Kapaleeswarar Temple is one of the oldest Temple situated in the modern city of Chennai in Mylapore in Tamil Nadu.
History
Kapaleeswarar Temple was built in seventh century, in which Lord Shiva is the main god. In 1906, the gopuram (gate tower) with a height of 120ft was built for the temple in a well-defined architecture. Then the 37 meter high dome decorates the temple.
Story of Temple
The Goddess Karpagambal (incarnation of Goddess Parvati) had a wish to learn the meaning of the mantra “Na Ma Shi Va Ya” that has the five letters. She requested to Lord Shiva to teach her the original meaning of this mantra and the importance of the thiruneer (sacred ash).
Architecture
On the either side of the gate tower (gopuram), there are two entrances to reach the inner part of the temple. Here the smallest gopuram on the western side, faces towards the sacred tank and the gopuram on the eastern side lies at an altitude of 40m high.
In this temple, always there is a peacock and a peahen inside the cage of the Temple, to mark the history that the Goddess Karpagambal came in the peahen form to worship and plead the God Kapaleeswarar.
Then the bull, Bandicoot, parrot, peacock, goat and Adhikaranandi are the vahanas (means vehicles) in this Temple. Additionally chariot made up of gold is the latest attribute of this Temple.
Other features of the Temple
The Swayambhu lingam here is the Shiva lingam. Here Swayambhu lingam is the self-formed lingam, which is one of the 64 swayambhu lingams in the world. Then the Natana Vinayakar, Singara Velar, Durgai, Palani Andavar, Dakshinamoorthy, Somaskandar and Vaayilar Nayanar are other deities in this temple. A group of 63 saints known as Nayanmaargal have chosen this temple to be in the place of Mylapore sea shore.
There are the 63 idols in this Temple, dedicated to the 63 saints who had been the great worshippers of the God Shiva.
Celebrations
The Brahmotsavam is celebrated every year in the Tamil month of Panguni(mid March to Mid April ) where a thousand of devotees assemble in this temple to get the glory of the god. The “63 Nayanmaargal festival” is the very famous festival in this temple. On this day, the idols of the 63 saints, who were the devotees of the Lord Shiva are taken through the vehicles around the temple, which is the special part of the festival.
The other festivals are the Theppa Thiruvizha float festival, Navaratri festival and the Vasanta utsavam which are celebrated in this Temple.
Other rituals
The six different pujas especially the Vaikarai Puja, Ko Puja, Kaala Saandhi Puja, Uchi Kala Puja, Evening Puja and the Ardhajama Puja are performed here. These pujas are done as per the rules of vedas to please the God and the Goddess.
Fame
The famous poets like Gunaveera Pandidhar, Arunagirinathar and Sambanthar have mentioned about the temple. This temple is well maintained under the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Tamil Nadu Government.
Other Temples
There are other famous temples nearer to this temple in Chennai. They are Triplicane Parthasarathy Temple and the Kalikaambal Temple in Thambu Chetti street.
Transport facilities
You can reach kapaleeswarar temple through all modes of transport. The devotees coming through train can reach the Chennai Central railway station, from there they can pick the road transport to reach the temple is at the distance of 5Km.
From all the parts of Chennai, straight buses are available to this Temple. This Temple is situated in the North Matam street in the Mylapore, where the bus stand is available at a walk able distance. Then the auto rickshaws and the cabs are also available to reach this temple in Chennai.
The visitors who travel through the flight can reach the Chennai International Airport, from where the buses or cabs are available to reach this Airport.
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Timings: Morning – 5.30 A.M to 12.00 P.M (Timings may vary with festivals)als)
Evening – 4.00 P.M to 9.00 P.M