Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
Kamakshi Amman Temple is situated in the historic city of Kachipuram near Chennai in Tamil Nadu .
History
Kanchi Kamakshi temple is about 1600 years old, constructed during the period when the Pallava Kings were ruling the country. This Temple must have built by the Pallava King in the 14th century, who kept Kanchipuram as the Capital City while ruling the country. This Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Kamakshi. In this temple, the goddess is said to have Saraswathi and Lakshmi in her eyes.
Story of the Temple
Once upon a time, an Asura King named Bandhasuran lived in the country. This King with the Majestic powers and arrogance gave torture to the innocent people and saints in the country. These saints unbearable with the torture from the King made prayers to Lord Shiva to save them, who in turn sent them to Goddess Parvati. Hence to kill that Asura King, Goddess Parvati appeared as Goddess Kamakshi in Kanchipuram.
Architecture
The Kanchipuram Kamakshi Temple covers about five acres in area. The idol of Goddess Kamakshi is in the seated form in the sanctum of the Temple depicting the Peace and prosperity. The Goddess Kamakshi holds a flower bunch and sugarcane bow in her lower hands. Then the Goddess carries a lasso and goads in her other two arms.
Other features of the Temple
The additional feature of this Temple is Elephant shed and the Pond. Here there is a shed for the Elephants, where the elephant used to trumpet early in the morning to pooja to the Goddess. Then the Gaja Pooja and Go Pooja are performed everyday in this Temple.
Celebrations
Each day, the worships are made every day for four days. The yearly festival celebrated in spring at the Tamil month of Masi from mid-February to mid-March. At this time of this festival, float festival and Chariot festival are held. The Aadi Pooram, Aippasi Pooram, Navratri, Vasanta Utsavama and Sankara Jayanthi are the other festivals famous here. All Fridays are considered to be auspicious and the Fridays of Thai(Tamil month) are considered special.
Adi Kamakshi Temple
There are many other Temples like Varadaraja Perumal, Kailasanathar Temple, and Ekaambareswarar Temple and so on in the surroundings of Kancheepuram. These temples have greater histories and well furnished historical Architecture. Other famous Temple is the Adi Kamakshi temple nearer to the Kamakshi Temple.
Fame
Kanchi Kamakshi Temple is one among the 50 Sakthi Peedams in India. This Temple is one of the famous three Goddess Parvathi Temples of India.
Transport facilities
You can reach this Kanchi Kamakshi Temple either by Bus or Train. The Buses to Kanchipuram (Kanchi) are available from all parts of the Chennai. The Temple is at the walk able distance from the bus stand. Then the Trains are also available from Chennai to reach Kanchipuram.