Kāmākṣī, Kāñcīpuram

Goddess Kāmākṣī · Kāñcīpuram, Tamil Nadu

Kāmākṣī, “she whose eyes fulfil desires”, is the presiding Goddess of Kāñcīpuram, one of the Sapta Purī. She is seated in padmāsana in a meditative posture, holding a sugarcane bow, flower arrows, a noose and a goad, the classic emblems of Lalitā Tripurasundarī.

A Śrī Cakra before her is traditionally believed to have been installed by Ādi Śaṅkara, and the Kāñcī Kāmakoṭi Pīṭha is closely linked with her worship. She is included in the list of eighteen Mahā Śakti Pīṭhas. Navarātri and the Brahmotsavam in Māsi (February–March) are major festivals.

Tradition says the Goddess appeared here to destroy the demon Bhaṇḍāsura and then took a gentle form to bless the world. Some pīṭha traditions say Satī’s navel fell at Kāñcī. The Goddess is also remembered as having performed penance here to win Śiva as Ekāmbareśvara.

Tamil Nadu · Lalitā Tripurasundarī · Śrī Cakra · Navarātri

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