Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India, is also called the city of thousand temples. Even today, there are about 250 temples found in and around Kanchipuram. Kamakshi Amman temple is the most popular one out of all those temples. As it would be too lengthy to cover all the information of Kamakshi Amman temple in one article, I am splitting it into two articles. This article focuses only on the legend connected to the holy shrine.
Kamakshi Amman temple, located about 0.5 km from Kanchipuram bus stand and Kanchipuram railway station, is the center of attraction for the city. Whoever arrives at Kanchipuram on pilgrimage would not generally miss visiting this holy temple. In the South, she is considered one of three important forms of Mother Goddess. The other two are Madurai Meenakshi and Kasi Vishalakshi.
In ancient times, similar to many other Shakti temples of India, it is believed that animal sacrifices were made here. Adi Shankara, the great reformer of Sanatana Dharma, altered that practice by installing Sri Chakra, and making the Goddess represent peace. Another version of the story is that sage Durvasa pacified Kamakshi. We can find the image of sage Durvasa and a separate shrine for Adi Shankara in this temple.
The name "Kamakshi" refers to the Goddess who resides in Kanchipuram with Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi as her both eyes. "Ka" means Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Education), "Ma" means Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth), "Akshi" means eye.
As per a legend, Parvatiplayfully closed his eyes of Shiva from behind. Immediately the entire universe was covered in darkness. The Goddess got a curse and had to be born on earth as Kamakshi.
Kamakshi made a Shiva Linga with sand and installed the same under a holy mango tree. She sat there and practiced severe penance for many years. Her goal was to marry Shiva.
Wanting to play with Kamakshi, Shiva took the form of Kamba river. The tidal river ran towards Linga made of sand. She did not want to lose her God in the tides. Hence, she grasped the icon closely with her two hands and prevented it from getting eroded.
Later, she performed penance by sitting on a needle tip surrounded by five holy fires called Panchagni. Thoroughly satisfied with her attitude, Shive appeared there and agreed to marry her.
Her fury was felt well beyond the Champaka grove affecting the villagers outside when she was performing penance. The saint Durvasa requested her to become peaceful.
According to another legend, an Asura named Bhandakasura was troubling the Devas. Devas disguised themselves as parrots. They started living in the Champaka tree in Kanchi and pleaded with Kamakshi to protect them. As per their request, she slew down the Asura and helped them regain their glory.
Once, Vishnu had cursed Lakshmi to lose her form. With her deformation, she was called Arupa Lakshmi. She came to the holy site and with the blessing of Kamakshi, she regained her original form.
The Santana Stambha inside the Gayatri Mandapa of this temple is associated with king Dashrath, the father of Lord Ram. He came to this temple and prayed to the Goddess for parenthood.
In the olden days, a king named Akasha Bhoopati was childless. He visited this site and prayed to Kamakshi. She let her beloved son Ganesha to incarnate as the son of Akasha Bhoopati. He was later known as Thundir Maharaja. There is an image representing him in the temple.
When Sati, the consort of Shiva, sacrificed her life, her body was split and the pieces fell in 51 places which became Shakti peethamss. In Kanchipuram, it is believed that her skeleton fell. Other versions say that the back part or ornament covering the stomach (ottiyanam in Tamil) fell her. Hence, it is one of 51 Shakti Peethams.
There is an empty shrine of Swarna Kamakshi (golden Kamakshi). The icon was shifted to Thanjavur many years ago, due to fear of Muslim invasion. She is permanently enshrined in Thanjavur temple and is known as Bangaru Kamakshi.
I will see you all in my next post on the temple layout and structure. Till then...
Happy travelling.
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