Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram – Festivals
Every
day is a day of festivity at Kamakshi Amman Temple. Four worship services are
offered each day.
Golden Chariot Procession:
The
Golden Chariot is taken in a procession every night at 7.30 PM and on Fridays,
Full Moon and New Moon Days and the first day of every Tamil month.
Sankara Jayanthi (April – May):
Whenever
a festival is celebrated in this temple, the first honors are paid to Adi
Sankara. The most important festival of the Kamakshi Amman Temple is the
Sankara Jayanthi festival celebrated in the month of Chithrai. On this occasion
Soundarya Lahari is chanted on all the ten days of the festival in front of
Kamakshi Amman.
Spring Festival (May – June):
Vasanta
Utsavam (Spring Festival) in Vaikasi (May-June) is a special celebration in the
temple.
Brahmotsavam, Chariot and Float Festivals (February –
March):
The
annual Brahmotsavam Festival occurs in Masi (February-March) and the Ther
(chariot) Festival and Theppam (float festival) are highlights of the
celebrations.
Other Festivals:
Other
important festivals include Navarathri (September-October), Aadi (July-August)
and Aippasi Pooram (October-November when the star Pooram reigns over the skies).
Friday Worship:
All
Fridays are considered sacred and auspicious. Fridays in Aadi (July-August) and
Thai (January-February) are very special and celebrated to honor Suhasinis
(women whose husbands are alive).