Kapaleeswarar Temple - shiva temple in chennai

This Shiva temple in chennai is located in Mylapore,chennai.It is one of the major tourist attractions of Chennai. This Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.It is also called by locals as karpagambal temple. The main deity, Lord Shiva, is worshipped as Kapaleeswarar and the Goddess as Karpagavalli. As Siva carried the skull or the `Kapala' in his hands hence he was known as Kapali and the place he dwelt in became Kapaleeswaram. Another reason given for Kapaleeswaram is that this temple belonged to the kapalikas, members of a branch of Saivism. It is believed that kapalikas lived in Mylapore and Thiruvottriyur during ancient times.Saint Thirugnanasambandar mentions Kapaleeswaram and Lord Kapaleeswarar in his works.

Sthala purana or Mythology

Goddess Parvati (Karpakambal) did penance and worshipped Lord Kapaleeswara in the form of a peacock,hence the name mylapore (Mayil means peacock in tamil).

The Poompaavai Patikam composed by Sambandar is associated with this shiva temple.Thirugnanasambandar, is said to have brought back to life the maiden Poompavai, daughter of a Shiva devotee who was desirous of marrrying him, at Mylapore.

Like the heavenly celestial Karpaka tree that grants boons, the Goddess Karpakambal is gracious in answering the prayers of the devotees. This old shiva temple in chennai retains the glory of the past and continues to attract thousands of devotees and pilgrims from all over India.

History of Kapaleeswarar Temple

The present temple is believed to have been built during the 16th century.Before that Kapaleeswarar temple was near the Santhome Beach and the old temple went under the sea during a deluge. Remains of such as pillars, inscriptions and sculptures were found during an archaeological excavation. The inscriptions including one by Emperor Raja Raja Chola I also reveal this fact.
The Kapaleeswarar temple follows the general plan of a Shiva temple. The main entrance or Rajagopuram,faces east with attractive intricate designs .It is the 125-ft tall.The temple tank with a `Neerazhi Mandapam' in the middle is on the western side, which is believed to have been built by Mayilai Muthaiappa Mudaliar in the 16th century.

How to reach Temple?

This famous shiva temple is in Mylapore,chennai.It can be easily reached by bus and train.Plenty of Call taxis and autos are also available for tourist.

Nearby bus stops for those who want to travel by bus are: Kapaleeswarar temple,Luz Corner,Mylapore tank and Madaveli.

Temple Timings - Morning 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Evening 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m