Tapas Kaamaakshi - Aadi Kaamakshi - Ardha Meru Sri Chakra Sannidhi - Mangadu
We all know about Kaanchipuram where the divine couple Lord Shiva as Sri Ekaambareswara and Goddess Parvati as Sri Kaamaakshi resides. It has Kaama koti Peetam established by Aadi Shankara and is being treated as 2nd Shakti peeta out of 18 Shakti peetas in India. But there is another place associated with Kaamakshi at Kaanchipuram prior to her arrival at this place.
Mangadu with in the city limits of Chennai is the place where Goddess Parvati did penance to please Shiva and eventually she get married to him at Kaanchipuram and become Kaamaakshi Ekaambareswara. This is the holy place where Mother Kamakshi performed severe penance standing on one leg amidst fire before Her wedding with Lord Ekambareswarar in Kancheepuram. Sri Chakra occupies all importance in the temple. Abishek is offered to the panchaloka – an alloy of five metals – idol of Mother Kamakshi and archana to Sri Chakra.
Legend:
In a playful mood, Mother Parvathi once covered the eyes of Lord Shiva that resulted in the total standstill of the activities of the world. She was advised by Lord to perform penance on earth to get rid of sin and promised her with his Darshan and marry Her at an appropriate time.. She did her penance in this place – Mangadu, Mother undertook penance following rigid rules standing amidst fire. She heard a blessing voice to proceed to Kancheepuram to continue the penance. As Mother’s penance started at Mangadu, this is revered as Adhi Kamakshi Sthala.
While presiding deity adores the sanctum sanctorum in our temples, Artha Meru Sri Chakra occupies the presiding status in this temple. The procession deity is behind this Chakra. All abishek and alankaras are offered to the procession deity Ambika. Mother Kamakshi left for Kancheepuram without dousing the Panchagni fire. This made Mangadu and the surrounding places too hot and dry. Adi Sankaraacharya made the Sri Arthameru Sri Chakra with eight herbals and installed it here restoring the fertility of the place again, according to history. The term Mangadu means "Mango Forests or Mango Grooves" and as the term implies this must have been a thickly wooded Mango groove in times of yore.
Greatness Of Temple:
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 abishek 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 with a 9 yard sari.
The penance undertaken by Mother Kamakshi is of a highest order which none could imagine. She made five Agni Kundas – fire pits. She stood near the central pit keeping Her left toe touching the fire, placed the right leg on the left thigh. She kept Her left hand near Her naval part, held the right hand with a japa mala above Her head. Her beautiful eyes were closed to have the hands of Lord. She undertook this peanace in this holy Mangadu. This scene is beautifully sculptured in the temple.
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 Ambikas can be had simultaneously from the mandap. 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. Mangadu has an added importance. When Emperor Mahabali offered three feet of land to Lord Vamana the dwarf, knowing the design of the Lord, planet Venus-Shukra intervened to stop Mahabali from the offering. He blocked the Jal Patra the water bowl. Lord Vamana used a darba grass to remove the block and thus made Venus blind in one eye. To get back his eyes, Shukra-Venus also performed penance on Lord Shiva in this place when Kamakshi also was on a penance. Lord Shiva appeared before Shukra the devotee first and granted his eye back. Priority was to a devotee.
When Lord Shiva came to this place to acknowledge the penance of Mother, Lord Vishnu too came here with gifts to His sister the bride. When Lord Shiva and Mother Kamakshi left for Kancheepuram, Lord Vishnu too was to accompany them. But Maharshi Markandeya begged Perumal to stay in the place. Obliging the Rishi, Perumal stayed here as Vaikunta Perumal with His discus and a ring in a finger showing his coming with gifts for His Sister. He is praised as Seer Perumal – Gift Perumal.
A Homa-Nava Kalasa Homa with nine brass pots-Kalasas is conducted in the temple on full moon days. Nine forms of Shakti are personified in these Kalasas. Pushpanjali is offered to Sri Chakra. Niraimani Darshan is another event celebrated in the temple on the Purattasi full moon day in September-October. Artha Mandap, Thapas Mandap and the front Mandap are decorated with sweets, fruits, vegetables and grains showing all prosperity. Devotees believe that this Niraimani Darshan would bring all prosperity to the family.
