The chronicle of sri kamatchi Devi sanctum Santoram
1,GAYATHRI MANDAPA.( GAYATHRI HALL )
Gayathri Mandapa alias hall is in the middle of the first prahara (roundabout) of shri kamatchi. Shrine Shri kamatchi Devi is seated right in the center of Gayathri Mandapa. This hall extends upto the jurisdiction of Devi. The twenty four alphabets of Gayathri Manthra are represented by the twenty four pillars of this hall, and the four walls stand for the four vedas. In accordance with the sanction of Divine Devi, devas had built this Gayathri Mandapa. Divine World Mother (Devi) is only at the basis of this holy and hoary Gayathri Hall.
ALLOTROPHY OF SHRI KAMATCHI DEVI
In kamakottam shri kamatchi Devi appears in five forms (icons).
They are as Follows:-
1. Shri Kamatchi Devi
2. Thapas Kamatchi (Kamatchi in penance)
3. Bangaru Kamatchi alias Swarna Kamatchi (Golden Kamatchi)
4. Anjana Kamatchi alias Arupa Lakshmi (Deformed Lakshmi)
5. Utsava Kamatchi (Icons of Kamatchi for Procession)
II SHRI KAMAKOTTI KAMATCHI
Shri Kamatchi Devi is seated right in the center of Gayathri Mandapa which is the middle of the first prahara (roundabout ) of Shri Kamatchi shrine. Devi faces South East. She is in 'Padmasana sitting posture with Brama, Vishnu , Rudra, Easwara and Sadasiva as the basis with four arms having 'Pasam' (rope) 'Ankusam' (lance), Pushpanam (flower) and Sugarcane Arch respectively. Mother has three eyes and rules the world as Raja Rajeshwari as Lalitha, beauty of beauties and as a destroyer of all 'Kamas' love and thus as Kameswari, Shri Kamatchi is worshiped as Chakra Nayagi,Thirupurasundari, Sri Thirupura according to the views of Her Devotees.
Kamatchi Devi Presented Herself in Kanchee appearing through 'Pila Kasa' the great can cavity in order to slay Bhandakasuran, and other asuras who troubled Devas. Out of fear of asuras, Devas came here and lived as parrots ir Champaka tree and prayed Devi to free them from the terrors of asuras.
Devi in due response to the prayer of Devas was pleased to come all the way from Mount Meru and came out here through 'Pilakasa' the great sacred cancavity of the earth slaughtered the asuras and saved the Devas. Eve since then shri Kamatchi Devi is present in this great Shrine right in the centre of Gayathri Mandapa Her abode. Thus it is evident that Devi was no installed by any one, but Mother Devi presented herself not only for the Devas then but for us also. Here in this Sacred Shrine of Devi.
She is 'Sthoola' (object) and perception, 'Sookshma' (imagination).
and 'Karana' (cause) forms all mixed and mingled as 'one'. Shri Kamatchi Devi preside in this great Shrine in order to help her Devotees to get rid of their sins, lust and worries and to bestow Her choicest blessing on alls the Devotees.
III KAMAKOTI PEEDA alias 'SHRI CHAKRA'
'Kamakotti Peeda alias 'Shri Chakra' is ahead of sri Kamatchi Devi Seated right in the centre of Gayathri Mandapa. Shri Devi alias Kamatchi is in Sookshama' (conception) from in this 'Shri Chakra' proper .On the margin of the pedestal are the eight sakthis. Ever since Devi came out of the 'Pilakasa' she is presiding in this Shri Chakra. This Kamakoti Peeda with shri chakra is here for ages and seers. Eswara Himself prayed in four yugas as saint Dhurvasa, Parasurama, Doumya and in Kali age as Mukhacharya and Adi Sankar and obtained divine in blessing of Divine Mother Shri Kamatchi.
