Sri Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam
Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram district · Goddess Kamakshi (Sri Kamakshi Parabhattarika, a form of Lalita Tripura Sundari / Parvati), seated in padmasana
The seat of the goddess in one of India's seven moksha cities, with Adi Shankara's Sri Chakra before her.
The Kamakshi Amman Temple is the heart of Kanchipuram's goddess worship. Kamakshi ('she whose eyes grant desires') sits in yogic padmasana holding a sugarcane bow, flower arrows, a noose and a goad, with a parrot and a crescent moon on her forehead. In front of her is a Sri Chakra (sacred geometric yantra) that tradition says was installed by Adi Shankaracharya. Kanchipuram is one of the seven Moksha Puris (cities of liberation), and the temple is counted among the Shakti Peethas. The hereditary trustee is the Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, whose matha is nearby.
Timings
- Temple opens: 5:30 AM (Goh Pooja and Viswaroopa darshan)
- Morning darshan: approx. 5:30 AM – 12:15 PM
- Evening darshan: approx. 4:00 PM – 8:15 PM; Palliarai pooja at 8:30 PM
- Fridays: approx. open till 9:30 PM (Incredible India)
- Note: Hours change on festival days. Confirm with the temple: 044-2722 2609.
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
- Special darshan – Check official site
Sevas and costs
- Abhishekam – ₹1,000 (Daily at 7:30 AM (Kala Sandhi), 11:00/11:30 AM (Utchikalam) or 4:00/4:30 PM (Sayarakshai))
- Sahasranama Archana – ₹150 (Daily after the Utchikalam abhishekam, and after Sayarakshai if needed)
- Kumkuma Archana – ₹1 per ticket (At all times during darshan hours)
- Sandana Kappu (sandal-paste covering) – ₹6,000 (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Navavarana Pooja – ₹2,000 (Every Pournami (full-moon) night)
- Golden Chariot (Thanga Ther) – ₹2,500 (Fridays, the first day of each Tamil month, Amavasya, Pournami and similar days (evenings))
How to book darshan
There is no online seva booking on the official site. Pay at the Devasthanam office cash counter inside the temple for all sevas, and keep the receipt.
Dress code
Traditional dress: dhoti or trousers with shirt for men, saree, half-saree or churidar with dupatta for women. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops.
Best time to visit
October to March. Fridays and full-moon days are spiritually important but busy; weekday mornings are quietest. The Masi Brahmotsavam (February–March) and Navaratri (September–October) are the big festivals.
How to reach
- air: Chennai International Airport is about 65–75 km away (1.5–2 hours by road).
- rail: Kanchipuram railway station is about 2 km away; trains run from Chennai Beach / Chengalpattu and Arakkonam.
- road: Kanchipuram bus stand is about 1 km away; frequent buses from Chennai (Koyambedu/Kilambakkam), Vellore and Tirupati. Autos are easy to find.
Festivals
- Masi Brahmotsavam – Masi (February – March); in 2026 around late February
- Sharada and Vasantha Navaratri – Purattasi (Sept – Oct) and Panguni–Chithirai (Mar – Apr); 2026 Navaratri ended 19 Oct
- Vasanta Utsavam – Vaikasi (May – June)
- Aadi and Thai Fridays – July – August and January – February
- Aadi Pooram, Aippasi Pooram, Shankara Jayanthi – Through the year