Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

This is the most important temple in Kanchipuram. Main deity Kanchi Kamakshi Amman will be in Padmasana posture ( a yogic sitting posture) holding Pasa, Angusa, Pushpaba and Sugarcane in her hands. Aadi sankaracharya has stationed before the goddess a Sri Chakra. Sri Chakra which is said to be containing the efficiency of power of Kamakshi Devi. 

Kanchi Kamakshi Tmple is one of the 51 Shakti Peetas across the country. 'Ka' means Sarswathi Devi (God of Education), 'Ma' means Lakshmi Devi (God of Wealth), Akshi means eyes. The name as a whole means , Goddess who possess Sarswathi and Lakshmi as her two eyes. Godd

Kanchi Kamakshi Legends

Kamakshi Devi did penance for Lord Siva by creating a Siva Idol from the Earth. At that moment, Lord Siva to test Kamakshi Devi's penance, he incarnated himself as a Kamba River and raised high in tides to destroy the Idol. Kamakshi devi safe guarded Siva Linga by closing the Idol with her two hands. Goddess performed strict penance by sitting in a needle tip surrounded by 5 fires ( Panchakagni). Impressed by the dedication, Lord Siva appeared before her and married Goddess Kamakshi . 

Once Lord Maha Vishnu cursed Goddess Lakshmi to take no form. It is said that, Goddess Lakshmi did penance here for Vishnu and got relieved from the  curse. 

There is a belief those who offer Kamakshi devi Kumkum to Aarupam Lakshmi will be blessed with good wealth.