Three Mothers in the temple bless and please the devotees in their daily procession in a golden car in evenings daily. Braahmi, one of the Saptha Mathas is the driver (Saarathi) of the car. Nava Kannikas the nine virgins are around the car-rath. There is also a Kuthuvilakku (Akhand Jyoti) perennially burning in the Mahamandap. Left of this is the shrine of Mother Tapas Kamakshi.
Prayers:
A six week worship is in practice in the temple. Devotees choose any day in a week to begin the worship with lime fruit and continue the same for six weeks on the same day of the week to realize their wish. Unmarried girls pray to Mother with a yellow thread in the belief that they too will get a suitable match as Mother performed penance here and got wedded to Lord in Kancheepuram. This prayer applies to men also.
Those seeking child boon pray to Mother with a cradle so that they would have to arrange a cradle in their houses too for the child blessed by Mother Kamakshi. Many are experiencing the fruits of the six week worship. People also pray for promotions in job and for relief from diseases.
Other Temples:
The region was a forest of Mango trees once, hence named Mangadu. Maa in Tamil means Mango. A little away from Mangadu is the temple of Lord Velleeswarar. Velli is the name of planet Venus-Shukra. This temple is of Shukra importance. Mother Kamakshi is the important deity in Mangadu and Kancheepuram. Similarly, Velleeswarar is the main deity in this temple. Only the feet of Mother are installed here. Lord Ganapathi is holding paddy stalks and mango in His hands. These are offered as nivedhana to Lord Vinayaka in the faith that farm yields would be in plenty. Another Vinayaka in the Goshta appears with an umbrella and a mango.
After completion of the visit to the Kamakshi Temple, people proceed to the Vaikunta Perumal Shrine or the Shrine of Lord Vishnu which is about 500 meters away. Here Lord Vishnu can be seen in a seated posture along with his 2 consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi holding a ring in his palm that he has brought for the marriage of his sister Kaamaakshi. This is a small temple with separate shrines for Goddess Lakshmi, Sri Andal and Lord Hanuman.
We all know about Kaanchipuram where the divine couple Lord Shiva as Sri Ekaambareswara and Goddess Parvati as Sri Kaamaakshi resides. It has Kaama koti Peetam established by Aadi Shankara and is being treated as 2nd Shakti peeta out of 18 Shakti peetas in India. But there is another place associated with Kaamakshi at Kaanchipuram prior to her arrival at this place.
Mangadu with in the city limits of Chennai is the place where Goddess Parvati did penance to please Shiva and eventually she get married to him at Kaanchipuram and become Kaamaakshi Ekaambareswara. This is the holy place where Mother Kamakshi performed severe penance standing on one leg amidst fire before Her wedding with Lord Ekambareswarar in Kancheepuram. Sri Chakra occupies all importance in the temple. Abishek is offered to the panchaloka – an alloy of five metals – idol of Mother Kamakshi and archana to Sri Chakra.
Legend:
In a playful mood, Mother Parvathi once covered the eyes of Lord Shiva that resulted in the total standstill of the activities of the world. She was advised by Lord to perform penance on earth to get rid of sin and promised her with his Darshan and marry Her at an appropriate time.. She did her penance in this place – Mangadu, Mother undertook penance following rigid rules standing amidst fire. She heard a blessing voice to proceed to Kancheepuram to continue the penance. As Mother’s penance started at Mangadu, this is revered as Adhi Kamakshi Sthala.
While presiding deity adores the sanctum sanctorum in our temples, Artha Meru Sri Chakra occupies the presiding status in this temple. The procession deity is behind this Chakra. All abishek and alankaras are offered to the procession deity Ambika. Mother Kamakshi left for Kancheepuram without dousing the Panchagni fire. This made Mangadu and the surrounding places too hot and dry. Adi Sankaraacharya made the Sri Arthameru Sri Chakra with eight herbals and installed it here restoring the fertility of the place again, according to history. The term Mangadu means "Mango Forests or Mango Grooves" and as the term implies this must have been a thickly wooded Mango groove in times of yore.
