra that is worshipped here. Devi, as per all scriptures, sits on top Bindu of the Sri Chakra. There are 8 Vagdevis present around the Sri Chakra. It is difficult to see the Sri Chakra as it is always covered with layers of fresh lotus flowers in pink colors. Sri Chakra is carved in stone. Saundrya Lahiri – a very popular work on Devi by Adi Shankara was written here.It is believed that the four walls of the sanctum represent four Vedas, while the 24 pillars of Gayatri Mandap represent the 24 letters of Gayatri Chhand.
On the left side of the main idol are Varahi and Arup Lakshmi. Inside the sanctum where you are allowed only for special Pujas, you are given Kumkum, that you offer to Arup Lakshmi and take some with you as prasad. I was fortunate to get some bangles along with the Kumkum.On the right of Kamakshi idol is an image of Vishnu & Swarup Lakshmi. The door leading to the main sanctum is called Bilvadwar.
Other Deities
Surrounding the main shrine are smaller shrines. One of them is dedicated to Dharamshasta or Ayyapa Swami who is here with his two wives Poorna and Pushkala. Just outside Bilva door is a small temple dedicated to Annapoorna Devi who holds a full pot in one hand a ladle in another. Devotees say ‘Bhiksham Dehi’ so that the mother always keeps their plates full. Remember Annapurna is the Adhishtatri or the prime goddess of Kashi.
Sri Saraswati with her eight arms is present as Mantrini or a minister of Kamakshi Amman. She is also called Matangi or Rajshyamala and those looking for knowledge pray to her. A temple is dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya. It has names of eight saints written on top – Narayan, Brahmo, Vasishth, Shakti, Parashar, Vyas, Shuka, Gaudpa & Govind Bhagwat. Temple of Durvasa Muni is there
Vishnu Temple, Ashtadurga Temple, and Mandapas
Around the Panchganga tank, there is a Sri Vishnu temple and an Ashtadurga temple.There are many big and small mandapas around the main temple.
Vishnu Temple, Ashtadurga Temple, and Mandapas
Around the Panchganga tank, there is a Vishnu temple and an Ashtadurga temple.There are many big and small mandapas around the main temple.
Kaushikeshwara temple
The Kaushikeshwara temple is dedicated to Shiva, which is, in fact, the oldest stone temple in Kanchipuram. It is a small but beautiful temple
.Adi Kamakshi Temple
Adi Kamakshi Temple is for Shakti worshippers. It is again a small temple.
Kumarakottam Temple
Kumarakottam is dedicated to Karthikeyan. This is one of the bigger temples around. It is a lovely temple with an idol of Karthikeyan in a standing position. The temple is placed in a such a way between Kamakshi Temple and Ekambarnath Shiva Temple that it forms the formation of Somskanda.
Sankupani Ganapati Temple
Sankupani Ganapati Temple is a small temple.
Ulgananda Perumal Temple
The Ulgananda Perumal Temple is the Vishnu temple close by. Vishnu is present here as Trivikrama with one leg stretched out. The idol is giant and similar images can be seen in some of the Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram.
Please see this You Tube Video
LM9lUutFtb4
Source:https://www.inditales.com/kanchi-kam...e-kanchipuram/
This post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copy rights