Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple

Overview

The Kamakshi Amman Temple is located in Mangadu, a suburb of Chennai, India. 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.

About 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.

As we enter the Temple, we find the Ganapati Shrine to the left of the main entrance. We pay our respects and as we walk further enter the Main Hall of the Temple. We straight proceed to the Sanctum where we can see the " Ardha Meru Maha Yantra " and an idol of Goddess Kamakshi in the Main Shrine. The Ardhameru Sri Chakram is the chief divinity in this temple. Only Kumkuma archana is performed and no abhishekam is done for Sri Chakram, as it is made up of herbs.

After this we proceed to walk back, we came across the Shrine of 'Tapas Kamakshi" - This was installed at the behest of Kanchi Paramacharya. We can also see the various other deities like Lord Surya etc, in the outer courtyard. As we circumbulate the Temple, we can see Sapta Matrikas installed right behind in the Main outer courtyard and walk through to the Dwajastambha installed in the Eastern side. This completes the visit to the Temple. People come here to pray for Marriage, child birth etc.

Sri Vaigunda Perumal Temple

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 Kamakshi. This is a small temple with separate shrines for Goddess Lakshmi, Sri Andal and Lord Hanuman.

Sri Velleswarar Temple

This is a very ancient temple situated near to Sri Kamakshiamman Temple. Lord Muruga with Valli and Theyvayanai are sculptured in a single stone and Sri Vinayaga with mango are the landmarks on this temple.

Legend and Stories

Mangadu is known for the temple of 'Tapas Kamakshi" or the Kamakshi( The Goddess) performing penance. This is the place where the goddess performed her penance to marry and re-unite with Lord Shiva. All 32 types of Dharmic rituals were performed here by the goddess.

The mythology is that when Lord Shiva and Parvati where in Mount Kailash the Goddess playfully closed the eyes of the Lord Shiva and as a result the whole universe fell into eternal darkness. So the Lord ordained her to perform Tapasya.

The Goddess came down to this place and performed penance amidst "Panchagni" resting her left leg on the sacred fire and folding her right leg. She holds a "Japamala" or rosary in her hand as she meditated on Lord Shiva who asked her to come to Kanchipuram for marriage.

After the goddess left the place, the heat of the fire that she had created caused great discomfort and became unbearable for all living beings there. The Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have visited Mangadu and installed a Sri Ardhameru Chakram at this place. This was done to calm down the heat of the fire created by the Goddess and at the same time make it into a place that is soothing for all living beings.

We can even today see the 'Chakra" in the sanctum sanctorium of the temple and poojas are performed regularly to this Chakra. 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.

Pooja Timings

Pooja Timings	Sunday, Tuesday and Friday	Other Days
Ushakkalam	5 AM	6 AM
Kalasanthi	9 AM	9 AM
Uchikalam	1 PM	1 PM
Sayarakshai	6 PM	6 PM
Ardhajamam	10 PM	9.30 PM

Abhishegam

Abhishegam will be performed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and Saturdays between 11 AM to 1 PM.

Navakalasa Homam and Pushpanjali

This Special Homam and Abhishegam will be performed on all the Full moon day ( Powrnami).

Golden Chariot

Golden Chariot is drawn every day between 6.30 - 7.30 PM.

Festivals

The temple celebrates many festivals as 10 day Chithirai festival in April-May with a sea of devotees seeking the grace of Mother Kamakshi. Other festivals include Tamil and English New Year days, Pongal falling almost on January 14, Navarathri in September-October, Masi Magam and Shivrathri in February-March. Devotee crowd is ever huge on every festival day.

Significance

Devotees should carry 2 lemons while visiting the temples and they should come to this temple for consecutive six weeks. After the pooja, One of the lemons will be returned to the devotee and they should keep that in their pooja room and worship every day. The mythological belief is Kamatchi Amman is arriving to our homes in the form of lemon and helping our dreams come true.

Tuesday, Friday and Sundays are auspicious days for Kamatchi Amman. If unmarried devotees visit this temple and worship to the goddess they will get married soon. Married couple who has difficulties in having children if they worship here soon they will get pregnant is the belief. Devotees once their wishes are fulfilled visit the temple and offer a saree to Amman.

How To Reach

Air

The nearest airport is at Chennai.

Rail

Chennai - well connected from the cities/towns all over India. The nearest major railway stations are Tambaram railway station and Chennai Egmore railway station.

Road

Mangadu 15 km from Chennai Koyambedu is well linked with bus facilities. It is 22 km from Tambaram.

BUS NUMBER	ROUTE
15F,70V,M12B Ext	Koyambedu Market To Mangadu
576 AC Vehicle	TNagar To Mangadu
M53S	Koyambedu To Mangadu
66,M66,266 Dlx,566A Dlx	Tambaram To Mangadu
154,54M,54P	Guindy R.S To Mangadu

Temple Address

Arulmigu Kamakshi Amman Temple,
Mangadu, Chennai - 600 122.