The Kapaleeshwarar Temple

In Mylapore, Chennai, it is one of Tamil Nadu's most sacred and culturally prominent Shaivite shrines. Dedicated to Lord Shiva (as Kapaleeshwarar) and Goddess Parvati (as Karpagambal, the "Goddess of the Wish-Yielding Tree"), it serves as a central hub of classical Dravidian art, Tamil literature, and religious traditions.

Key Details & Background

• Mythology & Name Origin:
  
  

• The Peacock Legend: According to local lore, Goddess Parvati performed penance in the form of a peacock (Mayil in Tamil) under the temple's sacred Punnai tree to obtain Lord Shiva's grace. This legend gave the surrounding neighborhood its name: Mylapore ("Land of the Peacock"). A shrine depicting Goddess Karpagambal as a peacock worshipping Shiva stands under the ancient Punnai tree in the outer courtyard.

• The Name "Kapaleeshwarar": The name derives from Kapalam (skull) and Ishwarar (Lord Shiva). It relates to the legend where Shiva severed one of Lord Brahma's heads to humble his pride and carried the skull bowl as part of his penance.

• History & Relocation:

• The temple is praised in the 7th-century Tevaram canonical hymns by Shaivite saint-poets Thirugnana Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar.

• Historians note that the original shorefront temple built by the Pallava dynasty was destroyed or submerged by the sea around the 16th century. The current complex was reconstructed near its present location around the 16th to 17th centuries during the Vijayanagara period, incorporating traditional Chola and Vijayanagara architectural styles.

Architectural Highlights

• Gopurams (Gateway Towers):

  
  
  

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• East Gopuram: The main entrance features a 40-meter-high, 7-tiered tower adorned with hundreds of hand-painted stucco figures illustrating episodes from Hindu epics and Puranas.

• West Gopuram: A smaller tower that faces the vast temple water tank.

• Temple Tank (Teppakulam):

• Located immediately west of the temple, this massive rectangular water reservoir encircled by stone steps is where the annual Teppotsavam (Float Festival) takes place each winter (typically around January/February).

• Inner Courtyards & Shrines:

• Houses separate, highly revered sanctums for Lord Kapaleeshwarar (swayambhu/self-manifested Lingam) and Goddess Karpagambal.

• Surrounding shrines honor Lord Ganesha (Vinayagar), Murugan (Singaravelar), Lord Shaneeshwara, and all 63 Nayanmars (Shaivite saints).

Daily Timing & Rituals

• Temple Timings:

1. Morning: 5:30 AM – 12:30 PM

2. Evening: 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM

• Six Daily Pujas (Kalas):

1. Ushathkalam (5:30 AM)

2. Kalasanthi (8:00 AM)

3. Uchikalam (10:00 AM)

4. Sayarakshai (5:00 PM)

5. Irandam Kalam (7:00 PM)

6. Ardhajamam (9:00 PM)

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