Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Arulmigu Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the most revered temples of the Divine Mother in India. Kanchipuram itself is one of the Sapta Puri – the seven holiest cities of India – and is famous as a city of a thousand temples. At its spiritual heart is Sri Kamakshi, the presiding Goddess of the whole city, worshipped as the Supreme Mother, Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari.
The Goddess – Sri Kamakshi
The Goddess is seen in a rare and serene form: seated in padmasana, the lotus posture of yoga, in deep meditation. In her four hands she holds the sugarcane bow, the five flower-arrows, the noose and the goad – the symbols of Lalitha Tripura Sundari. Her name Kama-akshi is understood as "the one whose eyes grant all wishes" – she is the Mother of love, grace and fulfilment.
A tradition of Kanchipuram holds that Sri Kamakshi is the one presiding Goddess of the city, and that is why the other great Shiva temples of Kanchipuram do not have separate shrines for the Goddess. The temple is also revered as one of the Shakti Peethas.
Adi Shankaracharya and the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
The temple is deeply associated with Adi Shankaracharya. According to tradition, the Goddess once had a fierce form, and Adi Shankaracharya installed the Sri Chakra before her to bring forth her gentle, compassionate aspect – the Sri Chakra is worshipped in front of the Goddess to this day. Kanchipuram is also the seat of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, the monastery associated with Adi Shankaracharya's tradition, and the Acharyas of the Peetham have long been devoted to Sri Kamakshi.
Sthala Puranam (Legend)
According to the legend, Goddess Parvati came to Kanchipuram to perform penance to win Lord Shiva's grace. She made a Shiva Lingam of sand under a mango tree on the banks of the Kampa river and worshipped it with great devotion. To test her, Shiva sent a flood, and she embraced the Lingam to protect it. Pleased with her devotion, Shiva appeared and married her. The Lingam she worshipped is honoured in the nearby Ekambareswarar temple, and the Goddess remained at Kanchipuram as Sri Kamakshi.
Festivals
- Brahmotsavam (Masi, February–March): the temple's grand annual festival, with processions of the Goddess on different vahanams and a chariot festival.
- Navaratri (September–October): nine days of special alankarams and worship of the Goddess.
- Fridays of Aadi and Thai (July–August, January–February): especially auspicious days for the Goddess, drawing large crowds.
- Pournami (full moon): special pujas are performed on full-moon days.
Temple Timings
- The temple is generally open in the morning and again in the evening, with a break in the afternoon.
- Timings change on Fridays and festival days. Please check locally before your visit.
How to Reach
By Road: Kanchipuram is about 75 km from Chennai. TNSTC and private buses run very frequently from Chennai and other cities, and the temple is close to the town centre.
By Train: Kanchipuram railway station is a short distance from the temple; Chengalpattu and Arakkonam are nearby junctions.
By Air: the nearest airport is Chennai International Airport (MAA), about 65 km away.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional, modest dress is expected – dhoti for men, and saree or churidar for women.
- Combine your visit: Kanchipuram has many great temples close together, so plan a full day.
- Shopping: Kanchipuram is world-famous for its silk sarees.
- Nearby places: Ekambareswarar Temple (the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam of the earth element), Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, and – another of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, of the fire element – the Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai.
