Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple/Kanchi

Kamakshi temple is one of prominent Shakti peethas in India. There are 51 Shakti peethas in our country among them this place in Kanchi was called as “Nabisthana Ottiyana Peetam”.  Here the preceding deity is Kamakshi; she was a form of Goddesses Parvathi. The word Kamakshi derived as “Ka” means goddess Saraswathi (Goddess of education), “Ma” means Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth), “Akshi” means eye. This tells us the meaning that Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswathi are two eyes of Devi Kamakshi. Those who worship Goddess Kamakshi here are blessed with Knowledge & wealth.

HOW TO REACH:

 This historical place can be visited by all means of transport. It was just 75kms from Chennai. If you are flying down then the nearest airport is at Chennai and from there you have to make a roadway trip. Railways also connect to Chennai. Government buses are always available from Chennai so as private the buses.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE:

This temple was believed to be one of Shakti Peethas . Shakti Peethas are formed from Sati Devi’s body parts. While Lord Shiva was performing Thandava (Dance of destruction), holding Sati Devi’s burned body Lord Vishnu destroyed Sati Devi’s body by his Sudershana chakra. These body parts fell on ground and formed as Shakti Peethas. According to puranas Sati devis’s Eyes had fell here.

In eight century Adi Shankaracharya a known Scholar established a Sri Chakra in Trough like shape and named this place as Kamakoti peetha. Devi’s structure was fierce full with four hands in this original Kamakshi temple. Near to this temple, a new Kamakshi temple was built and that too considered as divine in some books. 

SEVAS & FESTIVALS:

Here the annual festival falls in spring season which was called as Masi in Tamil which falls in the months of March to April. During this festival two types of events are takes place like Chariot festival and float festival. However many other festivals are also celebrated here like Navaratri, Aadi & Aippasi pooram, Sankara Jayanthi and Vashantha utshavam.

Beside all these daily poojas & rituals are also performed like 

Abhisekham	5:30AM, 10:30AM and 4:30PM daily
Santhana kappu	Wednesday & Saturday only
Pournami pooja	On Fullmoon day 9:30PM
Sharshanamam Archana	9:30AM to 10:30AM & 7:00PM to 8:00PM
Ashtotharm Archana	7:00AM to 12:00PM & 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Thanga Ratham	Only on some specific days

Accommodation facilities are available in private hotels around Kamakshi temple in affordable costs.

Official Website :- http://www.kanchikamakshi.com/