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.
