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Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai is an ancient Shiva temple. It is a beautiful example of the Dravidian temple sculpture and architecture. The present structure of the temple is the renovated one which was rebuilt by the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century. The fragmental inscriptions date back to 1250 AD.
Features of Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai
- The majestic 37 meters rising tower at the entrance is extravagantly carved.
- The crowded cosmology of stucco gods, goddesses and saints depict episodes from Puranic legends.
- The Punnai tree in the temple courtyard is one of oldest trees in Chennai and shades a small shrine describing the legend from where Mylapore derived its name.
- Goddess Parvati, in the form of a peacock, is shown worshipping Shiva, represented by the traditional Lingam.
- Parvati is worshipped in this temple as Karpagambal.
- The Kapaleeswarar temple is famous for being the site of a miracle when the Saint Gnanasambandar is believed to sing to resurrect a dead girl.
- This miracle is sculpturally represented in the shrine of the saint in front of the temple flag mast.
- There are the bronze statues of 63 Shaivite saints, glorified for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance.
- The idols of these 63 saints which decorate the outer yard of the temple, are carried in a colorful procession on the eighth day of the 10 day Arupathumoovar temple festival which is held in March-April every year. How to Reach Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai
By Air
The Kamaraj Domestic Airport and the Anna International Airport are located at Tirusulam at a distance of 20 km from the city.
By Rail
Chennai is also well connected to all the major cities in India through a wide network of railways. The rail service connects to all the main cities of the neighboring state and the country. By Road
The excellent road network of Chennai makes it easily accessible from other important cities of Tamil Nadu and the neighboring states.
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