Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple mangadu — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

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 Ambicas 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. Brahmmi, one of the Saptha Mathas is the driver (Sarathi) of the car. Nava Kannikas the nine virgins are around the car-rath. There is also a Kuthuvilakku perennially burning in the Mahamandap. Left of this is the shrine of Mother...

The story goes that while Lord Shiva and Parvathi resided in Mount Kailash, the Goddess mischievously shut Lord Shiva's eyes, causing the entire universe to plunge into everlasting darkness. Consequently, Lord Shiva instructed her to undertake a period of rigorous spiritual discipline called Thapasya.

Descending to this location, the Goddess engaged in intense meditation amidst the presence of "Panchagni" (five sacred fires), with her left leg positioned on the holy fire and her right leg folded. Clasping a "Jabamala" (prayer beads) in her hand, she focused her meditation on Lord Shiva, who directed her to proceed to Kanchipuram for their wedding ceremony.

Once the goddess departed from the location, the intense heat generated by the divine fire she had created became extremely oppressive and unbearable for all living creatures in the vicinity. During his spiritual journeys, Sage Adi Shankaracharya paid a visit to Mangadu and installed a sacred Sri Ardhameru Chakram at that very spot. This act aimed to pacify the fiery heat while transforming the place into a soothing abode for all beings.

Even to this day, we can witness the presence of the "Chakra" in the innermost sanctum of the temple, where regular rituals and prayers are conducted in reverence to the Chakra. This Chakra is regarded as a Tantric manifestation of the goddess herself, thereby endowing Mangadu with a distinctive significance among followers of the Tantric sect. An abhishekam, a ceremonial bathing ritual, is performed annually on Vijaya Dashami day to honor this sacred Ardhameru Chakram.

The temple practices a six-week worship ritual where devotees can choose any day of the week to begin their worship with a lime fruit. They continue this worship on the same day of the week for six weeks in order to fulfill their wishes. Unmarried girls, as well as men, pray to the goddess to find a suitable partner. Couples who are unable to conceive a child can visit the temple on Fridays and should hang a small cradle in the sacred area of Mangadu Kamakshi on either the first or sixth Friday. Individuals, both men and women, who are unemployed or seeking better job opportunities can receive blessings for a satisfying job by visiting Mangadu Kamakshi Amman temple on Tuesdays. By continuously visiting the temple for six consecutive Tuesdays and worshiping the goddess, they can be blessed with a good job...

Ah, let me regale you with my recent visit to the Mangadu Kamakshi Temple in Chennai. Oh, what memories this temple holds, for I have been making pilgrimages here since the late 70s. Back in those days, the tradition was to bring three lemons as offerings. The priest would take those lemons, place them on the Srichakra yantra, perform the sacred Arthi, and return one lemon to us. We were then instructed to keep the blessed lemon in our pooja room and return the following week with three fresh lemons and the one from the previous week. The ritual continued for five weeks, and it was believed that our wishes would be granted.

However, I must confess that times have changed, and the practice of bringing lemons seems to have faded away. These days, the temple appears to be more focused on generating revenue through various charges for offerings and expedited darshan. While I understand the need to maintain and support the temple, I can't help but feel nostalgic for the simplicity of those lemon-filled days.

Now, my musings on the temple's organization lead me to an amusing thought. Why not take a cue from modern convenience and embrace technology to ensure that everyone can have darshan of the beloved Kamakshi deity in the shortest possible time? Imagine this: opening the south and north walls and installing non-stop moving walkways that carry devotees from wall to wall. It would be a divine express lane to the deity herself, available to all, rich or poor, free of cost. Equality and convenience rolled into one heavenly package!

And why stop there? For special poojas, why not have a grand air-conditioned prayer/meditation hall, akin to a wedding hall fit for the revered Urchaver Kamakshi? The entire temple visit would become an unforgettable experience, a blend of spirituality and modern comfort, leaving devotees with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

In conclusion, the Mangadu Kamakshi Temple holds a special place in the hearts of many, and it's heartwarming to see the devotion and faith that continue to thrive. While changes in practices and temple arrangements are inevitable, a little touch of modernity could further enhance the spiritual experience for all. So, let us cherish the memories of lemons past while embracing the possibilities of a temple visit that's both meaningful and memorable. May Kamakshi's blessings shower...