if you ChennaiA 10-minute walk from the San Thome Cathedral to the Mylapore neighborhood takes you to the busy temple of Kapaleeswarar, whose multicolored exterior glows on a sunny morning. And more recently, Sobhita Dhulipala He visited the temple and shared pictures of his time spent inside the heritage site.

of history Kapaleeswarar Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Karpagambal (an incarnation of Goddess Parvati), this temple is a classic example of Hinduism. Dravidian ArchitectureIt is believed to have been built by the kings of the Pallava dynasty in the 7th century AD. Centuries later, dynasties such as the Cholas and the Vijayanagara Empire contributed to its grandeur.

The exterior of the temple features tall gopurams adorned with intricate sculptures. It is indeed quite colourful and busy, so much so that you often don’t know where to rest your eyes. Inside, the corridors are adorned with magnificent pillars and carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. The temple complex has a serene atmosphere, resonating with the chanting of hymns and the rhythmic sound of bells.

But why Kapaleeswarar? The word ‘Kapaleeswarar’ is a combination of two words: Kapalam meaning “head” and Ishwar meaning “Lord Shiva”. Some locals attribute the name to a story from Hindu mythology. According to the Puranas, Lord Brahma failed to respect Lord Shiva, who in a fit of rage chopped off one of Brahma’s heads (kapala). In an act of penance, Brahma came to the site of Mylapore and installed a lingam to please Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva is enshrined in the temple as Kapaleeswarar, represented by the sacred lingam. His consort Parvati is worshipped as Karpagambal, the goddess associated with the wish-fulfilling tree. Devotees visit the temple to seek blessings and immerse themselves in the spiritual aura. The temple also has shrines dedicated to other deities including Ganesha and Murugan.

The temple complex also houses a sacred Punnai tree, which is revered for its age and symbolic significance. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati was once distracted by a peacock while Shiva was teaching her a mantra. Angered by her distraction, Lord Shiva cursed her and turned her into a peacock. Parvati then performed penance under the temple’s sacred Punnai tree, pleased Shiva and regained her true form. The tree is said to fulfil the wishes of all devotees who worship here.

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Beyond its religious significance, the Kapaleeswarar Temple is also the cultural lifeline of Chennai. If you want to see the temple at its most festive, you should visit during the Arupathu Moovar Festival held in early March.

Also read: These 10 temples look most beautiful during monsoon

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