Visiting Kamakshi Amman Temple Kanchipuram - a useful travel guide
About seven years ago, the temple complex underwent renovations to maintain its traditional characteristics and continues to draw lakhs of devotees with its aura.
Goddess Kamakshi is the main deity in this temple and is
also considered the presiding deity for Kanchipuram. I came across an
interesting bit of information- the reverence for the Goddess is such that any
temple’s procession is routed in a manner that it goes around the Kamakshi
Amman temple. Goddess Kamakshi’s shrine is also located to ensure a
devotee’s back is never shown to the deity. A detailed description of Goddess
Kamakshi with the sugarcane bow and divine chakras is to be found on many
spiritual portals as well as the official website.
The 5-acre temple complex has multiple Gopurams (tiered towers), Mandapams (halls which host different festivals), and Sannidhis (sacred places of worship).
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| Gopuram |
There is also the Pushkarini (a bathing well with steps), which is the sacred temple tank. An interesting note- the Neerazhi Mantapam (a resting place surrounded by water) of any temple tank is where the temple's deity is housed during the Float Festival and from where the deity showers blessings upon the devotees.
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| The Sacred Tank |
The inner gold Gopuram towers above the shrine of Goddess Kamakshi, and there are three other Gopurams which face in various directions. Other shrines in the complex are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Soundarya Lakshmi, Goddess Varahi Devi, Ardhanareshwarar (a form of Lord Shiva), and Kalvar Perumal (Lord Vishnu). On the northeast side of the main shrine of the deity is a separate shrine for the revered Adi Sankaracharya.
Kamakshi Amman Temple Kanchipuram Puja Timings
The temple opens at 5.30 a.m., at which time the Goh
Pooja and the Viswarupa Darshanam are conducted, followed by the Kala
Sandhi Abhishekam at 7.30 a.m.
Many devotees come in the late evening hours to attend the Arthajama
Pooja (night puja) which is scheduled from 7.30 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. The Palliarai
Pooja is conducted at 8.30 p.m. You can check the schedule of all the pujas on
the official website.
The traditional Golden Chariot is pulled on specific days,
including every Friday, with the idols of Goddess Kamakshi, and her two other
forms, namely, Goddess Sridevi, and Goddess Budevi taken out in a procession.
Useful Tips for Visitors
Entrance: Not all four entrances are open to visitors;
generally only two are kept open.
Parking: Private vehicles can be parked in the dedicated
space for them on payment of a fee.
Entry Fee: There is no fee to enter the temple complex. For
certain types of seva, there are charges as follows-
1. Kumkum Archana: Re. 1/- for one ticket.
2. Abhishekam (pouring liquid on the deity): Rs. 1000/-
3. Sahasranama Archana (offering flowers to the deity): Rs. 150/-
4. Sandana Kappu (offering sandal paste to the deity): Rs.
6000/-
5. Navavarna Pooja (I think this one combines various pujas): Rs. 2000/-
6. Golden Chariot: Rs. 2500/-
Important: Please respect the traditions and dress
appropriately. Do not take photographs in the innermost sanctums of the
deities.
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