Kamakshi Amman Temple, Mangadu – The Temple
The
temple sports the Chola style of Architecture and construction. The Raja
Gopuram was a recent addition to the Temple. The Raja Gopuram or the Main
entrance faces South and is 7 tiered with great sculptures on it, But the east
entrance is still used by many devotees as there is a market along the road
leading to the east gate. People buy the flowers, Lemons and other pooja items
as they walk through the market into the Temple.
There is
a Ganapati Shrine located to the left of the main entrance. The Sanctum houses Ardha
Meru Maha Yantra and an idol of Goddess Kamakshi. The Artha Meru Chakra in the
temple was installed by Acharya Sankara having 43 Trikonas – triangles. This
is made of eight herbals called Astagandham. Hence no abishekam is offered
the Chakra.
The
pujas for the chakra is performed with sandal and other cosmetic powders and
archana with kumkum. On the Vijayadasami day, last day of Navarathri, this
Chakra is covered with gold, while on other days, it is with a silver cover. Sri
Chakra occupies great importance in the temple. This Artha Meru Sri Chakra
is revered as Raja (Royal status) Yantra.
The base
is of Koorma (tortoise) design. There are three steps above the base. It is
further built with 16 Lotus petals and 8 petals of Lotus still above. The
Sri Chakra is drawn on this peeta-seat. No Sri Chakra is as big as the one
in Mangadu. It is dressed in a 9-yard saree. This Chakra is considered to be a
Tantric form of the Goddess herself and hence Mangadu also finds a unique place
amongst worshippers of the Tantric sect as well.
There is
also a Kuthuvilakku perennially burning in the Mahamandapam. Left of this
is the shrine of Mother Thapas Kamakshi. This was installed at the behest of Adi
Shankaracharya. Goddess performed penance on the Panchagni, resting the left
leg on the Panchagni, folding the right leg. Her left hand is raised above her
head, holding a Japamala. This can be seen in this Mangadu Temple as Tapas
Kamakshi Amman.
Devotees
have four Ambikas for darshan in the temple. 1) As Sri Chakra, 2) Adhi Kamakshi
made of Panchaloka metals, 3) Kamakshi doing penance amidst the five Agni
Kundas and 4) the small Lamp burning near Adi Kamakshi revered as Ambika herself. The
darshan of all Ambicas can be had simultaneously from the mandapam. Ambika
in the sanctum sanctorum is holding a parrot in the right hand and the crescent
moon on the head.
It is
noteworthy that the tradition of felicitating a person for his/her winning an
exam with distinction or any tough competition with the success of standing on
a single leg began from the penance posture of Mother Kamakshi. The condition
of penance was not made easy or relaxed even for the consort of Lord. There is
also a shrine for Lord Surya in the prakaram. Shrine of Sapta Matrikas is
situated right behind in the main outer courtyard. There is also a golden
chariot which is drawn round the temple every day between 6.30 Pm and 7.30 PM.
