Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai Entry Fee
- No entry fee
Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai Phone
+91 44 24641670
Rating: 
| 4/5 stars
Based on total 57 reviews
Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai Address: Vadakku Maada Veethi, Mylapore, Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600004, India
Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai Tour Packages
Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai Timings
| Day | Timing |
|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 am – 12:00 pm 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:00 am – 12:00 pm 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Wedesday | 5:00 am – 12:00 pm 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:00 am – 12:00 pm 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Friday | 5:00 am – 12:00 pm 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 5:00 am – 12:00 pm 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 5:00 am – 12:00 pm 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
A gem of a city, Chennai stands out as the 31st largest metropolitan area in the world. The financial and administrative epicentre of the state proffers something for every traveller including sparkling beaches, informative museums and historical monuments.
One of the imposing religious sites of the city is the famed Kapaleeswarar Temple that is majestically set in the Mylapore region of Chennai. This cultural marvel attracts huge crowd who throng in to witness its astounding spring festival.
It is said that the Shiva Lingam in the temple is suyambulingam which means it is self-manifested. It is also known as Vedapuri as the four Vedas have worshipped Lord Shiva at this auspicious place. Other name given to the religious site is Sukrapuri as Sukracharya offered his prayers to Lord Shiva at this place to regain his eyes.
Kapaleeswarar is a combination of two words Kapalam which means head and eswarar which means Lord Shiva.
History of Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai
Initially the temple was constructed in the 7th century CE by the Pallavas where the current Santhome Church is located. Post its demolition by the Portuguese in 1566 A.D. the Vijayanagara kings reconstructed the temple in the Dravidian style of architecture.
Legends state that the place got its name from the fact that Goddess Uma worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a peacock which is known as Mayil in Tamil. Goddess Uma was being taught the meaning of five lettered Mantra Na Ma Shi Va Ya and the glory of the sacred ash by Lord Shiva, during which she got distracted with the appearance of a peacock.
She was then cursed to become a peacock by him. As such to get relieved from the curse she then came to this place and offered her prayers to him. After she regained her original form she was named as Karpagavalli by Lord Shiva. It is at this holy place that Goddess Parvati gave Lord Muruga the spear or Sakthi Vel to kill a demon.
It is also believed that Lord Brahma did penance here to get back his creation power from Lord Shiva. A greek researcher, Thalami visited the place around 2000 years ago and named the place as Malliarpa which means the habitat of the peacocks.
Kapaleeswarar temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of Government of Tamil Nadu.
Image Gallery of Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai
Architecture of Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai
Jaw dropping architecture of the temple inspires every visitor. They are greeted to the sacred shrine with an appealing 37 meter high tower or the gopuram at the entrance. Both the gopurams on the east and the west are adorned with several beautiful mythological figures. The other entrance facing the temple tank at the west is smaller than the eastern entrance.
Pilgrims also worship Lord Shiva’s consort Parvati who appears in the form of Karpagambal in the temple. People visiting the temple on Fridays would admire the garland made of gold coins called Kasu Mala offered to the deity.
Image of a lion is located in front of the Goddess Karpagambal. Idol of revered saint, Gnanasambandar is situated at the entrance of the temple. Other noteworthy shrines include the bronze carving of 63 Saivite saints or the Nayanars. One of the Nayanars, named Vayilar Nayanar was born at this place and a shrine dedicated to the Nayanar is built inside the complex.
The significant temple has been mentioned in the Thevaram hymns of the well known Shaivite saints named Saint Sambandar and Saint Appar. It also houses the sacred Punnai tree which is believed to be one of the oldest trees of Chennai. Adding to the splendour of the temple are the idols of Lord Ganesh who appears as Nardana Vinayaka or the dancing Vinayaka and of Lord Muruga who appears as Singarvelan.
If you want to take in the grandeur of the beautiful temple and similar other iconic spots of the city then board our one day exciting Chennai tour packages or customize your own tours.
Nearby Attractions
Other impressive sights situated near the temple include St. Thomas Basilica, Adikesava Perumal Temple, Jain Temple, Thiruvalluvar Koil, Kolavizhi Amman Koil, Sri Parthasarathy Temple and Shirdi Sai Baba Temple.
How to reach Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai
Chennai houses one of the busiest airports of the country. Flights connect Chennai with all other parts of the world and the country. Bus routes connect the Capital with different cities of the country. Buses can be boarded from CMBT (Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal).
Several trains link the city to the other parts of India. There are daily trains from Chennai to other cities that run from Chennai Central station. Chennai Egmore station has daily trains connecting the capital city to different cities of the state.
Kapaleeswarar Temple is located in Kutchery Road of Mylapore at a distance of 5.4 km from Chennai Central and 11.1 km from the airport. People can take a cab, taxi, local bus or auto rickshaw from the airport, bus stop or railway station to reach the temple.
Entry fees and timings of Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai
Gracious temple is open from 5:00 AM in the morning till 12:00 PM in the afternoon and from 4:00 PM in the evening till 9:30 PM in the night. There are no entry fees to be paid to visit the temple.
Events at Kapaleeswarar temple Chennai
Pooja or prayers are offered six times a day that includes Ko Pooja (Kala Shanthi in the morning), Vaikarai Pooja, Kaala Sandhi Pooja, Uchchikala Pooja in the mid-day, Sayamkala Pooja in the evening and Ardhajama Pooja in the late midnight. Most noteworthy Pooja is the endearing sixteen Shodasa Upacharas held in the evening.
Pradhosa and Panchaparva held every month attract several visitors. Shivratri is also well celebrated with special prayers offered on this day. Panguni Peruvizha or the spring festival held during the Panguni month (mid March – mid April) draws a huge crowd.
Nine day long festival includes dwajarohanam or flag hoisting, therotsavam, Arupathimoovar festival, Brahmotsava and Thirukalyanam. Idols of Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal dressed beautifully and mounted on their vahana are taken for a circumambulation for all the nine days.
Most important Pradakshinam is the Arupathimoovar when all the 63 Nayanmars follow the Kapaleeswarar idol who sits majestically in the chariot driven by Lord Brahma. Navratri festival is also well celebrated in Kapaleeswarar Temple.
FAQ’s and General Information about Kapaleeswarar Temple
Why to visit Kapaleeswarar Temple?
If you visit Chennai to explore its spectacular sightseeing sights, then Kapaleeswarar temple is a not –to- be missed spot, as you get an opportunity to witness its incredible architecture.
When to visit Kapaleeswarar Temple?
This noteworthy religious site can be visited anytime during the year however if you want to witness the grand Spring festival, then you will have to plan your tour in between mid-March to mid-April. Travellers prefer to visit Chennai during the months of November to March in order to avoid the sweltering heat experienced during the rest of the month.