Greatness Of Temple:
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 abishek 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 with a 9 yard sari.
The penance undertaken by Mother Kamakshi is of a highest order which none could imagine. She made five Agni Kundas – fire pits. She stood near the central pit keeping Her left toe touching the fire, placed the right leg on the left thigh. She kept Her left hand near Her naval part, held the right hand with a japa mala above Her head. Her beautiful eyes were closed to have the hands of Lord. She undertook this peanace in this holy Mangadu. This scene is beautifully sculptured in the temple.
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 Ambikas can be had simultaneously from the mandap. 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. Mangadu has an added importance. When Emperor Mahabali offered three feet of land to Lord Vamana the dwarf, knowing the design of the Lord, planet Venus-Shukra intervened to stop Mahabali from the offering. He blocked the Jal Patra the water bowl. Lord Vamana used a darba grass to remove the block and thus made Venus blind in one eye. To get back his eyes, Shukra-Venus also performed penance on Lord Shiva in this place when Kamakshi also was on a penance. Lord Shiva appeared before Shukra the devotee first and granted his eye back. Priority was to a devotee.
When Lord Shiva came to this place to acknowledge the penance of Mother, Lord Vishnu too came here with gifts to His sister the bride. When Lord Shiva and Mother Kamakshi left for Kancheepuram, Lord Vishnu too was to accompany them. But Maharshi Markandeya begged Perumal to stay in the place. Obliging the Rishi, Perumal stayed here as Vaikunta Perumal with His discus and a ring in a finger showing his coming with gifts for His Sister. He is praised as Seer Perumal – Gift Perumal.
A Homa-Nava Kalasa Homa with nine brass pots-Kalasas is conducted in the temple on full moon days. Nine forms of Shakti are personified in these Kalasas. Pushpanjali is offered to Sri Chakra. Niraimani Darshan is another event celebrated in the temple on the Purattasi full moon day in September-October. Artha Mandap, Thapas Mandap and the front Mandap are decorated with sweets, fruits, vegetables and grains showing all prosperity. Devotees believe that this Niraimani Darshan would bring all prosperity to the family.
Three Mothers in the temple bless and please the devotees in their daily procession in a golden car in evenings daily. Braahmi, one of the Saptha Mathas is the driver (Saarathi) of the car. Nava Kannikas the nine virgins are around the car-rath. There is also a Kuthuvilakku (Akhand Jyoti) perennially burning in the Mahamandap. Left of this is the shrine of Mother Tapas Kamakshi.
Prayers:
A six week worship is in practice in the temple. Devotees choose any day in a week to begin the worship with lime fruit and continue the same for six weeks on the same day of the week to realize their wish. Unmarried girls pray to Mother with a yellow thread in the belief that they too will get a suitable match as Mother performed penance here and got wedded to Lord in Kancheepuram. This prayer applies to men also.
Those seeking child boon pray to Mother with a cradle so that they would have to arrange a cradle in their houses too for the child blessed by Mother Kamakshi. Many are experiencing the fruits of the six week worship. People also pray for promotions in job and for relief from diseases.
Other Temples:
The region was a forest of Mango trees once, hence named Mangadu. Maa in Tamil means Mango. A little away from Mangadu is the temple of Lord Velleeswarar. Velli is the name of planet Venus-Shukra. This temple is of Shukra importance. Mother Kamakshi is the important deity in Mangadu and Kancheepuram. Similarly, Velleeswarar is the main deity in this temple. Only the feet of Mother are installed here. Lord Ganapathi is holding paddy stalks and mango in His hands. These are offered as nivedhana to Lord Vinayaka in the faith that farm yields would be in plenty. Another Vinayaka in the Goshta appears with an umbrella and a mango.
After completion of the visit to the Kamakshi Temple, people proceed to the Vaikunta Perumal Shrine or the Shrine of Lord Vishnu which is about 500 meters away. Here Lord Vishnu can be seen in a seated posture along with his 2 consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi holding a ring in his palm that he has brought for the marriage of his sister Kaamaakshi. This is a small temple with separate shrines for Goddess Lakshmi, Sri Andal and Lord Hanuman.
Very valuable information, written with good clarity.
ReplyDelete