Goddess Kamakshi is the presiding deity of Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India. She is a form of Parvati and is worshipped as the goddess who fulfills desires through her eyes (Kama = desire, Akshi = eyes). The Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram, built during the Pallava dynasty, is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas -- the holiest shrines of the goddess tradition. Kamakshi is depicted seated in Padmasana (lotus pose) holding a sugarcane bow and flower arrows, similar to the love god Kamadeva. She represents the power of desire transformed into divine grace.
