Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kamakshi Amman heart of Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is also famous for sarees. ADI KAMAKSHI TEMPLE IS PRESENT ON THE BACK SIDE OF THIS KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE. DO VISIT IT. Kamakshi Amman fulfills all our wishes through her eyes, So she is called as Kamakshi. Her eyes are full of kindness, love and affection. Many devotees feel some magic near her eyes, which could not be explained in words they are carried away by the kindness in her eyes. The Goddess is seated in a majestic Padmasana.

Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Amman

Kamakshi Devi is Lalitha Devi. The glory of Kamakshi Devi is given in 
1. Devimahatyam in Markandeya Puranam
2. Lalithopakyanam in Brahmanda Puranam.
3. Sanathkumara Samihitha in Skanda Puranam
4. Kanchi Puranam .

The letter “KA” represents Saraswati ,”MA” represents Lakshmi and “akshi” refers to the gracious eyes. Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati are referred as the two eyes of Sri Kamakshi Amman deity. 
“Sachamara Ramavani Savya Dhakshina Savethaa”

As said in the above Nama in Lalitha Sahasranamam, It is believed that in Kanchipuram Lakshmi Devi and Saraswathi Devi stand on either side of Kamakshi Devi and perform Vinjamara seva to Kamakshi Amman.

Kamakshi Devi temple is also called as Kamakoti as Kamakshi Devi gives much more than what we ask.

Glory of Kamakshi Devi was said by many saints in many Slokas right from Krutayuga to Kaliyuga

Varahi Amman

1. Dhurvasa Maharishi in 2000 slokas----Krutayuga
2. In Tretayuga by Parasura in 1500 slokas
3. In Dwaparayuga by Dhaumya Rishi in 1000slokas
4. In kaliyuga by Sri Mooka Sankara in 500 slokas

Chariot Of Kanchi Kamakshi Amman

Kamakshi Devi in Kanchipuram is in the form of Bilaakasam, Srichakra and as LalithaDevi with Arrows (Flowers) in her lower right hand, Ankusa in upper right hand, Bow (Sugarcane) in lower left hand, Pasa in upper left hand. Srichakra is present in front of the main deity. Any Pooja is first performed to Srichakra and then to main deity. Srichakram is installed by Adi Sankaracharya to pacify Kamakshi Devi.

PURANIC HISTORY
Rakshasa named Bandasura did severe penance for Lord Brahma and got several boons. He became very powerful and started troubling Devathas. Devathas urged Lord Siva for help. As Lord Siva knows only Sri BalaTripurasundari Devi has the power to kill Bandasura, he advised them to go to Kanchipuram through Bilamarga(tunnel), which is the safest place during Pralayam and pray for BalaTripurasundari Devi.

Kamakshi Amman in Sarasvathi Devi Alankaram

Devatha's came to Kanchipuram. They stayed in Kanchipuram in the disguise of parrots on a Champaka tree and prayed for BalaTripurasundari Devi. Goddess was pleased by their prayers and came out of a Bila in a very ferocious form with 8 hands, Chakra and 18 weapons and killed Bandasura, who is slepping in Kailasam. 
She dragged the body of Bandasura from Kailasam to Kanchipuram and entered the Bilam in the form of a small girl. Devathas recognized the goddess and took their original identities, but were frightened to go near the goddess as she looked very ferocious. They all prayed her to calm down. She took the form of a beautiful young girl with all the ornaments and with a smile on her face. She ordered Devathas to burry the body of Bandasura in the ground and install a Jayastamba on it.

Goopuram Of Sri Kamakshi Amman

Devathas buried Bandakasura as said by goddess. They built Gayatri Mandapam and did Avahana of the goddess in the form of a young girl on the Ratna Simhasana. Later they closed the doors and kept chanting Devi Slokas. They waited till next morning and then opened the doors. They wondered to see Lalitha Parameswari Devi in her nija roopa of Maha Tripurasundari with full of grace in her face, instead of the young girl. They Chanted Slokas in praise of her. She was pleased by their prayers and told she will be blessing every one coming here with her eyesight itself by the name of “Kamakshi Devi” .

She emerged as Swayumbu on Srimukha Nama year, Phalguna month, and when Ravi(sun) is in Kumba rasi, Krishnapaksha Thithi, Purvapalguni Nakshatram, Friday.