IV PILA KASA
Pila Kasa the great cancavity, is in the sanctum sanctorum of shri kamatchi to the of Devi and in front of Thapas Kamatchi (Kamatchi in penance) It is not only the most sacred place, but secred one. Devi is present there and there alone ever since Devi came over here through this 'Pila Kasa'
V THAPAS KAMATCHI (SRI KAMATCHI IN PENANCE)
Thapas Kamatchi alias Kamatchi in penance is to the right of Shri Devi in the sanctum sanctoram of Shri kamatchi Devi Shri parvathi,the consort of siva, came to this world from kailas due to the curse of Rishis, in order to do penance and rejoin siva At first Parvathi took her above in Benares (kasi) and fed: the hungry and was called thereafter as annapoorani.As per the advice of saint Kathyana,parvathi came here and worshiped Shri Kamatchi.Thus Parvathi is here in the Shrine of Shri Kamatchi to her right as Thapathas Kamatchi.Later in accordance with the blessing of Shri Kamatchi Thapas Kamatchi worshiped siva under the sacred mango mree in Rudra Kotta Shri Ekambara Shrine and got the fulfilment of Her Penance.
Vl ARUPA LAKSHMI ALIAS ANJANA KAMATCHI ( DEFORMED LAKSHMI )
The shrine of arupa lakshmi alias anjana kamatchi is the left of sanctum sanctorum of shri kamatchi in Gayathri Mandapa, and Arupa Lakshmi faces north. Shri Lakshmi is in penance to regain Her beauty. Shri Lakshmi who was proud of Her beauty, was deformed ugly by the curse of Her Lord Vishnu As per the deformed as Arupa Lakshmi came to the Gayathri Mandapa and worshiped Devi. Shri kamatchi came out of Her Pila Kasa and granted Arupa Lakshmi that the devotees of Shri Kamatchi Devi would place the red tinged saffron powder (Kumkuma )the offerings of Shri Kamatchi Devi on Arupa Lakshmi and worship Her which would enable Arupa Lakshmi to regain Her original beauty.
In front of the shrine of Arupa Lakshmi is Sowbagya Ganapathi.
Vll VARAHI
Varahi is an attendant deity of shri kamatchi Devi. The shrine of varahi is to the left of the sanctum sanctorum of kamatchi Devi and by the side of the Shrine of Arupa Lakshmi. varahi is facing north and she is a commander in chief of shri kamatchi Devi.
Vlll 'SANTHANA STHAMPAM' OR THE PILLAR OF PROGENY
'Santhana sthampam' or the pillar of progeny is to the left of the sanctum sanctorum of shri kamatchi and in front of varahi. when king Dasaratha came to kanchee during his pilgrimage to get a blessing of progeny. Dasaratha prayed kamatchi for the grant of a boon to be get sons. Shri kamatchi admired the king's longing and granted the boon of progeny Therefore it is the devotees who go round this santhana sthampam will be blessed with sons and daughters.
lX ARTHANAREESWARER
The shrine of Arthanareeswarer is to the right of shri kamatchi's shrine in Gayathri Mandapa and Arthanateeswarar faces south.
X KALVAR AND SOUNDARYA LAKSHMI
The shrines of kalvar ( an incornation of vishnu ) is to the right of kamatchi shrine facing south east and that of soundarya Lakshmi facing south. Lord Vishnu came there in the mask of a burglar to find out Whether His consort Lakshmi cursed to defor-mity had regained Her beauty or not and finding Her beauty rejoined with Her and took abode in Rudra Kotti.
Xl ANNAPOORANI
The Shrine of Annapoorani is at the threshold in the first roundabout (prakaram) of Shri Kamatchi Devi. Annapoorani faces south east and in front of Kamatchi's threshold.kamatchi Devi in order to anoint herself of the sin of slaughter of Asuras like Bhandakasuran, pandasuran, Devi herself became Annapoorani, with rice pail in one hand, rice spoon in the other performed thirty two forms of charity and benificience.There are two narrow passages into this Shrine of Annapoorani,one Dharmathwara(charity passages) and another picha thwara (beging passage).the devotes should worship annapoorani(through charity passage)and beg Her blessing through begging passage saying 'Bhagavathi pitcham Thehi'.
