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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Kapaleeshwara Temple
| image = Kapaleeswarar1.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Chennai
| map_caption = Kapaleeshwara Temple, [[Mylapore]], [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|13.0337|N|80.2699|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}[https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Kapaleeshwarar_Temple&params=13.0337_N_80.2699_E_type:landmark_region:IN]
| native_name =
| country = {{flag|India}}
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Chennai]]
| location = [[Mylapore]]
| elevation_m = 54
| deity = Kapaleeshwarar ([[Shiva]]), Karpagambal ([[Parvati]])
| facade_direction =
| temple_tank =
| tower =
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}

The '''Kapaleeshwarar Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to the god [[Shiva]]. It is located in [[Mylapore]], [[Chennai]] in the [[India]]n state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. The temple was built around the 7th century CE and is an example of [[South Indian Architecture]].<ref>[[#Silas|Silas 2007]], p. 114</ref><ref name="kamath">[[#Kamath|Kamath 2002]], pp.28-31</ref>

According to the ''[[Puranas]]'', [[Parvati]] worshipped her husband Shiva in the form of a [[peacock|peahen]] (''mayil'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]), giving the vernacular name ''Mylai'' ({{IAST|Mayilāi}}) to the area that developed around the temple.<ref>[[#Hurd|Hurd 2010]], p. 36</ref> Shiva is worshiped as Kapaleeshwarar, and is represented by the ''[[lingam]]''. Parvati is worshipped as Karpagambal (goddess of the wish-yielding tree). The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Shaiva canonical work, the ''[[Tevaram]]'', written by Tamil saint poets known as the [[Nayanars]] and classified as one of the ''[[Paadal Petra Sthalam]]''.

The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. The [[Aṟupatimūvar]] festival celebrated during the Tamil month of ''Panguni'' as part of the [[brahmotsava]] is the most prominent festival in the temple.

The temple is maintained and administered by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref>[http://www.tnhrce.org/hrce_act_1959.html Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959]</ref>

== Legend ==
[[File:KapaliKarpagambal.JPG|200x200px|thumb|left|Image of Karpagambal and Kapaleeshwarar]]
The temple's name is derived from the words ''[[kapala]]'' (head) and ''[[Ishvara]]'', an epithet of Shiva. According to the ''[[Puranas]]'', during the meeting of the deities Brahma and Shiva at top of [[Mount Kailash]], Brahma failed to show the due respect to Shiva. Due to this, Shiva plucked off one of the five heads (''kapala'') of Brahma. In an act of penance, Brahma came down to the site of Mylapore and installed a [[lingam]] to please Shiva.<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=46}}</ref> This place is known as Sukra Puri, Veda Puri, among many other names including "Kailaye Mayilai" and "Mayilaye Kayilai" ({{Lit|Mylapore is Kailash}}). According to [[Sthala purana|regional legend]], Shiva's consort [[Parvati]] (Karpagambal), due to a curse became a pea-hen and did penance here to get back her original form. Her son [[Murugan]] received the spear ([[vel]]) for the destruction of a demon from Parvati here. Brahma had worshipped here to get rid of his ego and get back his power to create. The four Vedas have worshipped here. [[Shukra]] worshipped Shiva here and got back his lost eye. The daughter of Sivanesa Chettiar Angam Poompavai, who died due to snake bite, was resurrected here by the powers of the [[Nayanars|Nayanar]] saint [[Sambandar]].<ref name="kamath" /> [[Vayilar]], another Nayanar saint, attained salvation here.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kapaleeshwarar Temple|url=https://www.lankapradeepa.com/2021/08/kapaleeshwarar-temple.html|publisher=Lankapradeepa|date=22 August 2021|access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Mylapore Kapaleeshwarar temple facade.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Facade of the temple]]
[[File:Kapalisvar temple festival in mayilai circa 1940.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The temple festival in c. 1940]]
The temple is generally thought to be built in the 7th century CE by the ruling [[Pallava]]s.<ref name="V.">[[#V.|V. 2006]], p. 13</ref> This view is based on references to the temple in the hymns of the Nayanar saints. However, the Nayanar Sambandar and the saint [[Arunagirinathar]] make clear reference to the Kapaleeshwarar temple being located by a seashore.<ref name="dinamalar" /> There are inscriptions dating back to 12th century inside the temple.<ref name="frommers">[[#de|de Bruyn 2010]], p. 320</ref> The temple's 120 ft ''[[gopuram]]''<ref name="frommers" /> (gateway tower) was built during 1906 with stucco figures adorning it.<ref name="kamath" /><ref name="V." /> The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Administration details|url=http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.tnhrce.in/admin-kapaleeswar.html|publisher=Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple|location=Mylapore, Chennai|access-date=22 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121074703/http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.tnhrce.in/admin-kapaleeswar.html|archive-date=21 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==The Temple==
[[File:Cowmeenakshi.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Bulls depicted in the decorated [[gopuram]] of the Kapaleeshwarar Temple.]]
[[File:Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Chennai. 2010.jpg|thumb|Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Chennai. 2010]]
[[File:Pilgrims taking offerings to festival from Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai. 2010.jpg|thumb|Pilgrims taking offerings to festival from Kapaleeshwarar Temple, [[Chennai]]. 2010]]
The Kapaleeshwarar temple is of typical [[Tamil architecture|Tamil architectural]] style, with the ''[[gopuram]]'' overpowering the street on which the temple sits. This temple is also a testimonial for the [[vishwakarmas]] sthapathis. There are two entrances to the temple marked by the ''gopuram'' on either side. The east ''gopuram'' is about 40 m high, while the smaller western gopuram faces the sacred [[tank]].<ref name="about">{{cite web|title=About the Temple|url=http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.tnhrce.in/history-kapaleeswarar.html|publisher=Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple|location=Mylapore, Chennai|access-date=22 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131117212802/http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.tnhrce.in/history-kapaleeswarar.html|archive-date=17 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The ''[[vahana]]''s ("vehicles") at the temple include the [[bull]], [[Nandi (Hinduism)|adhikaranandi]], [[elephant]], [[bandicoot]], peacock, [[goat]] and [[parrot]], while a golden chariot is a recent addition. Statues of the presiding divine couple are seated on a ''vahana'' or chariot which is brought in a procession around the temple while the temple band plays music. Devotees gather around the ''vahanas'' and consider it a privilege to pull / lift the deities on the ''vahana''. There is also a peacock and a peahen caged inside the temple, to symbolize the tradition that Karpagambal had come in the form of peahen to plead to Kapaleeshwarar.

