Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Legend

Tradition holds that Parvati, under a curse, took the form of a peahen (mayil in Tamil) and did penance here to regain her form, which gave Mylapore its name. The name Kapaleeshwarar comes from kapala, the skull: at Kailash, Brahma slighted Shiva, who plucked off one of Brahma's five heads, and Brahma installed a linga here in penance. The Goddess is Karpagambal, the wish-yielding tree mother. The saint Sambandar is said to have brought back to life Poompavai, a merchant's daughter who died of snakebite, at this temple.

Why this temple matters

Kapaleeshwarar is a Paadal Petra Sthalam, sung in the 7th-century Tevaram hymns; Sambandar's Poompavai pathigam is set here. The original Pallava temple is believed to date from the 7th century, and the present temple was rebuilt after relocation some centuries later. The 120-foot east gopuram was raised in 1906. The temple tank is about 190 by 143 metres. It is one of the seven Sapta Sthana Shiva temples of Mylapore and is managed by the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department.

What devotees pray for here

Festivals

• Panguni Peruvizha (March–April): the nine- to ten-day Brahmotsavam with flag hoisting, chariot festival and Thirukkalyanam
• Arubathimoovar (March–April, eighth day of Panguni festival): the 63 Nayanmars taken in procession, the biggest crowd of the year
• Theppam, the float festival: three days with the deities on a float in the temple tank
• Maha Shivaratri (February–March): the only night the temple stays open for 24 hours

Poojas & rituals

• Archana at the Karpagambal and Kapaleeshwarar sannidhis
• Abhishekam, one of the six daily poojas, which devotees can sponsor
• Friday (Sukravaram) worship of Karpagambal
• Pradosham worship every fortnight
• Annadhanam (feeding devotees), which can be sponsored through the temple
• Lighting lamps at the Poompavai shrine and the temple tank

How to reach

The temple is in Mylapore, in central Chennai. Thirumayilai MRTS station, on the Chennai Beach to Velachery line, is right next to the temple. Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations and Chennai International Airport are connected by suburban train, metro and city buses; autos are easy from anywhere in the city.

Timings

Open from 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and again from 4 PM to 9:30 PM. The temple closes in the afternoon; on Maha Shivaratri it stays open all 24 hours.

Rules & dress code

Footwear is left outside and modest dress is expected, as in every Tamil temple. The temple is very crowded on Fridays and festival days; early morning is calmest.

Frequently asked questions

Photo gallery