XII DHARMA SASTHA
The Shrine of Dharma Sastha is in the western side of the first 'prakara' croundabout of kamatchi Devi. Here Dharama Sastha with his two Consorts poorna, pushkala are doing watch and ward duty to Kamakoti peeda.
XIII ADI SANKAR
The Shrine of Adi Sankar is in the western said of the first roundabout (prakaram) of Shri Kamatchi and to the left of the Shrine of Dharama Sastha.vedas the seat of Karma, Bhakthi and Gnana became multilated and abused in Kaliyuga 3060, and Vedas became dwindled.it was adi Shankar the acharyar, born at Kaladi in Kerala to Sivaguru and Aryammal, who wrote and preached the real meaning and commentary of Vedas Upanished, geetha; Brahma Suttras. He travelled the length and breadth of Bharath Kandam, Preached Sanathana Dharama to hid Disciples established sakthi cult-workship in Sringari. Dwaraka, Bhadri and Janardana and Appointed saints Suraswarar,padmapadar,Hasthamalakar and Thodakar respectively to be incharge of the performanance of Adhvaidic rites in those sacred places.At last Sankar came to Kanchee and took hold of Kamatchi Devi Shrine from the hands of Budhists and renovated kamakotipeeda and Shri Chakra and wrote commentaries of the songs of ecstay on kamatchi in his annotations 'Soundarya lahari Lalitha thirisithi in the end to attain Divies Bliss(Moksha)he took his last journey to kailas entering the pila kasa(the great cancavity)Therefore Adi Sankaris Called as Kamakoti peeda Jagath Guru Sankara.
In the Shrine of kamatchi whenever a festival is begun, the first honour is paid to Adi sankar and it is in vogue for ages. During the mounth of Chithrai Sankara Jayanthi festival is celebrated every year and Soundra Lahari is chanted on all the ten days festival in the presence of main diety.
XIV DHURVASA MAHARISHI
The Shrine of Dhurvasa Maharishi is on the eastern side of the First Prakara (roundabout ) of the Shrine of kamatchi Devi. it is at the threshhold of the upper floor of the second roundabout. He is in his yoga (samathi) and praying Devi always.Lord Rudra become incarnated as saint Dhurvasa at the time of the genesis of kamatchi Devi from pila kasa Rudra Himself took the form of saint Dhurawasa and was the first Maha Rishi to workship kamatchi Devi and it was Dhurawasa Maharishi who composed 'Sowbhagiya Chinthamani' on Kamatchi. The rites and observances of Kamatchi Devi Shrine are in strict accordance with sowbagiya chinthamani.
XV UTHSAVA KAMATCHI (KAMATCHI ICON FOR PROCESSION)
Uthsava Kamatchi is in the beginning of the upper secondary roundabout (prakara)and with Lakshmi in the left and Saraswathi in the right. Uthsava kamatchi is in standing posture.
XVl THUNDIR MAHARAJA
Thundir Maharaja is just opposite to Uthsava Kamatchi. He is in respectful standing posture bowing always Kamatchi Devi. King Akasa Bhoopathi had no sons. He came to Kancheepuram and worshiped Kamakoti peeda Kamatchi Devi was pleased with his prayer and presented her son Ganapathi, so Ganapathi was born as Thundir Maharaja. Thundir Maharaja ruled, 'Kancheepuram' as capital. Hence this area is called Thondaimandalam.
XVll SWARNA KAMATCHI ( BANGARU KAMATCHI )
The shrine of swarna Kamatchi is at the very end of the upper secondary roundabout ( prakara ). The original icon of kamatchi Devi was in pure gold and is now in Tanjore but now there are golden feet pedestal of Swamigal, His Holiness Kanchi Kamakoti Peeda jagadguru Sri Chandra sekara saraswathi swamigal in 1941 during the Kumbapeeshakam.
The origin of Bangaru Kamatchi alias Swarna Kamatchi is that to serve as a consort to Lord Ekambara as Ekambigai, Devi took that form out of Her third eye.
