Kapaleeshwar Temple

Built in the eight-century Pallavan architecture style, the Kapaleeshwar Temple located in Mylapore in Chennai is regarded by the Hindus to be one of the most sacred Hindu sites in the Southern Part of India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeshwar Temple is built in the typical Dravidian architectural style with its elaborate and intricately carved Gopuram, mandapams and a tank. The main entrance faces east and is painted in red, blue and yellow with Puranic legends sculpted on the sanctum sanctorum.

Like most of the temples, the Kapaleeshwarar temple too has many interesting legend associated to it. According to one legend, Lord Shiva is purported to have pinched off one of the heads of Brahma so as to arrest his pride. As a form of penance, Brahma installed a Shiva Lingam in this spot to do penance. This Lingam came to be known as Kapaleeshwarar. Another legend links the temple with Goddess Parvati (Karpagambal), who is said to have worshipped the Lord Shiva in the form of a peacock (Mayil). A small shrine dedicated to her is located in the courtyard. Also located in the outer courtyard are the bronze images of 63 Shaivite saints (Nayanmars)-the devotees of Lord Shiva.

Like most of the temples, the Kapaleeshwarar temple too has many interesting legend associated to it. According to one legend, Lord Shiva is purported to have pinched off one of the heads of Brahma so as to arrest his pride. As a form of penance, Brahma installed a Shiva Lingam in this spot to do penance. This Lingam came to be known as Kapaleeshwarar. Another legend links the temple with Goddess Parvati (Karpagambal), who is said to have worshipped the Lord Shiva in the form of a peacock (Mayil). A small shrine dedicated to her is located in the courtyard. Also located in the outer courtyard are the bronze images of 63 Shaivite saints (Nayanmars)-the devotees of Lord Shiva.

The saint poet Tiruvalluvar lived here and the great Shaivite saint Thirugnanasambandar is said to have brought a dead girl back to life in this temple. This event is enacted on the 8th day of the annual 'Arupattu Moovarn Vilzha' festival held in the month of Pankuni (March - April). The Teppam or float festival in the large temple tank, and the biweekly Pradosham festival also draw huge crowds here. During the festival, one can also witness the classical music and dance performances such as the Kokkalikattai and koothu dances as well as the traditional Thoippavai puppet shows. One of the biggest temples in Chennai, the Kapaleeshwar Temple contains various fragments of inscriptions dating back to 1250 AD.