This is the holy place where Mother Kamakshi performed severe penance standing on one leg amidst fire before Her wedding with Lord Ekambareswarar in Kancheepuram. Sri Chakra occupies all importance in the temple. Abishek is offered to the panchaloka ? an alloy of five metals ? idol of Mother Kamakshi and Archana to Sri Chakra.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
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 reunite with Lord Shiva. All 32 types of Dharmic rituals were performed here by the goddess. The mythology is that when Lord Shiva and Parvati were in Mount Kailash the Goddess playfully closed the eyes of 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 sanatorium 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.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The nearest Bus stop is Mangadu
By Rail
The nearest Railway Station is Chennai
By Air
The nearest airport is Chennai.
Shrine Timings
6.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.On Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays, the temple is open from morning till night continuously.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Navaratri
