Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram

Goddess Shakthi is highly revered in 3 places in India Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi & Kasi Visalakshi and this is the temple mentioned first. The legend of the temple is the same as that of Ekambaranathar temple. It is the same Parvati, who had her seat here after finishing the penance for lord Shiva. Another legend explains that one demon named ‘Banasura’ did severe penance towards lord Brahma and got several boons. He became very powerful and started using his might against Devas (Divine souls). Devas urged lord Shiva to help them. As lord Shiva knows only that Parvati has the power to kill him, he advised them to go to Kanchipuram through a tunnel, which is the safest place to do prayers. As advised, Devas came to Kanchipuram and disguised themselves as parrots. With his power, Banasura recognized and continued to torture them. Coming to know all these things, Parvati came out from this place ferociously and killed Banasura.

After performing rituals, Devas pleased Parvati to stay in the same place to grace the devotees. But, it was the same ferocious manner that Parvati settled. It was the legendary saint Adi Sankara of the 10th Century, pacifying the lord and bringing up this present sitting posture. The saint built up Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and accomplished Sarvajna peetam in this blessed city. The temple was contributed mostly by Pallava and Chola rulers. The sculptures seen in the temple along with the vivid lights at night time, makes this temple a very good site for photography. Many areas and structures of the temple have seen reconstruction because the originals were destroyed in a natural calamity or could not stand against the time. However, all the rulers of Kanchipuram have tried their best to restore the temple according to its initial constructions. But a keen observer will be able to spot the original work of architecture that was done on the walls of the temple when it was initially built.