Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kunniyur, Thiruvarur
Kamakshi Amman Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to
Goddess Parvathi located at Kunniyur Village in Thiruvarur District of
Tamilnadu. The Temple is believed to be 200 years old. The Swayambu Vigraham is
originally known by the name Seethala Parameswari but later came to be hailed
as Kamakshi. There is a village in east of Mannargudi known as Madhuvana
Kshetra, north of Agasthya River and south of Harichandra River named
Kannipuri. Presently, it is called Kunnipuri / Kunniyur.
The
Temple
The Temple has a Vimanam, Maha Mandapam and a three-tier
Rajagopuram. Goddess is a Swayambumurthy in the temple. Goddess Kamakshi graces
here as "Seethala Parameswari." Kama means Love. Akshi means Eyes.
Kamakshi means the Goddess with Loving Eyes – Graceful Eyes. Other meaning is
Ka means Saraswathi the Goddess of Wisdom. Ma means Mahalakshmi, Goddess of
Wealth. Mother Kamakshi has both as her eyes.
The idol of Goddess Kamakshi is small in size as a Swayambu
200 years ago. Goddess Kamakshi appears in a sitting form with her right leg
folded and the left hanging. What once was a small palm or coconut leaf tent,
has grown into a famous temple today. As the Goddess is Swayambumurthy, with
due respect to her, people passing through the temple walk very softly as Adi Pradikshina
(going round the temple softly step by step) and would never walk roughly with
fast steps.
Any auspicious function in a family begins in this place
with a prayer known as "Pachai Poduthal". It begins with abishek and
Lalitha Sahasranama puja. At night, they bring Goddess on a plank called Padi
Chattam dressed gracefully and begin the function. They will spread rice
measuring six Marakkals, place coconuts and fruits, vegetables, betel leaves
and nuts as Nivedhana (a food offering).
Also a Pujari (priest) as representative of the Guardian
Deity Kathavarayan will bring a wooden club named Sukkumandhadi as that of
Anjaneya. The top of the club would be round and big. Devotees offer fruits,
flowers, neem leaves, green coconut and its yellowish young leaves, cigars,
tobacco etc. This is called "Pallyam Poduthal." Then a hand drum
(Udukku) will be sounded with blessing words – Arul Vakku. Finally, the family
goes to the temple for doing the tattoo ceremony. It is believed that the
function would go smoothly and would help them to decide the future course of
action.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and
4.00 p.m. to 12.00 p.m.
Festivals
The Thee Midhi festival - walking on the fire pit - is
celebrated in the month of Chithirai (April-May). Devotees and Pujaris
(priests) personify the Goddess in a pot of water, carry them and walk on the
fire pit.
Prayers
Devotees pray to Goddess for removal of obstacles in
marriage alliance talks, for child boon and progress in education. Devotees
perform abishek to Goddess and offer Vastras-clothing.
Contact
Kamakshi Amman Temple,
Kunniyur, Mannargudi Taluk,
Thiruvarur District
Mobile: +91 93813 30019
Connectivity
Kamakshi Amman temple is located in the village of
Kunniyur, about 12 kms to the east of Mannargudi in Thiruvarur District, on
Thiruthuraipoondi / Vedaranyam bus route, was in a state of disrepair. The
temple is just half a kilometer from the Chathirathadi bus stop on the Mannargudi-Vikravandi
town bus route. The other way is the route on Mannargudi - Thiruthuraipoondi
bus route. The visitor should get down at the Kammakudi stop and reach the
temple 1 km from Kammakudi. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Mannargudi and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.