Kunniyur Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Kunniyur Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kunniyur, Mannargudi Taluk, Thiruvarur District Mobile: +91 93813 30019

Diety

Amman: Sri Kamakshi (Parvathi)

Introduction

Kamakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi located at Kunniyur Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is believed to be 200 years old. The Swayambu Vigraham is originally known by the name Seethala Parameswari but later came to be hailed as Kamakshi. There is a village in east of Mannargudi known as Madhuvana Kshetra, north of Agasthya River and south of Harichandra River named Kannipuri. Presently, it is called Kunnipuri / Kunniyur.

Puranic Significance

The Temple has a Vimanam, Maha Mandapam and a three-tier Rajagopuram. Goddess is a Swayambumurthy in the temple. Goddess Kamakshi graces here as “Seethala Parameswari.” Kama means Love. Akshi means Eyes. Kamakshi means the Goddess with Loving Eyes – Graceful Eyes. Other meaning is Ka means Saraswathi the Goddess of Wisdom. Ma means Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Wealth. Mother Kamakshi has both as her eyes. The idol of Goddess Kamakshi is small in size as a Swayambu 200 years ago. Goddess Kamakshi appears in a sitting form with her right leg folded and the left hanging. What once was a small palm or coconut leaf tent, has grown into a famous temple today. As the Goddess is Swayambumurthy, with due respect to her, people passing through the temple walk very softly as Adi Pradikshina (going round the temple softly step by step) and would never walk roughly with fast steps. Any auspicious function in a family begins in this place with a prayer known as “Pachai Poduthal”. It begins with abishek and Lalitha Sahasranama puja. At night, they bring Goddess on a plank called Padi Chattam dressed gracefully and begin the function. They will spread rice measuring six Marakkals, place coconuts and fruits, vegetables, betel leaves and nuts as Nivedhana (a food offering). Also a Pujari (priest) as representative of the Guardian Deity Kathavarayan will bring a wooden club named Sukkumandhadi as that of Anjaneya. The top of the club would be round and big. Devotees offer fruits, flowers, neem leaves, green coconut and its yellowish young leaves, cigars, tobacco etc. This is called “Pallyam Poduthal.” Then a hand drum (Udukku) will be sounded with blessing words – Arul Vakku. Finally, the family goes to the temple for doing the tattoo ceremony. It is believed that the function would go smoothly and would help them to decide the future course of action

Beliefs

Devotees pray to Goddess for removal of obstacles in marriage alliance talks, for child boon and progress in education. Devotees perform abishek to Goddess and offer Vastras-clothing

Festivals

The Thee Midhi festival – walking on the fire pit – is celebrated in the month of Chithirai (April-May). Devotees and Pujaris (priests) personify the Goddess in a pot of water, carry them and walk on the fire pit.