This is known as Aadhi Sakthi peetam. This temple forms the amman shrine for all the Shiva temples within Kanchipuram since She is wholly present in Kanchipuram. Due to this, none of the Shiva temples in Kanchipuram will have a separate shrine for Goddess.

Legend: The temple is known as Kamakottam. Brahma Vishnu and Rudra were creations of her eyes, hence the name Kamakshi. She is Tapas Kamakshi at Mangadu and Kalyana Kamakshi at Kanchipuram. She was under stringent penance standing on tip of left leg on fire at Mangadu and upon satisfying Shiva, came here to marry him. Here She worshipped a Shivalingam made out of sand under a mango tree.

Temple: The temple covers an area of about 5 acres and the sanctum is crowned with a gold plated vimanam. Kamakshi is enshrined in a seated penancing posture with four hands in the sanctum and is referred to as the Parabhrama Swarupini, seated with Bhrama Vishnu Rudra Eswara and Sadasiva. It is believed that Kamakshi was originally an Ugra Swaroopini, and that Aadhi Sankaracharya, installed the Sri Chakra in front of Her and personified her as the Shanta Swaroopini. It is believed that during the days of Aadhi Sankara, the presence of the Ugra Swaroopini was felt outside the temple precincts, and that Sankaracharya had requested her not to leave the temple complex. Symbolic of this, the festival image of Kamakshi, takes leave from Sankaracharya, at his shrine in the inner prakaram, each time she is taken out in procession.

In the inner praharam, Bangaru Kamakshi, Maha Saraswathi and Aadi Sankaracharya are present along with Ardhanareeswarar, Soundaryalakshmi and Varaahi. When we come out after worshipping Kamakshi we can see Annapoorani in front. There is also Arupa lakshmi and the kumkum prasadam should be first put in front of Arupa lakshmi and then taken out from there. The outer praharam houses the temple tank and several mandapams such as the 100 pillared hall, the dwajaarohana mandapam etc.

Festivals: The annual festival is celebrated in the month of Maasi. The silver chariot festival falls on the 7th day. Other festivals include Navaratri, Aadi and Aippasi Pooram, Sankara Jayanthi and Vasanta Utsavam in Vaikasi.

Sthala vruksham: Sanbagam.

Thirukkalvanoor

Significance: One of the 108 Divya desams within the Kamakshi Amman temple on the Kostham of Kamakshi amman shrine itself.

Main deity: Kalla Perumal with Thayar Anjilaivalli Nachiyar

Legend: Parvathi when penanced upon Shiva sought the help of her brother Lord Vishnu. It is also said that Parvathi sighted Lord Vishnu overhearing the conversation between her and Lakshmi, upon which she addressed Him as Kalvan.

Temple: Images of Vishnu (Nindraan, Irunthaan, Kidanthaan) are seen near the temple tank.

Theertham: Nithya Pushkarani

Vimanam: Vamana Vimanam

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Sri Aadhi Kamakshi amman temple

This is the older Kamakshi amman temple and is just behind the main Kamakshi amman temple. The Kamakshi amman and other deities here are very beautiful.

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Sri Maakaaleeswarar Temple

This is near Aadhi Kamakshi amman temple just behind the main Kamakshi amman temple. Lord Shiva is holding Raghu and Kethu in His hand which is very rare. An important Raghu-Kethu parihara sthalam. Around the main Shiva shrine all the nine navagrahaas are in separate shrines along with their consorts. Kalyana Durga is famous here.

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Ulagalandha Perumal Temple

The temple is abut 200 meters from the Kamakshi amman temple. This is a temple of 4 divya desams within a single temple complex. Apart from the main deity of Ulagalanda Perumal, there are three other deities in the same complex which were in different places nearby. Details of the original temple, Sthala Vruksham and Pushkarani are not known excepting the informations from the Azhwar’s pasurams.

Thiru Neeragam: This is a small shrine in the northern praharam. Sri Jagadeesa Perumal and Neelamangala Valli Thayar are the main deities. Only the Utsava Vigraham is present and the whereabout of the moolavar vigraham and the original temple are not known. The Theertham here is known as Akrura theertham and the Vimanam Jagadeeswara vimanam.

Thirukkaragam: This shrine is also located in the praharam of Ulagalandha Perumal Temple. The Utsava moorthy is Sri Karunakara Perumal and the thayar is Padamamani Nachiyar. Details of the original temple, Sthala Vruksham and Pushkarani are not known excepting the fact from the Thirumangai Azhwar’s pasurams that the main deity is in standing posture. The Theertham is Akraya theertham and Vimanam is Vamana vimanam.

Thiru Karavanam: This is another divya desam shrine in the praharam of Ulagalandha Perumal temple. Details of the original temple, Sthala Vruksham and Pushkarani are not known excepting the fact from the Thirumangai Azhwar’s pasurams that the main deity is Thiru Kalvar in a standing posture and the Thayar is Kamalavalli Nachiyar. Only the Utsava moorthy is present. The Theertham is Gowrithadakam and the Vimanam is Pushkala Vimanam.

Thiru Ooragam:

Significance: The main deity is imposing 35 feet height and 24 feet width

Location: Near Kamakshi Amman temple

Main deity: Trivikrama called Ulagalandha Perumal and Aranaravalli Nachiyar in different shrines.

Legend: During Thrivikrama avathara, Vishnu asked for 3 steps of land from King Mahaballi. Mahabali agreed to give and for one step of Vishnu, Mahabali was already under the feet of Vamana and was unable to get the full dharshan of Trivikrama. He penanced here to have a full dharshan and Trivikrama reappeared in front of him and even then he was not able to see the complete form. Per his request Thrivikrama in the form of Aadhiseshan is present in the same temple.

Temple: The main deity Ulagalandha Perumal is magnificent in size with His left leg lifted up to sky. Everyone will be stunned with the the size of the deity. Also, within the sanctum sanctorum, to the right of Perumal there is a small enclosure where Thrivikrama in the form of Aadhiseshan which is famous for ragu, kethu dosham.