Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Thirumayilai

Thirumayilai, Tamil Nadu

Nestled in the sacred surroundings of Thirumayilai, Kapaleeshwarar Temple stands as a prominent pilgrimage site that draws worshippers from near and far. This temple is celebrated for its spiritual energy, captivating architecture, and the unwavering faith it inspires in all who visit. Generations of devotees have made their journey here, seeking divine grace and spiritual fulfilment. The temple grounds often come alive during festivals, with vibrant decorations, traditional music, and devotional activities that reflect the region’s rich culture. Even on quiet days, the gentle sounds of temple bells and the sight of flickering lamps create a deeply calming environment. For many, a visit to Kapaleeshwarar Temple is not just a religious journey but also a soulful retreat that renews the heart and mind. This cherished shrine stands alongside many Popular temples in Tamil Nadu, celebrated for their devotion and heritage.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple History and Significance

The Kapaleeshwarar Temple is believed to have been built in the 7th century CE by the Pallavas. The temple is mentioned in the hymns of the Nayanar saints. Inscriptions from the 12th century are found inside the temple. The 120 ft gopuram was built in 1906 with stucco figures adorning it.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple Pooja Timing
Kapaleeshwarar Temple Interesting Facts
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Kapaleeshwarar Temple Pooja Timing

Pooja Name	Timings
Ushakkala Pooja (Morning Pooja)	5:30 AM
Kaala Santhi Pooja	8:00 AM
Uchikkala Pooja (Noon Pooja)	12:00 PM
Ardhajama Pooja (Night Pooja)	9:00 PM

Kapaleeshwarar Temple Location Details

How to Reach Kapaleeshwarar Temple

By Road:

Mylapore is well-connected by road to major towns in Tamil Nadu. State Transport Buses and private taxis operate regularly.

By Train:

Nearest railway stations: Chennai Central and Egmore Railway Stations. From these stations, buses or taxis are available to Mylapore.

By Air:

Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Mylapore, where the temple is located.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple Nearby Temples

Best time to visit (season/months):

The best time to visit is between November and February when the weather is pleasant. Avoid the monsoon season (June to September) due to heavy rainfall.

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Legends Beliefs

According to the Puranas, Parvati worshipped Shiva as a peahen, giving the area its name, Mylapore. Shiva is worshipped as Kapaleeshwarar, represented by the lingam, and Parvati as Karpagambal. The temple is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Shaiva canonical work, the Tevaram.The temple's name comes from 'kapala' (head) and 'Ishvara' (Shiva). Brahma, after losing one of his heads to Shiva, performed penance here. Parvati, cursed to become a peahen, did penance here to regain her form. Murugan received his spear here, and many other legends are associated with the temple.
Deities and Sub Deities

The temple has numerous shrines, with Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls. The vahanas at the temple include the bull, elephant, bandicoot, peacock, goat, and parrot. A golden chariot is a recent addition.
Offerings

Devotees offer various items to the deities, including flowers, fruits, and sweets. Special offerings are made during festivals and rituals. The temple also has a tradition of offering a kasu mala, a garland made of gold coins, to Karpagambal during Friday worship.
Architecture

The Kapaleeshwarar temple is an example of Dravidian architecture, with a towering gopuram. The temple has two entrances marked by gopurams. The east gopuram is about 40 m high, while the smaller western gopuram faces the sacred tank. The temple is a testimonial to the vishwakarmas sthapathis.
Festivals

During the Tamil month of Panguni, the traditional Brahmotsavam takes place. The festival includes dhvajarohanam, terotsavam, Arupathimoovar festival, and Tirukkalyanam. The idols of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal are decorated and taken around the temple in a procession on different vahanas over nine days.The Arupathimoovar festival is the most important procession, named after the sixty-three Nayanar saints. All sixty-three Nayanar idols follow the Kapaleeshwarar idol. The car festival features a decorated chariot pulled by devotees, with huge gatherings participating.
Religious Practices

The temple priests perform puja six times a day. Rituals include abhisheka, alangaram, neivethanam, and deepa aradanai for both Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal. Weekly rituals like somavaram and sukrawaram, fortnightly rituals like pradosham, and monthly festivals like amavasai, kiruthigai, pournami, and sathurthi are observed.

FAQ's

Where is the Kapaleeshwarar Temple located?

The Kapaleeshwarar Temple is located in Thirumayilai, Tamil Nadu, India. Specifically, it is situated in the Chennai district.

Which God is Kapaleeshwarar (Shiva), Karpagambal (Parvati)?

Kapaleeshwarar (Shiva), Karpagambal (Parvati) is a major Hindu deity.

What is the best time to visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple?

The best time to visit is between November and February when the weather is pleasant. Avoid the monsoon season (June to September) due to heavy rainfall.

How to reach Kapaleeshwarar Temple from near City or Town?

Nearest railway stations: Chennai Central and Egmore Railway Stations. From these stations, buses or taxis are available to Mylapore. Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Mylapore, where the temple is located.