Kamakshidevi Temple at Mangadu

There is another temple at Mangadu (forest of Mango tree) near Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu connected to the legend of Kamakshidevi. The main deity at this temple is Devi Kamakshi. Kshetra vruksha i.e. sacred tree is Mango tree.

This place is about 3000 years old. This place is mentioned as Sudhavanam in puranas. There is another temple very close to this and is known as Velli-ishwar. It is dedicated to the planet Venus (Velli in Tamil). In Kamakshidevi temple, only the foot print of Kamakshidevi is installed. In this temple there are 2 Vinayaka idols. In one idol we perceive Lord Ganesha holding Paddy stocks and a Mango in His hands. In the other idol He has an umbrella and a mango. Aadi-Shankaracharya has installed a Arthameru chakra in this temple. This chakra has 43 triangles and is made of Ashtagandha. Hence no Abhishek is done on it. On all days the chakra is covered by a Silver casing. Except on Vijayadashami day, when it is covered by a Gold casing. 

Legend associated with this place according to the puran – 

This is the place where Parvati was asked to start Her penance under a mango tree. She was promised by Lord Shiva that He will marry Her after Her penance. She started Her penance observing rigid rules, standing amidst fire. She made five agnikundas and stood near the central agnikunda with Her left toe touching the fire with right leg placed on her left thigh i.e. She stood on one leg. The left hand was on Her navel and right hand held a Japa-mala above Her head. Later on, at the end of Her penance, She heard a voice advising Her to proceed to Kanchipuram and continue the penance there. As her penance started at this place, the place is revered as Aadi-Kamakshi sthala. 

Goddess Ambika gives darshan at this temple in 4 forms. 1) As Srichakra 2) Aadi-Kamakshi idol of Panchadhatu 3) Kamakshidevi doing penance among five kundas 4) a small lamp burning near Aadi-Kamakshi which is revered as Ambika Herself. 

Another legend from the puran is as follows. Shukra (Venus) tried to dissuade Mahabali from giving 3 feet of land to Lord Vishnu who appeared as Vamana. He blocked the vessel containing water while giving Daan. Lord Vishnu removed this block with a Kusha (Darbha) grass and made Shukra blind. Shukra performed penance at this place on Lord Shiva and got his vision back. He did penance during same period as Parvati. Lord Shiva appeared before Shukra first and granted the boon. This indicates that the priority is for devotee. 

When Lord Shiva came to acknowledge the penance of Parvati, Lord Vishnu also came along with gifts for His sister’s marriage. When he proceeded to Kanchipuram, along with Shiva & Parvati, Maharshi Markandeya begged Him to stay at this place. He stayed back and he graces his devotees at this place as Vaikuntha-perumal.

Festivals – 
On the full moon day Nava (9) kalash homa is conducted for nine forms of Shakti.
Nirayamani festival is conducted on the full moon day in September-October.

Courtesy: Following sites 
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/