Sri
Kamakshi Amman Temple - Mangadu
By
Elango Kadhirvel
Location
Ø This Temple is located in Mangadu
(meaning Mango Grove/Forest), a Chennai Suburb in Tamil Nadu
Ø This Temple is about 16
kilometers from the Chennai International/Domestic Airport and about 22
kilometers from Chennai Central Railway Station
Presiding
Deities
Ø Goddess Parvathi as Sri Kamakshi
Ø Lord Shiva as Sri Velleeswarar at
The Sri Velleeswarar temple (little away from the Mangadu Temple)
Ø Lord Vishnu as Seer Perumal
History
Ø Adhi Kamakshi Sthala
o
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
o
The Lord cursed Her to be born on earth
o
SHE was advised to perform penance in this place – Mangadu and was
promised Darshan and marriage with Lord Shiva at an appropriate time
o
Mother undertook penance following rigid rules standing amidst fire
o
SHE heard a blessing voice to proceed to Kancheepuram to continue the
penance
o
As Mother’s penance started at Mangadu, this is revered as Adhi Kamakshi
Sthala
Ø Tapas Kamakshi-Amman - This is
the holy place where Mother Kamakshi performed severe penance standing on one
leg amidst fire before Her wedding with Lord Ekambareswarar (Shiva) in
Kancheepuram
o
Goddess performed penance resting the left leg on the Fire and folding
the right leg
o
HER left hand is raised above HER head, holding a japamala
o
This can be seen in the Temple as Tapas Kamakshi-Amman
Ø SRI ARDHAMERU SRI CHAKRA
o
When Goddess Left the place without extinguishing the fire the whole area
suffered from the unbearable heat for a long time
o
Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya came here and installed SRI ARDHAMERU
CHAKRA and extinguished the fire
o
The SRI CHAKRA in Mangadu is very rare
o
The Ardhameru Sri Chakra is the chief divinity in this temple
§
The Ardhameru Sri Chakra has 43 Trikonas-triangles
§
This is made of eight herbals called Astagandham
§
Hence no abisheka is offered the Chakra
o
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 seat
Ø Seer(Gift) Perumal
o
When Lord Shiva came to this place to acknowledge the penance of Mother,
Lord Vishnu too came here with gifts to His Sister (Kamakshi, The Bride)
o
When Lord Shiva and Mother Kamakshi left for Kancheepuram, Lord Vishnu
too was to accompany them
o
But Maharshi Markandeya begged Lord Vishnu to stay in the place
o
Obliging the Rishi, Lord Vishnu stayed here as Vaikunta Perumal with His
Discus and a ring in a finger showing His coming with gifts for His Sister
o
HE is revered as Seer Perumal – Gift Perumal
Legend
Ø Lord Shukra/Venus Vision restored
o
When Emperor Mahabali offered three feet of land to Lord Vaamana -
knowing the design of the Lord, planet Venus-Shukra intervened to stop Mahabali
from the offering
o
Planet Shukra blocked the Jal Patra the water bowl
o
Lord Vaamana used a darba grass to remove the block and thus made Venus
blind in one eye
o
To get back his eyes, Shukra-Venus also performed penance on Lord Shiva
in this place when Kamakshi also was on a penance
o
Lord Shiva appeared before Shukra the devotee first and granted his eye
back
o
Hence Lord Shiva is known as Sri Velleeswarar at The Sri Velleeswarar
temple (little away from the Mangadu Temple)
§
Velli is the name of planet Venus-Shukra
§
As in the Kanjanur Shukrapureeswarar temple, this temple is of
Shukra/Planet Venus importance
Quotes/Hymns
– ‘Aananda-Lahari’ – Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya (It is believed that this hymn
starting ‘Bhavaani-stothum-thwaam
prabhavathi-chathur-birna-vadanaihi …’was composed by The Savant at this Temple)
स्फुरन्नानारत्नस्फटिकमयभित्तिप्रतिफल
त्त्वदाकारं चञ्चच्छशधरकलासौधशिखरम् ।
मुकुन्दब्रह्मेन्द्रप्रभृतिपरिवारं
विजयते
तवागारं रम्यं त्रिभुवनमहाराजगृहिणि ॥
Transliterated
Text
Sphuran-naanaa-rathna-sphatika-maya-biththi-prathiphala
Thwadaa-kaaram
chan-chath
sasha-dhara-kalaa-saugha-shikharam
Mukunda-brahmendra-prabhruthi-parivaaram
vijayathe
Thavaa-gaaram ramyam
thribhuvana-mahaaraaja-gruhini
Translation
Oh Great
Goddess, Your Abode is shining and resplendent with the different precious
stones fixed to the tower domes almost reaching the moon
In such
a beautiful abode surrounded by Sri Brahma, Sri Vishnu, Sri Indra and other
Devas (extolling your greatness) - YOU shine as the empress of the three Worlds
(being the consort of the Supreme Lord of the three Worlds, Sri Parameshwara)
-
The incomparable beauty and splendour of Her abode, the greatness of
Other Devotees who throng around Her indicate the Supremacy of the Goddess
Reference
http://www.mangadukamakshi.tnhrce.in/ (Official Temple Site)
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