Konerikuppam Kanaka Durga Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Konerikuppam Kanaka Durga Temple, Konerikuppam, Kanchipuram Taluk, Kanchipuram District – 631561.

Diety

Amman: Kanaka Durga

Introduction

Kanaka Durga Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga located in Konerikuppam, an outskirt of Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram Taluk in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Kanaka Durga is considered as the guardian deity of Kanchipuram. The Temple is believed to be built in the 19th Century.

Puranic Significance

This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch on the southern side. The entrance arch has stucco images of Goddess Durga flanked by Vinayaga and Lord Murugan with his consorts. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Kanaga Durga. Her idol is housed in the sanctum She is believed to be Swayambhu Idol. She is in sitting posture, with her left leg on the buffalo, representing Mahishasura and her right leg on the floor. A lion can be seen on her right side and a demon on the left side of the idol. She holds chakra, Shanga, trisula, umbrella, bow, shield, pasa, sword and arrow in her hands. One of her hand rests on her thigh. Vaishnavi, Brahmi, Kaumari, Varahi and Maheshwari are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Utsava idol of Kanaga Durga is housed in a separate east facing shrine next to the sanctum. There is a shrine for Ishta Siddhi Vinayaga in the temple premises. Naga idol can be seen under the Peepal tree behind the Ishta Siddhi Vinayaga Shrine. There is a shrine for Ashta Lakshmi in the temple premises. It houses idols of Veera Lakshmi, Santhana Lakshmi, Maha Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi and Vidya Lakshmi. Sub shrine of Baktha Anjaneya can be seen at the entrance of the shrine. Putru Koil can be seen at the eastern end of the temple premises. Snake Pit, head of Goddess and Naga idol can be seen in this shrine.

Special Features

There is a Thiruvilakku Mandapam, next to Ishta Siddhi Vinayaga Shrine. It houses a goddess idol. Devotees light Deepas here during Rahu Kala Pooja. There is a Navagraha Mandapam in the temple premises. All the Navagrahas are housed in this Mandapam. Stucco images of Surya in chariot surrounded by all the other planets (Grahas) can be seen on top of the Mandapam.