source for Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam and Lalitha Trishathi Mantras also.
Interestingly as we enter the Raja Gopuram of Kamakshi temple, one can see Sanndhi for Agasthya and Hayagriva Moorty who were the first Devi Upasakas. The Sannidhi is located on the top and one has to look upwards in the left and right direction. There is a shop selling pooja articles below the Raja Gopuram and after we cross it we can view Hayagriva and Agasthya on the Top left and Right Side.
Bandasura Vadam: Jaya Sthambam in Temple
Interestingly, the Sthala Puranam of Kamakshi Temple is also related to Bandasura Vadam/killing Bandasura demon as described in Lalithopakyanam.
Bandasura born from the ashes of Manmatha was troubling the Devas and the Devas/Celestial beings took the form of parrots to perform penance in Kanchipuram under Champaka Tree and prayed to Parashakthi. (Interestingly one can still see parrots in the outer Prakara/Corridor of the Temple).
Goddess in the form of young girl as Bala Tripurasundari killed Bhandasura and he was laid below Kamakshi Temple. A Sthambam/pillar was raised in memory of the Victory over Bhandasura. Hence it is known as Jaya Sthambam. The Temple has three Kodi Maram/Dwaja Sthambam and the middle one which we see in the Queue line is Jaya Sthambam.
Bala Tripurasundari
After slaying Bhandasura the Goddess was ferocious and in order to calm her, the Devas/Celestial Beings constructed the Gayatri Mandapa where the 24 pillars represent the 24 syllables of Gayatri Mantra. The seated the ferocious goddess in a simhasana and closed the doors of the Gayatri Mandapa. They prayed to the Goddess all through the night.
The next day when the Devas opened the doors the Goddess was a seen in her smiling form as Lalitha Parameswari in Padmasana Posture. Kamakshi appeared in this form in Srimukha Year, Tamil Masi Month (Sun in Kumbha Rashi), Poora/Purva Phalguni Nakshatra, Friday. Every year Brahmotsavam is celebrated during Masi Month for 10 days including Poora Nakshatra Avatara Day.
Gayatri mandapam houses Kamakshi Devi in 3 Forms namely Kamakshi D
Bilakasam
Kanchipuram is the Shakthi Peetam where the Hip Bones of the Goddess are said to have fallen. 'Kanchi' refers to the ornament worn around the Hip. Kamakshi devi is said to havecome to Kanchipuram Temple though this Bilakasam on Poora Nakshatram day.Bilakasam is located near the Right Side of Goddess Kamakshi.
According to Devathin Kural by Paramacharya Sri Chadrasekara Swami, 'Bil' means 'cave' and 'Akasam' means 'Space'. As the Baby in Mother's Womb gets nourished by its mother through the umbilical cord, all the creation in the Universe gets nourished by Parashakthi through this Bilakasam.
Kamakshi: The only Shakthi Temple in Kanchipuram
Manmatha after he was burnt to Ashes by Shiva prayed to Kamakshi that the world only knew of him as being burnt by Shiva. He wanted recognition that he is also responsible for Love, Desire and Passion in this entire universe.
Goddess Kamakshi took pity on Manmatha and withdrew the powers of all goddess from all temples onto herself. All Shiva Temples in the world had no consort and their powers were brought within Goddess Kamakshi. Goddess Kamakshi appears here with the Sugarcane Bow and Flower Arrows that is held by Manmatha/Kama deva.
After withdrawing her powers the Shiva Temples were devoid of Shakthi. Brahma deva prayed to her to re-establish the Shakthi in all Shiva temples to save the world. Goddess replied that she had withdrawn her power on behalf of Manmatha and that she would re-establish her powers again in areas outside Kanchipuram.
Since no Goddess Forms are seen in Shiva Temples within Kanchipuram, this place is known as 'Sivajit Kshetram'. It is also said that all Raja Gopuram/Main Vimanam of other temples face Kamakshi Amman Temple only in Kanchipuram.
Above details of Kamakshi devi is detailed in 'Kamakshi Vilasam' and 'Sowbhagya Chitamani' written by Durvasa is the book based on which daily pooja is performed in Kamakshi Temple
