Kapaleeswarar Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu India

Kapaleeswarar Koil is situated in Mylapore, Chennai very close to Sea. Temple one of the oldest. First built many centuries before the Christ. It was first built on the sea shore, Portuguese when captured Mylapore in 1566 AD demolished the temple Great people like Tiruvalluvar and Peyalwar lived Mylapore. Mylapore was a seaport and a trade centre is supposedly more than 200 years old.

The Kapaleeswarar Temple of Chennai is a very old and revered temple of Mylapore in Chennai. The 'gopuram' (tower) of this edifice is peculiar to all representative specimens of Dravidian architecture. Consecrated to Lord Shiva, this temple contains some beautiful sculptures, among which the bronze idols of 63 Saivite Saints (Nayanmars) decorating the outer courtyard are rare examples.

Besides, in the courtyard of the temple under an old Punnai tree, is a small shrine dedicated to the Goddess Parvathi and showing her worshiping Lord Shiva in the disguise of a peacock. It is from this legend that Mylapore derived its name -'myil' meaning peacock and 'oor' meaning town.

The ancient Kapaleeswarar Temple of Chennai is a beautiful sample of classic Dravidian temple sculpture and architecture. Fragmentary inscriptions date back to 1250 AD, but the current structure is a renovated one which was rebuilt by the rulers of Vijayanagara the 16th century. The 37 meters tall and grand gopuram is intricately carved.

The Kapaleeswarar Temple of Chennai is reputed to be the site of a miracle, depicted through the medium of sculpture in the shrine of the saint before the temple flagmast. Among other unique features are the bronze statues of 63 Saivite saints, canonized for spending their lives amidst prayers and penance. These 63 Nayanmars (saints) are carried by devotees in a colorful procession on the eighth day of the annual 10-day Arupathumoovar temple festival held in March-April.

Centuries later the temple was built in the present place in Vijaya Nagar tradition indicates the present structure could have been built by king of Vijaya nagram. The temple is famous for its sculptures. As per Hindu mythology, Parvathi the consort of Shiva performance penance and worshipped Kapaleeswarar in the form of Peacock Myil in Tamil – and hence the name of the place Mylapore. Kapaleeswarer is the presiding deity. The name is because it is said Shiva with the bowl of skull during the time of creation of present ‘Yuga’ Hence the name Kapaleeswarar. The Amman here is Karpagambal, the name synonymous with the name of the holy tree ‘KARPAGAM’ in heaven as the deity is believed to bless people with whatever they for. There is a large tank on the western side of the temple.