Kapaleeswarar Temple
Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple is one of the most highly-pious shrines and important tourist sites in Chennai. The temple boasts of Dravidian styles and showcases striking gopurams. There are two entrances, one at the front and one at the back of the gopuram. The gopuram on the west faces the holy tank and is smaller than the gopuram on the east which is 40 meters high.
Celebrated with great enthusiasm is the Theppam festival, which is celebrated near the temple tank. The Karpakambal shrine here holds regular Tirumurai concerts attracting a lot of visitors and devotees. It is also believed that Subramanyar got Velayudham (Spear) from his mother, here in the Singaravelar shrine.
There are six worship ceremonies performed each day namely Ko pooja, Vaikarai Pooja, Kaala sandhi Puja, Uchi Kala Pooja, evening Puja, Kala Puja, and Ardhajama Pooja. Some of the festivals like Navaratri Festival, Theppa Thiruvizha Float Festival, Brahmotsavam or ‘Arupathumoovar’ Festival, and Vasanta Utsavam are celebrated with great devotion in this sacred shrine.
History of Kapaleeswarar Temple
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 mantras Na Ma Shi Va Ya and the glory of the sacred ash by Lord Shiva, during which she got distracted by 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 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 Malliarpa which means the habitat of the peacocks.
Kapaleeswarar temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Architecture of Kapaleeswarar Temple
The jaw-dropping architecture of the temple inspires every visitor. They are greeted at 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.
The image of a lion is located in front of the Goddess Karpagambal. An idol of the 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 splendor 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.
