Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram – Modern Kamakshi
Amman Temple
The
Siruthondar Puranam of Sekkilar Peruman, written during this time, is aware of
both the temples and mentions the original temple as the Yoga Peeta and the
present Kamakshi Devi temple as Bhoga Peetam. The reference to the present
Kamakshi Devi as Aram Purappaval (bestower of boons) by Sekkilar Peruman is
noteworthy, as the present name of the street in which this new temple is
located in Kanchipuram is called Arapanak Ara Theru.
The
present Kamakshi temple too, has a Sri Chakra which was established during the
16th Century by Nrusimhadvari, of the famous dathamanji family. There is a
stone inscription inside the new temple, near this Sri Chakra, which states
this fact. It is noteworthy that Arunagirinathar a 15th Century Tamil Saint
sings in praise of the Goddess as Devi of dark emerald complexion and the
mother of Muruga of Kumarakottam.
The
Original Kamakshi Devi temple i.e. Adi Peeteswari Kamakshi Devi Temple is just adjacent
to the Kumarakottam. Arunagirinathar mentions the Sri Yantra in the Kamakshi
Devi temple, which can apply, during the 15th century, only to the original Adi
Peeteswari Kamakshi Devi, which contained the Sri Chakra installed by Adi
Shankara. Arunagirinathar does not make any reference to the new temple.
Also
noteworthy is the fact that this new temple's legend considers the Bangaru
Kamakshi at Thanjavur as Dharmadevi. This is the metallic counterpart of the
stone image of Dharmadevi, which is at present at Thiruparuthikunram (Jina
Kanchi) to where it was removed from this present Kamakshi (Tara Devi) temple
after the conversion of the Jain Tara Devi temple into Hindu Sakta tradition
has become stronger. There is a stone inscription at the Jina Kanchi temple which
explains this fact. There are strong evidences that Dharadevi was worshipped in
the present day main shrine.
