Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

Temple Name: Mylai Kapaleeswarar Thirukovil

Kapaleeswarar temple Built by: Pallava Nayanmars

God name in Kapaleeswarar temple: Kapaleeswarar

Goddess name in Kapaleeswarar temple: Karpagavalli

Location of Kapaleeswarar temple: Mylapore, Chennai

Vahanas in Kapaleeswarar temple: Bull, elephant, peacock, bandicoot, goat and parrotadhikarnandi

About Kapaleeswarar temple

Kapaleeswarar temple is one of the most famous temples in the Tamil Nadu. This particular temple is situated in the Mylapore Chennai. There are lots of Shivan temples available all over India and most of the temples are situated in the southern part of India and the southern temples are mostly built by the kings. The god himself comes in the form of the Lingam and that particular lingam is worshiped by many saints and devotees of the Lord Shiva and the temple is given importance and the temple is then constructed by the kings who rule that land. According to one particular calculation it can also be said that the Kapaleeswarar temple is built in the center part of the Chennai city in order to protect the people of Chennai. Lord Shiva is well known as the god of destruction.

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

Every single temple in India has its own significance. Similarly Kapaleeswarar temple also has its own importance and significance. It is necessary that people should know more about the Kapaleeswarar temple before visiting the temple. To tell in general there are now people from all over the world who come to Chennai to visit the Kapaleeswarar temple to get glory for their life. Kapaleeswarar temple is the most powerful temple and whatever thing that is demanded from the lord Shiva is fulfilled easily. It will be more beautiful to visit the temple because the construction part is made more attractive. When there is a function time then the temple will be fully filled with the devotees.

Architecture of Kapaleeswarar temple

Kapaleeswarar temple was built in the 7th century by the Pallava Nayanmars. Nayanmars are said to be the devotees of Lord Shiva who worship him by singing hymns in the temple. They are more powerful such that whatever they desire, that will be fulfilled easily. The Kapaleeswarar temple is built in such a way that it is made very attractive for the people who visit the temple. Kapaleeswarar temple is the biggest temple in the Chennai. It was built in such a way that it becomes one of the biggest attractions for the devotees. The view of the temple from outside will be very excellent to see. There is also a Pond in the temple which is known as the Kolam or Theertham which is useful for sacred activities. Some people also consider taking bath in that Kolam or Theertham as a sacred thing.

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

Architectural fact is that the temple is a testimonial for the vishwarkarmas sthapathis. This temple is built based on the Dravidian style in which the Gopurams are situated along the streets and the main temple is sitting inside the gopurams. There are basically two gopurams making two particular entrances to the temple. The height of the temple is about 40m and the gopuram that is present in the western side faces the Theppakulam or the so called tank of the temple.

History of Kapaleeswarar temple

Kapaleeswarar temple is the temple of Lord Shiva who is considered to be the lord of destruction. It is said that the Lord Shiva gives punishment and destroys the one who makes mistakes. According to the puranas it is said that the Shakthi (wife of Lord Shiva) worshipped lord Shiva taking the form of the peacock and because of this reason the place was named as the Mylai and moreover the temple was built after that by the Pallava Nayanmars. Mayil stands for peacock in the Tamil language.

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

It is said that the Puranas stated that the temple was built by the Pallavas and this is indeed a great architectural work of the Pallavas. Among other creations of the Pallavas the Kapaleeswarar temple is also one of the greatest successes. The scholars tell that the temple was built actually in the place of the Santhome church and when the Portuguese came to Chennai they have destroyed the temple. However the architecture of the temple seems to be 350 to 400 years old. This shows that the temple was built recently.

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

Some minority of the people believe that the temple was actually on the shores but after days went through the shores have gone a long distance from the temple. Now we can see that the temple is nearly more than one and a half kilometer from the sea shore. The Vijayanagara kings rebuilt the temple again in the 16th century and it is also clear that the original temple was destroyed by the Portuguese.

Description about Kapaleeswarar temple

The inner god inside the Kapaleeswarar temple is Lord Shiva called as the Kapaleeswarar. The goddess in the temple is called as the Karpagambal who is Parvathi, the wife of Lord Shiva. The name Karpagambal gives the meaning that she is the "Goddess of Wish yielding Tree" . There is also a great history behind the temple's existence. There are also many powerful aspects in the Kapaleeswarar temple. This temple also has many festivals and the rituals during the special occasions and the special days of Lord Shiva. In the Mahasivarathri also the pooja is very famous in Kapaleeswarar temple.

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

In the old puranas it is said that the Lord Shiva was discussing to the Lord Brahma, the Lord of creation about the creation of the three Lokas but the fact is that the Lord Brahma refused to accept and agree what Lord Shiva said. Ultimately Lord Shiva got angry and he plucked our one head from four of his heads. After this incident Lord Brahma went to Lord Shiva and asked for forgiveness by begging to him. Then he requested the Lord Shiva to stand in the Mayilai in the name of Kapaleeswarar just because he was wearing a necklace made of skulls. Here a skull stands for the Kapala. This is the reason why this particular name comes for the Lord Shiva.

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

Actually in the puranas it is said that the Lord Shiva and Brahma made their conversation in the Mount Kailash about the discussion on creation of three lokam. But when Lord Brahma dint agree for that, Lord Shiva cut and threw his head off the ground. Now the intention of Lord Brahma is to convince Lord Shiva and ask apology for his mistake. For this reason he came to Maylai and created a Lingam for Lord Shiva and started making the necessary rituals and pooja to cool Lord Shiva. It is said that after these efforts of Lord Brahma finally Lord Shiva was convinced and Lord Brahma was given apology.

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

Festivals in Kapaleeswarar temple:

The special occasion in which the power of the Lord shiva is very high is taken into consideration and that particular occasion is used to worship the Lord shiva and get all his blessing. It is very much necessary that the people should find the right time to worship the Lord shiva. All the festivals are celebrated to greater extent in the Kapaleeswarar temple. The temple also offers special Pooja to the Lord shiva in the special occasion of Mahashivarathri. It is said that what ever thing that we ask to lord shiva during the Mahashivarathri, that will be fulfilled. And normally the other occasions are also celebrated to greater extent in the Kapaleeswarar temple.

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai

How to reach Kapaleeswarar temple:

There are many bus facility available from all the parts of the Chennai to the Mylapore. It is necessary that we should catch the local city bus from Tambaram or Koyambedu to reach the Kapaleeswarar temple if we are from any other part of the Tamil Nadu. Even the trains are also available for reaching Mylapore. There are also bus available that will reach the most nearest spot of the Kapaleeswarar temple. There will always be a big crowd of the devotees in the Kapaleeswarar temple always waiting to get the glory for the Kapaleeswarar.

Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore Chennai | Shivastalam in Thirumayilai