==Sapta Sthana Shiva temples==
This temple is one of the Sapta Sthana Shiva temples in Mylapore area. (one of the seven sacred Shiva temples in Mylapore).<ref name="vikatakavi">[https://vikatakavi.in/magazines/156/5242/%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D.php ஆரூர்.சுந்தரசேகர், பெருமைமிக்க மயிலாப்பூரில் சப்த சிவஸ்தலங்கள்!! விகடகவி, 16 மே 2020]</ref> They are:

# [[Karaneeswarar Temple, Mylapore|Karaneeswarar Temple]]
# [[Tirttapaleeswarar Temple, Triplicane|Tirttapaleeswarar Temple]]
# [[Velleeswarar Temple]]
# [[Virupakshiswarar Temple, Mylapore|Virupakshiswarar Temple]]
# [[Valeeswarar Temple, Mylapore|Valeeswarar Temple]]
# [[Malleeswarar Temple, Mylapore|Malleeswarar Temple]]
# Kapaleeshwarar Temple

In addition to these "Sapta Sthana Shiva sthalas", the [[Ekambareshwarar–Valluvar temple]] in the neighbourhood is traditionally considered the indispensable eighth.<ref name="Vikatan2019">{{cite web
| url = https://www.vikatan.com/spiritual/temples/mylapore-thiruvalluvar-temple-spot-visit
| title = மயிலாப்பூர் திருவள்ளுவர் கோயிலில் என்ன நடக்கிறது? - ஸ்பாட் விசிட் #Video
| last = Muthukumaran
| first = M.
| date = 6 November 2019
| website = Vikatan.com
| publisher = Vikatan
| access-date = 10 January 2023
| quote = }}</ref>

==The tank==
The ''theppakulam'' or the temple tank lies to the west of the temple. Known as the '''Kapaleeshwarar Tank''' or the '''Mylapore Tank''', it is one of the oldest and well-maintained theppakulams in the city, measuring about 190 m in length and 143 m in breadth.<ref name="DC_TakeAStroll"/> The tank has a storage capacity of 119,000 cubic metre and has water all through the year.<ref name="DC_TakeAStroll"/> The 16-pillared, granite-roofed structure, known as the ''mandapam'' at the centre of this tank is known for its significance during the three-day annual float festival, when idols of Kapaleeshwarar and other deities are taken around the tank to the chanting of Vedic hymns.<ref name="DC_TakeAStroll">{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| title = Take a stroll along Kapali tank
| newspaper = The Deccan Chronicle
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Deccan Chronicle
| date = 21 November 2014
| url = https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141121/nation-current-affairs/article/take-stroll-along-kapali-tank
| access-date = 26 November 2021}}</ref>

