GURU PURNIMA

This was the day, when Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa – author of the Mahabharata – was born to sage Parashara and a fisherman's daughter Satyavati, thus this day is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima.Veda Vyasa, did yeoman service to the cause of Vedic studies by gathering all the Vedic hymns extant during his times, dividing them into four parts based on their use in the sacrificial rites, and teaching them to his four chief disciples – Paila, Vaisampayana, Jaimini and Sumantu. It was this dividing and editing that earned him the honorific "Vyasa" (vyas = to edit, to divide).

"He divided the Veda into four, namely Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. The histories and the Puranas are said to be the fifth Veda."
- Brahmanda Purana 1.4.21 Vyasa Maharshi is the guru of all gurus.All prayers today to ones guru are directly reaching Vyasa.Vyasa maharshi has helped everyone to know vedas and puranas and lead life in a righteous way. Guru means one who removes darkness from ones life.

GURU PURNIMA

.Guru Purnima (Guru Pūrṇimā, sanskrit: गुरु पूर्णिमा) is a festival traditionally celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists.

The word guru is derived from two words, 'Gu' and 'Ru' . The Sanskrit root "Gu" means darkness or ignorance. "Ru" denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore one who removes darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. So Guru is most necessary part of lives. On this day, disciples offer puja (worship) or pay respect to theirGuru (Spiritual Guide). It falls on the day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh (June–July) of the Shaka Samvat, Indian national calendar and Hindu calendar. Traditionally the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in the honor the lord Buddha who gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. While Hindus celebrate it in the honour of the great sage Vyasa, who is seen as one of the greatest gurus in ancient Hindu traditions, and a symbol of the Guru-shishya tradition. Vyasa was not only believed to have been born on this day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami which ends on this day, hence their recitations as a dedication to him, are organised on this day, which is also known as Vyasa Purnima.

The festival is common to all spiritual traditions in Hinduism, where it is dedicated to the expression of gratitude towards the teacher by his/her disciple.Hinduascetics and wandering monks (sanyasis), observe this day by offering puja to the Guru, during the Chaturmas, a four month period during the rainy season, when they choose seclusion, and halt at one selected place; some also give discourses to the local public. Students of the Indian classical music, which also follows the Guru shishya parampara, celebrate this festival, around the world.

KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE :: KANCHI TN

KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE 

Kamakshi Amman Temple :: Kanchipuram

Festivals
Every day is a day of festivity at Kamakshi Amman Temple. The daily rituals include four worship services. However, the month of ‘Maasi’ offers an annual festival of the temple. On the 7th day of this month, processions are taken out in a silver chariot. Festivals like Navratri, Aadi, Aippasi Pooram, Sankara Jayanthi and Vasanta Utsavam in Vaikasi are also celebrated with full fervor. Like other temples of Tamil Nadu, the Fridays falling in the month of ‘Adi’ and ‘Thai’ are observed with grand ceremonies.

Kamakshi Amman Temple :: Kanchipuram

It is regarded that Goddess Kamakshi was initially an Ugra Swaroopini (Ruthless form of Shakti). Adi Shankaracharya placed a ‘Chakra’ before her and the goddess got personified as Shanta Swaroopini (Kind form of Shakti). The area is believed to comprise temples that have ruthless aspect of the Goddess, though Kamakshi Temple is an exception. Representing this, the image of the deity is taken out in procession at the time of festivals. It is said that the Goddess takes leave from Shankaracharya, at his shrine in the inner prakaram.

Architecture
Sprawled in an area of 5 acres, the temple complex has one spire. The ’shikhar’ (spire) housing the deity is covered wholly in gold. The spectacular view of the golden spire can be taken from the outer part. In order to enter the main shrine, four entrances have been made on all the four sides. The structural layout of the temple is quite elaborated.

In the outer prakaram or part, there is a tank and numerous mandapams or halls like the 100 pillared hall, the dwajaarohana mandapam etc. Near the temple tank, various images of Lord Vishnu like Ninraan, Irundaan and Kidandaan are traceable. In the vicinity of the sanctum, there are several shrines dedicated to Ardhanareeswarar, Soundaryalakshmi, Kallar (who has been mentioned in the hymns of Tirumangaialwar) and Varaahi.

Kamakshi Amman Temple

KAMKASHI AMMAN TEMPLE :: KANCHIPURAM

Goddess Kamakshi is regarded as one of the incarnations of Goddess Parvati. As per the Hindu legend, Kamakshi made a Shivalingam out of the sand and offered worship to it. In return, she got Lord Shiva as her husband. In the sanctum sanctorum, Goddess Kamakshi is depicted in a seated posture, which is also referred as Parabhrama Swarupini. A Sri Chakram has been placed just before the image and due worship is offered to it. The ancient shrine of Kamakshi Amman is always associated with Adi Shankaracharya, the great saint of India.

Kamakshi Amman Temple :: Kanchipuram

Kamakshi Amman Temple Kanchipuram

Kamakshi Amman Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi. Located at Kanchipuram, the temple is easily accessible by regular buses and private taxis that are available throughout the state of Tamil Nadu. Former capital of the Pallavas, Kanchipuram lies at a distance of 75 kms from Chennai. Kamakshi Amman Temple is considered as one of the sacred abodes of Goddess Parvati, other being Meenakshi at Madurai, Akilandeswari at Thiruvanaikaval and Vishalakshi at Varanasi.