During the Muslim period there was riot and anarchy at Kanchi, Swarna Kamatchi was taken to Tanjore by ( Kamatchidasar ) a descendent of Syama sastrigal, for safe custody and ever since swarna kamatchi is there.
XVlll RAJA SYAMALA ( SARASWATHI )
The shrine of Raja syamala with eight hands is at the very end of the upper secondary roundabout( prakara ) just by the side if the shrine of swarna kamatchi. Raja syamala is prime Minister and also as chief adviser to shri kamatchi Devi.
XlX JAYASTHAMBAM ( PILLAR OF VICTORY )
Jayasthambam, pillar of victory, is in front of the main threshold to the roundabout (prakaram ) It is established to mark the slaughter of the demons Bhandakasuran and they were burried underneath the piller.
XX KASIKALA BAIRAWAR
The shrine of kasikala Bairawar is in the eastern Raja Gopuram (tower ) towards the right side facing Kamatchi Devi in the third roundabout (prakara ) of kamatchi shrine. Bairavar is one of the two Dwarakapalas of shri kamatchi Devi shrine. In the daily last arthajama pooja, the final offering is done only to kasikala Bairawar.
XXl MAHISHASURA MARDHINI ( DHURGY )
The shrine of Mahi shasuramadhini is the eastern Rajagopuram (tower ) towards the left side facing Kamatchi Devi in the third roundabout (prakara ) of kamatchi shrine. she is another Dwarakapala of kamatchi shrine. The icon is standing posture with her feet over Buffalo's head.
XXll KASI VISVNATHAR
The shrine of kasi visvanarhar is in the third roundabout facing direct east. This shrine was established to enable the devotees in finding directeast, and other directions for the peculiar construction of kamatchi Devi shrine is likely to bewilder and baffle directions.
XXlll PANCHA GANGA AND BHOODA NIGRAHA PERUMAL
The sacred tank, Pancha Ganga is on the northern side of the third round about (prakara). The origin of the tank and as its name signifies is it came as five torrents from the five tresses of lord siva himself. As the moment when a great pit was dug to burry Bhandasura after his slaughter, another asura came out of the pit who began to fight with Brahma and Deves. Every drop of blood falling from the asura several crores of asuras sprang up. Therefore Rudra sent two siva ganas to drink the blood of the asuras in order to put an end to the increase of asuras. These siva ganas as a result of drinking the blood of the asuras lost their divine quality and became brutal. In the end these siva ganas fought with vishnu in standing sitting and sleeping postures fought with these siva ganas and made them soft natured and acquire divine devas nature. Later in order to purify themselves and get rid of the sin of fighting with vishnu himself, rudra sent forth five torrents of Ganga(water)from his five treses, and asked siva ganas to bathe in the sacred pancha ganga and wash out their sins.these two siva ganas are even to-day serving as watch and ward to these sacres thank.panchaganga. On the eastern bank of panchaganga is the shrines of Bhooda Nigraha perumal in (1)standing, (2)sitting and (3)Sleeping posture
XXIV AGASTHIYA AND HAYAGREEVAR
The shrines of Agasthiya and Hayagreevar are in the interior sides of east (Raja) gopuram leading into the third roundabout (prakara). These shrines are at a height of ten feet from the floor, Hayagreever is one aspect of vishnu. Hayagreever is one of the principal devotes of shri kamatchi Devi. In obedience to the dictates of shri kamatchi Devi. Hayagreevar was preaching and teaching the tenets of devi worship to disciples. During that period agasthiya became his disciples and learnt the inner meeting of Lalitha Thrisithi and attained divine Devi Bliss. Even to the present day Hayagreevar and sage agasthiyar are there in the entrance of the Raja Gopura in matter-disciple bondage(Guru Shisya Bhava)
Source : http://srikanchikamakshi.org/kamakshi-ambal.htm
Om Sakthi: Om Sakthi:: Om Sakthi:::