In 2014, {{INR}} 56.5 million was allotted to build a 2,150-meter-long pavement around the tank.<ref name="DC_TakeAStroll"/>

==Religious practises==
The temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (rituals) on a daily basis and during festivals. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the [[Shaivism|Shaiva]] community. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 6:00 a.m., Kalasanthi at 9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 1:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 9:00 p.m. There is a separate calendar for the Rahu Abhishekam (sacred ablution): it is performed twice in a day at 11:30 a.m and 5:30 p.m. and additionally twice at various times in the day. Each ritual comprises four steps: ''[[abhisheka]]'' (sacred bath), ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''[[Naivedhya|neivethanam]]'' (food offering) and ''[[Arti (Hinduism)|deepa aradanai]]'' (waving of lamps) for both Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal. The worship is held amidst music with ''[[nagaswaram|nadasvaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the [[Vedas]] (sacred text) read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like ''{{lang|te-Latn|somavaram}}'' and ''{{lang|te-Latn|sukravaram}}'', fortnightly rituals like ''[[pradosha]]m'' and monthly festivals like ''[[amavasya|amavasai]]'' (new moon day), ''kiruthigai'', ''[[pournami (festival)|pournami]]'' (full moon day) and ''sathurthi''.<ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web|title=Sri Kapaleeswarar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=628|publisher=Dinamalar|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pooja details|url=http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.tnhrce.in/Pooja-details-kapaleeswar.html|publisher=Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple|location=Mylapore, Chennai|access-date=22 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010949/http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.tnhrce.in/Pooja-details-kapaleeswar.html|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> During Friday worship, Karpagambal is decorated with a ''kasu mala'', a garland made of gold coins.

==Festivals==
[[File:Karpagambalkapaleeswrar.jpg|left|thumb|200px|''[[Murti]]''s of Karpagambal and Kapaleeshwarar]]
[[File:Devotees praying at KapaleeshwararTemple, Chennai. 2010.jpg|thumb|Devotees praying at KapaleeshwararTemple, [[Chennai]]. 2010]]
During the Tamil month of ''[[Tamil calendar|Panguni]]'', the traditional ''[[Brahmotsava]]m'' (annual festival) takes place when the entire neighborhood comes alive with a ''[[mela|mela (carnival)]]''-like atmosphere. Since this month corresponds to the mid-March to mid-April duration, the Kapaleeshwarar temple celebrates the nine day-long as ''Panguni Peruvila'' (Spring festival).<ref>[[#Bhargava|Bhargava 2006]], p. 451</ref> The festival starts with ''dhvajarohanam'' (flag hoisting), includes the ''terotsavam'', (festival of chariot), Arupathimoovar festival and concludes with the ''Tirukkalyanam'' (Marriage of Kapaleeshwararand Karpagambal). In ''Brahmotsavam'', the idols of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal are decorated with clothes and jewels, are mounted on a ''vahana'', and then taken around the temple and its water tank in a ''[[pradakshina]]m'' (a clockwise path when seen from above). This is repeated with different ''vahanas'' over the next nine days. The more important of the individual ''pradakshinams'' are the ''Athigara Nandhi'' on the third day, the ''Rishaba Vahanam'' on the midnight of the fifth day, the ''[[Temple car|ther]]'' (about 13 meters in height and pulled by people) on the seventh morning, and the ''Aṟupatimūvar'' festival on the eighth day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Festival details|url=http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.tnhrce.in/festival-kapaleeswar.html|publisher=Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple|location=Mylapore, Chennai|access-date=22 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121081717/http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.tnhrce.in/festival-kapaleeswar.html|archive-date=21 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The ''Arupathimoovar'' festival is the most important procession.<ref name="V."/> It is named after the sixty-three Nayanar saints. All sixty-three Nayanar idols follow the Kapaleeshwarar idol on this procession. During the car festival, Kapaleeshwarar is depicted holding a bow while seated on a throne, with Karpagambal alongside.<ref>[[#Hurd|Hurd 2010]], p. 43</ref> Brahma is depicted as driving the ''ther''. The chariot is decorated with flowers and statues; there are huge gatherings of devotees to pull the ''ther''. The car festival of 1968 is documented in the documentary film ''Phantom India'' by [[Louis Malle]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

