Kapaleeswarar Temple
According to the Puranas, Shakti worshipped Lord Shiva here in the form of a peacock, which is why the area was called Mylai (Mayil is Tamil for Peacock).
Legends
Sri Rama performed prayers to Lord Shiva at Rameswaram after killing Ravana. Then he came to Mylapore and performed Brahmothsava (great festival) for Kapaleeswara in the asterism Thiruvonam.
When Lord Brahma went to meet Lord Shiva at Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva was not present. Parvati unknowingly started worshipping Lord Brahma’s feet. Lord Shiva punished Lord Brahma for accepting the puja, and cut off one of Brahma’s five heads (kapalams). In an act of penance, Brahma came down to Mylapore and installed a Lingam to please Lord Shiva.
The daughter of the merchant Sivanesa Chettiar Angam Poompavai was resurrected when Sambandar sang a pathigam in praise of Lord Kapaleeshwar.
Location:
Located in Mylapore, Chennai. This temple is very famous, and located in central Chennai.
- By MRTS: Thirumayilai MRTS Station, less than 0.5 km
- By Bus: Mylapore Tank, less than 0.5 km
- By Train: Chennai Central (Madras Central, MAS), less than 10 kms
- By Air: Chennai International Airport (Anna International Airport) (IATA: MAA, ICAO: VOMM), less than 15 kms
Temple Trust:
Objectives of Sri Kapaleeswara Sanathana Trust:
- Anna Danam: Free feeding of the poor
- Vidhya Danam: Providing free vedic education by starting a VedaAgama Patasala
- Vaidhya Danam: Thiruvalangadu Project: Providing free medical facilities and treatment to poor people by organising medical camps.
- Sanathana Dharma: To develop and make people aware of our Indian culture, a magazine called “Kapaleeswaram ” is published and made available to all members for free.
- GoRakshanam: Protecting the cow A Goshala is planned to protect cows, specially non milk yeilding cows so that they are protected from being slaughtered.
- Old Age Home: A Old Age Home for the Old People who are not cared for by their Children.
