Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai

SRI KAPALEESWARAR TEMPLE

Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

God

The main deity of the temple is Kapaleeswarar who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva faces West direction is a Swayambumurthi.

Interesting Facts

The holy soil where Poompavail was restored to life from her preserved bones, a miracle by saint Tirugnana Sambandar. This is birth place of Tiruvalluvar whose Tirukkural is honoured with translations in many advanced languages of the world.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (42 °C during day and 30°C during night)Average - May (33.7 °C during the day and 28 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (26 °C during day and 21 °C during night)Monsoon season - June to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Mandaveli Bus Depot	1.2 KM	18004194287
Thiruvalla Railway Station	500 MTRS	0469-2601314
Chennai International Airport	16.9 KM	044-22560551

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Thiruvalla Railway Station	500 MTRS	0469-2601314

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Chennai International Airport	16.9 KM	044-22560551

Architecture

Lord Brahma thought that he was as great and equal as Lord Shiva as he too had five heads as Shiva. To teach Him a lesson and to check His pride. Lord Shiva nipped one head and held the skull in His hand. Kapala in Sanskrit means skull, hence Lord Shiva was praised as Kapaleeshwara and the place KAPALEESHWARAM so temple is known as Sir Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Kapaleeswarar Mylapore exhibits Pallava Architecture in typical Dravidian style of Architecture.

The grand 7 tier Rajagopuram was built in 1906. Kapaleeswarar Mylapore is a large temple with an outer and inner Prakaram. Kapali, Kadavul, Veda, Vali, Ganga, Velli and Rama teerthams. The temple tank was built in the 18th century on land donated by the Nawab of Arcot. As a gesture of gratefulness the tank is still offered for use to the Muslims on Moharram Day.

Religious Significance

LEGEND 1 - Mother Uma wanted to know the full meaning of the five lettered Mantra – Na Ma Shi Va Ya – and the glory of the sacred ash. She begged Lord Shiva to teach Her on these topics. While Lord was teaching her, Mother Uma was attracted by the beauty of a peacock dancing before her. Lord for her inattention, cursed her to become a peacock. For relief from the curse, he advised her to go to Earth and perform penance on him. Mother Uma worshipped the Shivalinga under the Punnai tree in this place. Moved by her penance, Lord appeared before her and confirmed her release from the curse and named her Karpagavalli. As requested by Mother Karpagavalli, Lord approved the name of the place Mayilai-now Mylapore.

LEGEND 2 - The first piece of literature on this holy soil was the song of Saint Tirugnana Sambandar beginning with the line ‘Mattitta Punnayam Kanal’. These are the lines that brought Poompavai, daughter Sivanesar back to life who died of snake bite while plucking flowers for Shiva Pooja. After cremating her body, Sivanesar preserved the bones and ashes in a pot. After the visit of Sambandar to the place, as required by the Saint Sivanesar placed the ash-bone pot before him. One of such songs addressed to Poompavai then in ash pot said that by her death she was the loser missing the Thai Poosam festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. The girl came alive after this song. However Sambandar could not accept Poompavai for his wife as requested by the father, as he himself had now become her father by restoring her to life back. Poompavai spent the rest of her life as a virgin serving Lord Shiva and attained salvation then.

LEGEND 3 - Before waging his war on demon Surapanma, Lord Murugan performed penance in this temple. Lord Shiva and Mother Uma blessed the son and gifted the weapon VEL to conquer the demon. Murugan returned triumphantly as Singaravela on the demon peacock – demon Surapanma was changed a peacock vahan of Murugan. Indira gave his daughter Deivanai to Lord Murugan in marriage. Iravadham elephant belonging to Indira could not bear the separation of Deivanai and chose to stay with her. Both consorts of Lord Murugan Valli and Deivanai grant darshan to devotees sitting on Iravadham. This is a rare darshan.

History

The temple was built 1000-2000 years old by the Pallavas.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	05:00 AM - 12:30 PM	04:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Pooja

Name of the Pooja

Day

Timings

Persons

Duration

Price

Ko Pooja

All Days