Devatha's wanted to do Patabishakam to MahaTripurasundari Devi.Viswakarma had sent Pallaki, Lord Brahma had sent pearl necklace, Lord Vishnu had sent Navaratna Kiritam, Lord Siva had sent Srichakra Pathakam made of all ratnas as gifts and decorated goddess with all ornaments and did Patabishekam. They urged her to stay here permanently. 
It is important to go to Swarna Kamakshi Mandiram after visiting Kamakshi Devi and not to do Sastanganamaskara in Gayatri Mandapam. 
We can see idol of Thundeera beside Vuschava Kamakshi. It seems as if he is in dyanam. Devootees pass by with out disturbing him. While crossing him devotees close their mouth by their hand (silence) as a sign of respect. 

ABOUT ARUPALAKSHMI DEVI
During Ksheera Sagara Madanam, body of Lord Vishnu turned in to blue colour due to the poison of Vasuki. To make fun of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi Devi said she is more fair in colour than Lord Vishnu.

Utsava Murti Of Kanchi Kamakshi

Lord Vishnu got angry & cursed Lakshmi Devi to turn ugly(Arupa Lakshmi). Goddess Lakshmi Devi realised her mistake & went to Kanchipuram. She prayed for Kamakshi Devi. Kamakshi Devi was pleased and asked Lakshmi Devi to stay on left side of her (Kamakshi Devi). Kamakshi Devi said that the Kumkum Prasadam given to devotes after Kumkum Archana to Kamakshi Devi is offered to Arupa Lakshmi Devi on the left side & by that touch of that Kumkum Lakshmi Devi will get back her beauty. 
SO KUMKUM GIVEN TO US AFTER ARCHANA IN KAMAKSHI TEMPLE IS OFFERED TO ARUPA LAKSHMI DEVI AND LATER TAKEN BY US. IT IS BELIEVED THAT BY KEEPING THIS KUMKUM ONE WILL GET WEALTH. IT IS BEING FOLLOWED EVEN TODAY.

Dwajastambam Of Kamakshi Amman

Lord Vishnu came to know Lakshmi Devi was in Kanchipuram and came to Kanchipuram to see what’s happening there. He was surprised to see Soundarya Lakshmi Devi & forgot himself and continued to see her secretly. Lakshmi Devi noticed him. By seeing the support of Kamakshi Devi, Lakshmi Devi called Lord Vishnu as “THIEF”, “CHORA”, “KALVA” come near me. So Lord Vishnu here is called as CHORA PERUMAL. CHORA PERUMAL IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF KAMAKSHI AMMAN. IT IS ONE AMONG THE 108 DEVYADESAMS.


OTHER TEMPLES SEEN IN KAMAKSHI DEVI TEMPLE

These all are present in inner Sanctum on either side of KAMAKSHI AMMAN GARBALAYAM(you can ask the priest to show you). You can only see them if you buy ticket for Abishekam or Sahasranamarchana otherwise you are not allowed into inner Sanctum.

Utsava Muthi Of Kanchi Kamakshi Amman

1. Sri Chakram in front of Kamakshi Amman.
2. Arupa Lakshmi Devi(on left of Kamakshi Amman).
3. Varahi(beside Lakshmi Devi on the left side).
4. Santhana Ganapathi(in front of Varahi)
5. Chora Perumal (on right side).
6. Soundarya Lakshmi (on right near Perumal).
7. Syamala Devi(Saraswati Devi)(on right side) 


ALL POOJAS ARE PERFORMED TO SRI CHAKRAM FIRST & THEN TO KAMAKSHI DEVI. IT IS INSTALLED BY ADI SANKARACHARYA.

TEMPLES INSIDE THE TEMPLE PREMISES

1. Utsava Kamakshi along with Saraswathi Devi& Lakshmi Devi (in front of main deity(Kamakshi Devi)
2. Saraswathi Devi, Swarna Kamakshi, on the way you can see Sowbagya Vinayaka & Sowbhagya Kumara Swamy(while getting down from Utsava Kamashi Mandapam. 
3. Annapurna Devi (as soon as you get down from Utsava Kamakshi Mandapam).
On the way to inner Sanctum.


TEMPLES INSIDE THE COMPOUND 
In Pradakshina marga from Dwajasthamba you can see 
1. Kalabhairava Swamy
2.. Kasi Viswanatha Swamy
3. Pancha Theertham along with statues of devils who are guards for that Theertham)
4. Bootha Janartha Temple(back side of Theertham, beside Kamakshi Devi Temple) 
5. Durga Devi
6. Kanchi Vruksham(tree) -speakingtree.in