SRI BANGARU KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE, THANJAVUR
Sri Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple is a wonderful Temple located in Thanjavur City at the West Main Street, Thanjavur.
The chief deity present in this temple is known as Bangaru Kamakshi Amman. At the left side of the sanctum sanctorum, the shrine of Kamakodi Amman is found.
At the entrance of the temple, there is a big idol of Lord Ganesha, which is called as ‘Varada Maha Ganapati’.
The temple was built around 1760s during the period of the great King Pratap Singh Bhonsle of Thanjavur.
Shyama Sastri, one of Trinity of Carnatic music, was born in the family which served as the temple priests in Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple.
Past Consecration Ceremonies were performed during the years: 1992, 2004, 2017.
Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple, is located in the heart of the Thanjavur, and, it is just situated aound 1.5 Kms from Brahadeeswarar temple and there are city buses from both old and new bus stands.
The idol of the Ambal is made of gold. The meaning of the Telugu word Bangaru is gold and as She is made of gold, and hence she came to be known as Ma Bangaru Kamakshi. After worshipping the Shri Varada Maha Ganapathi, we could have darshan of Ambal. She gives darshan in the standing posture, with a parrot on Her right arm. The garlands and flowers offered to her are removed only in the mornings and evenings.
Though it is a golden idol, the face is surprisingly dark in colour. Since she preferred to offer her divine service to the people, she was installed in Tanjavur. The continuous use of Punugu has made the face dark. Near the main shrine, there is an east facing shrine housing Shri Kamakoti Amman, once again confirming the connection to Kanchi.
SONGS IN PRAISE OF BANGARU KAMAKSHI ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Oh Pretty Goddess Ma Bangaru Kamakshi, who is beautiful , who is permanent , who is destroyer of all ills, who stood as the flame , who would remove all pains of those who come and see you on Fridays.
You would remove the sorrows of those who salute your feet in their thought, as the entire world is filled with your Maya , would this inferior one be able to praise you, And it is your duty to protect me who is your own son.
Oh consort of Shiva, Oh great goddess of Shiva , you are goddess of the great god , the head gem , and the wish giving gem, You are the greatest goddess , who removes sorrow , who is permanent , Who takes care of the family and who protects orphans, Oh Holy mother Bangaru Kamakshi , Oh Uma who with great fame who lives in the pretty city of Thanjavur,
Oh, mother Kamakshi who gave birth to elephant like Ganesa with shining moon like face, who is famous and has long hands, Oh sister of Lord Vishnu, Oh consort of Lord Shiva.
Oh mother I do not know how many births I have taken in this earth, At least now take mercy on me and protect me by not making me take another birth, On all the three times of the day I saluted you for getting salvation and had I not believed three fourths in you ?
Oh mother you should not giving problems for me, since I have already faced plenty of problems. Oh, mother with your blessings, I will come and see you at your temple with my family.
Oh mother Kamakshi who is Uma who famously lives in the pretty Thanjavur City.
“OM MA BANGARAMMA NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR