Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Mundaka Kanni Amman Temple, Mylapore – The Temple

Mundaka Kanni Amman Temple, Mylapore – The Temple
This is an east facing temple with a small 3 tiered gopuram at the entrance. Presiding Deity is called as Mundaka Kanni Amman. The Ambal is Swayambu and appear with twin arms and donned with serpent crown. There is a small Vimanam constructed above her, in which Dwara Palakis (female doorkeepers) are depicted.  During the abishekam performed from morning 6.00 to 11.30 we can worship the Swayambu form of the Amman. A fee of Rs.150/- is collected from the devotees to participate in the abishekam function.



The significant feature is of the trident, the primary weapon of Devi, seen at the center of the Swayambu form. Therefore, till date the main shine is having the thatched roof and housing upkeeping the old style never renovated as modern. Since the Deity is both the form and formless (having just the head only) – like a lotus – the Deity bears the name “Mundakam” which means lotus in Tamil.).


The traditional belief is that Mundaka Kanni Amman holds the power of the Trinity – Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. The Banyan tree is behind Ambal’s sanctum. Within the tree is the snake-cove and beside the tree is the sanctum of Naaga Devathai. Those with serpent-curse, worship the Naaga Devathai by offering milk, rose-water, turmeric abishekam and by lighting ghee-lamp. 


On the left of the Prime sanctum, there is shrine for the procession Ambal seated on the throne, flanked in both sides with Simha Vahanam – lion carriers. Sapta Kannikas (the seven virgins) Brahmi, Maheswari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Kaumari, Indirani and Chamundi in the sculpture forms can be seen in front of Amman Sanctum. Sapta Kannikas appearing in the Linga form can be found in the prakaram. Jamadagni Maharishi and his son Parasurama are seen as security gods on both their sides.


Lord Vinayaka under the pipal tree can be found in front of the Temple. Those with serpent-curse install Nagar (serpent) images under this tree. There are shrines for Kashi Vishwanathar, Vishalakshi, Dakshinamurthy, Mariamman, Ganesha, Gnana Jyoti Narthana Vinayagar, Murugan, Aiyappan, Veera Anjaneya, Ramalingaswami, Navadevatha (a shrine of snake god) in the temple.