About the puranic importance of Mylapore

The name Mylapore actually means Mayil (peacock in Tamil), arpu (dancing or making a noise), oor (place or a village). It seems in bygone days there were lot of peacocks at this place and hence it was known as Mylapore. The name finds mention in the hymns of Shaiva saints Sambandhar, Sundarar and Vaishnav Azhwars. The puranik names of this place are Punnagavanam, Vedanagar, Shukrapuri, Brahmapuri, Skandapuri, and Kapilacharam. The jain munis identified this place as Padmanaabhpuram and Vamanathpuram. 

Kshetra Purana of Mylapore: 

Once Lord Shiva was explaining to Goddess Parvati the greatness of Shiva panchakshari and Bhasma (thiruneer in Tamil). At that time a peacock was dancing nearby with its feather spread in the form of an umbrella with very beautiful steps. Goddess Parvati was attracted by beauty of Peacock. She got distracted from the upadesha of Lord Shiva which made him angry. He cursed her to become a peahen on the earth (bhuloka). When she requested for atonement, he directed her to Thondainadu (Chennai and its surroundings) and perform penance. She came to this place and installed shiva linga under a Punnaga tree and performed a penance. Lord Shiva graced her and pardoned her. He informed her that from that moment she will be known as Karpagavalli. Goddess Parvati requested Lord Shiva that he should reside at this place along with her and grace the devotees. She also requested that henceforth this place should be known as Mayilai (mylapore). Due to the sacredness of this place it became Thirumayilai. Later it became Thirumayilapur. 

In Garud Purana, Vrindaranya kshetra mahatmya’s second chapter, the greatness of this place is explained under the heading Mayurapuri Mahatmya. According to Vashishtha Purana, peacock mount of Lord Skanda (Lord Muruga) felt pride and became egoistic as it was carrying Lord Subramanya. Lord Subramanya noticed this change and arrogance and drove away the peacock. The peacock came to this place and did penance for atonement. By Lord Brahma’s grace it was restored back to its original position as a mount of Lord Subramanya. Hence this place is known as Skandapuri or Mylapore.