Kamakshi Amman Temple, Mangadu – Prayers
There is
a famous six-week worship of the goddess in this Temple. In the first week the
devotee goes to the temple with two lime fruits, coconut, thamboola, banana as
well as camphor and gives to the priest. After Pooja, the priest returns after worship
one lime fruit to the devotee along with Prasadam. Then the devotee should worship the
lime fruit given to him/her for a week. After a week, the devotee should go to
the temple with three lime fruits. Two lime fruit are returned which he/she
should worship for a week.
After
six weeks apart from coconut, banana and other pooja materials, the devotee
should take along with him/her a flower garland, boiled milk and sugar
candy(Kalkandu), Pure edible camphor (Pachai karpooram) and honey. At that
time the priest would not give back any lime fruit. The milk given back should
be distributed to the devotees inside the temple then itself. It is believed that whatever
the devotee desires would be fulfilled.
Devotees
believe that going on the same day every week but due to circumstances
it may not be possible, so going one day weekly should be aimed at. Male
devotees who want to get a job or promotion are advised to go on every Tuesdays.
Girls who want to get married are advised to go either on Tuesdays/Fridays
/Sundays. They are also advised to tie a yellow thread in the designated place outside
the temple. Ladies wanting to have children are advised to go on
Fridays. They are also advised to tie a baby cradle or a cloth with a
stone inside it on the tree outside the temple.
A special neivedhyam – offering
should be prepared at home. One or two liters of milk should be condensed and
sugar candy honey, elaichi powder should be mixed in the milk to enhance its taste.
After offering this to Kamakshi it should be distributed to everyone
irrespective of age. Since Kamakshi is fond of milk it is given to all the
devotees. The Goddess showers her grace abundantly on her devotees. Devotees perform
milk abishek to Artha Meru Chakra and offer vastras. They also follow the
traditional abishek and archanas, arrange feeding etc.