Overview

  • Features: Chennai’s most active, largest and impressive temple
  • Opening Times: 6:00 am to 12:30 pm & 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm, daily
  • Best Time to Visit: Late October to early March
  • Duration: 20 to 30 mins
  • Travelled By: Train (Thirumayilai)
  • Cost: Free
  • Address: 12 North Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Type: Temple

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What We Liked

Brightly coloured gopurams.

What We Disliked

Non-Hindus are not allowed into the main sanctuary.

Summary

Located in Mylapore near the Santhome Basilica (1 km west), Kapaleeswarar Temple is Chennai’s most active, largest and impressive temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is symbolised as a peacock (mayil), thus giving the area its original name, Mayilapura, the “Town of the Peacocks”.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple Chennai

 

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Located in Mylapore near the Santhome Basilica (1 km west), Kapaleeswarar Temple is Chennai’s most active, largest and impressive temple. The original temple was built on the spot where the Santhome Basilica now stands. The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century and San Thome Church was built in its place. The present temple was built after it was destroyed by the Portuguese.

 

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This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is symbolised as a peacock (mayil), thus giving the area its original name, Mayilapura, the “Town of the Peacocks”. According to legend, Shiva’s consort, Parvati, assumed the form of a peahen to worship Shiva, represented here by his linga. A sculptural panel in a small shrine in the courtyard depicts the legend.

It is constructed in the Dravidian style and displays the architectural elements – rainbow-coloured gopuram (gateway tower), mandapams (pavilions in front of a temple) and a huge tank – found in the famous temple cities of Tamil Nadu.

 

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The temple is marked by a 36m (118-ft.) goparum (gateway) tower adorned with detailed figures and inscriptions dating from 1250 A.D. The temple complex houses numerous shrines and prayer halls. There are six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 am to 10 pm, and four yearly festivals. The Arubathimooval festival celebrated during Paṅkuni in the Tamil calendar (March-April) is its most prominent festival.

 

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Sacred to Tamil Shaivites, non-Hindus are only allowed in the outer courtyard, but it’s absolutely worth a visit, especially at sunset when worshippers gather for the evening puja, conducted amidst ropes of incense smoke and swirling pipe music.

 

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Getting to & from Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Kapaleeswarar Temple is located in Mylapore 1 km west of Santhome Basilica. The most affordable way to get here is to take a train to Thirumayilai train station and then walk a short distance to the temple. Alternatively, you can take an auto rickshaw or taxi which will take you straight to the temple. Private cars with chauffeurs are also available to hire for the day from reputable hotels or travel agencies in town.

 

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