The Bangaru Kamatchi (also spelt Kamakshi) Amman Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is a historically significant temple being managed by the Kanchi Sankara Mutt. Unlike the grand Kamatchi Amman Temple of Kanchipuram, this temple is relatively small yet spiritually powerful. The temple houses a unique golden idol of Kamatchi Amman, earning it the name "Bangaru Kamatchi" (Bangaru means gold in Telugu).
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| Gopuram,Kamakshi Amman temple Thanjavur.tripadvisor.in |
The idol has an interesting history. Originally kept in Kasi (Varanasi) under the protection of the then Sankarachariyar, it was moved southward in 1677 due to the unstable political climate under Muslim rule. It was briefly placed in the Sankara Mutt at Thambu Chetty Street, Madras, before being relocated to Kanchipuram. The 61st seer of Kanchi, Sri Maha Devendra Saraswathi Swamiji (1704–1746), oversaw its journey during a period of frequent conflicts involving the British, French, and the rulers of Carnatic.
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| Sri Kamakshi Amman temple,Thanjavur,TN .tripadvisor.in |
Above image: 18th CE Kamakshi Amman temple, West Main street, Thanjavu; recently rebuilt entrance to the temple.......
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| thanjavur Kamakshi Amman, TNTripadvisor.in |
According to Thanjavur palace records, Pratap Singh Bhosle (1739–1763) requested the 62nd Kanchi seer, Chandrasekara Saraswathi Swamiji IV, to bring the idol to Thanjavur. After being kept at Konganeswarar Temple on West Main Street for years, the Maratha ruler finally built a in 1771. The temple saw significant patronage under Rajah Serfoji II and Tulajaji.
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| Thanjavur Maratha king Pratap Singh Bhonsle,en.wikipedia.org |
The golden idol of Kamakshi Amman stands in the sanctum facing east, holding a parrot in her right hand. Her face appears black due to the regular application of Punugu (musk paste). At the entrance stands a grand idol of Varada Maha Ganapathy. It is said Shyama Sastri, one of the popular Trinity of Carnatic music composers hailed from the family which served as the temple priests in Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple centuries ago.
A couple of years ago the huge Ganapathy idol, that had been at the side of the entrance to the temple for several decades, was shifted toward the inner side aspart of the corporation drive to remove the structures above the main drainage all along the four main streets of Thanjavur. This was done under the Smart City Plan proposed by the central government. Nearby temples include Navaneetha Krishnan, Vijaya Rama, and Pratapa Veera Anjaneya temples.
The temple’s Kumbabishekam was done several years ago under the guidance of the seers of Kanchi Mutt. It is close to the railway junction, big temple and the Maratha palace.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2017/03/bangaru-kamatchi-amman-temple-of.html
https://www.alightindia.com/shri-kanchi-kamakshi-amman-temple#google_vignette
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