==Religious work and saints==
[[File:Mylapore tank at dawn panorama.jpg|thumb|800px|center|{{center|View of the temple tank at dawn.}}]]
[[File:Chennai, Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar, templi interni 01.jpg|thumb|220px|Inner prakaram (corridor) of the temple.]]
[[File:மயிலாப்பூர் கபாலீசுவரர் ஆலயக்கோபுரம்.jpg|thumb|220px|The main tower at the temple.]]
There is a reference to the temple in [[Sangam period|Sangam]] literature of the 1st to 5th centuries and the earliest post-Sangam mention is found in the 6th century [[Tamil literature]]. The temple and the deity were immortalized in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] poetry in the works of ''[[Tevaram]]'' by poet saint belonging to the 7th century – [[Thirugnana Sambanthar]] has composed the 6th ''Poompavai pathigam'' in praise of the temple.<ref name="dinamalar"/> [[Arunagirinathar]], a 15th-century poet, sings praise of the temple in ''Tirumayilai Tirupugal''. The 12th-century poet Gunaveera Pandithar sings about Neminathan under ''Theerthangar neminathar pugazh''.<ref name="Nar">[[#Narasiah|Narasiah 2008]], pp. 220-223</ref> ''Tirumayilai Prabanthangal'' is a compilation of four works on the temple and the deity.<ref name="Nar"/>

In the temple there is a shrine for Sambanthar alongside Poombavai.

==See also==
* [[Parthasarathy Temple, Chennai|Parthasarathy Temple]]
* [[Religion in Chennai]]
* [[Heritage structures in Chennai]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin|20em}}
*{{cite book |last=Bhargava|first=Gopal K.|title=Land and people of Indian states and union territories. 25. Tamil Nadu|year=2006|publisher=Kalpaz Publications |location=USA|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wyCoMKZmRBoC&q=kapaleeswarar+temple&pg=PA451|isbn=8178353814|ref=Bhargava}}
*{{cite book |last=Hurd|first=James|title=Temples of Tamilnad|year=2010|publisher=Xilbris Corporation |location=USA|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MaDQ5nqymXAC&q=kapaleeswarar+temple&pg=PA43|isbn=978-1-4134-3843-7|ref=Hurd}}
*{{cite book |last=Narasiah|first=KRA|title=Madras : Tracing the Growth of the City Since 1639|year=2008|publisher=New Horizon Media Private Limited |location=Chennai|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ET4-ZI0mgkwC&q=kapaleeswarar+temple&pg=PA20|isbn=978-81-8368-789-8|ref=Narasiah}}
*{{cite book |last=Silas|first=Sandeep|title=Discover India by Rail|year=2007|publisher=Sterling Publishers |location=New Delhi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gL7pGaL3vooC&q=kapaleeswarar+temple&pg=PA114|isbn=978-81-207-2939-1|ref=Silas}}
*{{cite book |last=V. |first=Subburaj |title=Tourist Guide to Chennai|year=2006|publisher=Sura Books |location=Chennai|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wy9ZtMmsZmQC&q=kapaleeswarar+temple&pg=PA13|isbn=81-7478-040-8|ref=V.}}
*{{cite book |last=Kamath|first=Rina |title=Chennai |year=2000|publisher=Orient Longman Limited |location=Chennai|isbn=81-7835-014-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bw2vDg2fTrMC&q=parthasarathy+temple+legend&pg=PA31|ref=Kamath}}
* {{cite book|title=Frommer's India|url-access=registration|first1=Pippa|last1=de Bruyn|first2=Keith|last2=Bain|first3=David|last3=Allardice|publisher=Frommer's|year=2010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HlqM2CR4vfUC&q=parthasarathy+temple+legend&pg=PA320|ref=de|isbn=978-0-470-55610-8}} [https://archive.org/details/frommersindia0000debr Alt URL]
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}

* [https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Kapaleeshwarar_Temple&params=13.0337_N_80.2699_E_type:landmark_region:IN GeoHack - Kapaleeshwarar Temple]

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20161005115940/http://kapaleeshwarartemple.com/ Temple Information]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5NxaYhfHtc Festivals of Mylapore]
*[http://www.contentstudy.com/kapaleeswarar-temple-timings/ Kapaleeshwarar Temple Timings]

{{Chennai Topics}}
{{Places of worship in Chennai}}
{{Famous Shiva temples}}
{{Worship in Hinduism}}
{{List of Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kapaleeshwarar Temple}}
[[Category:Padal Petra Stalam]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Chennai]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Chennai district]]

Kapaleeshwarar Temple - Revision history

Cmrseowork at 11:06, 24 January 2026