Morning at Kamakshi amman temple. Neelakantha Gurukkal points out the fish imagery on the temple ceiling is the way that the Cholas built structures with signs to read to understand seasons changing: when this fish swims up from the south (after spawning), the rainy season comes to an end and the hot season begins. But no idea why these were on the ceiling of a temple. The Cholas used fish symbols to show conquest of Pandya/Chera territory, but not the yin-yang fish symbol that’s there on the outer pillar (near grill), and not the ones on the ceiling.
The Naga knot (naga bandham) I discovered is called a Carric Bend–”a secure, heavy-duty knot primarily used in maritime applications to join two large, stiff ropes or heavy hawsers. It is highly regarded for its strength, inability to jam even under severe load, and ease of untying.” Perhaps this speaks to the Priest’s emphasis on the cholas as ship builders and maritime explorers?
Praveen Mohan has written and spoken about these here. From there I got the name “naga bandham” (resonated from the Thiruppugazh நாக பந்த மயூர நமோநம which of course offers salutations to Murugan as the one who rides a peacock which “knots” the snake at its feet). Indeed, the Kamakshi Amman Koyil’s Murugan sannadhi peacock has the most stunning serpent in the naga bandham I’ve ever seen.
Other symbols (entrance threshold, ceiling near the main aisle): a four-petalled lotus (Chatura-dala Padma) often associated with the physical realm and the four directions. It acts as a "grounding" symbol, representing the stability of the earth and the manifestation of divine energy into the physical world. Maybe connection to Muladhara Chakra 4-petalled lotus symbol, in tantra/yoga. Lord Ganesha is the presiding deity of the Muladhara (root) chakra, this symbol is frequently carved near entrances, on doorframes, or on the ceilings of the Mandapa (pillared hall) to bless the devotee’s entry. Most other temples have just a flower on the threshold entrance, this one seems older.
The rest of the time was spent with Natarajan, who patiently took us around, told us lots of stories, allowed us close contact with everything, and rewarded us with the loveliest manoranjitham flowers from the Dakshinamurti shrine. Such a lovely, affable man. All those in the temple are. And they’ve thoughtfully planted a garden with magizham/bakula, coconut, atthi, nellikaya, hibiscus, kadamba, vembu, vilampazham, and bilvam which is the sthala vrishka. It’s as much a sacred grove as there can be in an urban temple these days.
The temple gives annadanam daily to all who come by and many come just for the food. Even if there’s no ubhayakara, they give from the temple’s funds after the ucchikaalam puja. Today was tomato rice.