This is the seventh and last temple in Sapta Sthana worship. This is situated in Mylapore in Tamil Nadu which is an important Kshetra for both Shaivas and Vaishnavas. This is about 12 kms from Chennai airport. The present temple structure must be about 600 years old built by Vijayanagar Kings. Some excavations near Santhone beach indicate that the original temple must have been very close to the sea. Due to some reasons there is a probability that this temple was relocated to the present site. There are a lot of stone inscriptions dating to the seventh century. This temple is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Shaiva Saints Sambandhar and Appar have sung a sacred hymn on Lord Shiva of this temple. Greek geographer has made a reference to Mylapore where he has referred to it as Malliarpa in his work during 90-168 AD. Thiruvalluar, author of Thirukural lived in Mylapore about 2000 years ago.
According to the scriptures available, St Thomas, one of apostles of Jesus had visited Mylapore in second AD. Again from the hymns in seventh century of Shaiva saints we find that they have referred Kapaleeshwarar temple to be near the seashore. According to the details available, the original temple near the seashore was destroyed by the portuguese in 1566 and they built the church over there (Santhone church). Later Vijay nagar Kings built the present temple around sixteenth century from the remains of the original temple. Still we come across a few stone inscriptions in the St Thomas church and the present temple.
There are three places where Goddess Parvati took the form of a peahen and worshiped Lord Shiva. They are namely Mayiladuthurai (Thirumayuram), Thirumaiyaladi and Mylapore (Thirumalayi).
Moolavar: Shri Kapaleeshwarar, Shri Punnagavananadar
Devi: Shri Karpagambika
Kshetra Teertha: Kapalee Teertha, Kadavul Teertha, Veda Teertha, Valee Teertha, Ganga Teertha, Velle Teertha, Ram Teertha, Thirukulam (Sacred tank)
Kshetra vruksha: Punnaga and Bilvar
Puranik Names: Kapaleecharam, Thiru Mylapore, Vedapuri and Shukrapuri.
Kshetra Purana:
Once Lord Shiva was explaining the meaning of the Shivapanchakashari mantra and the significance of sacred ash to Goddess Parvati. She was momentarily distracted by the beauty of a dancing peacock. When Shiva noticed it he cursed her to become a peahen. To get relieved of the curse he advised her to go to earth and perform penance. She worshiped Lord Shiva at this place as a peahen under the Punnaga tree. Pleased with her penance, Lord Shiva relieved her from the curse and named her Shri Karpagambal. As Lord Shiva appeared under the Punnaga tree he is praised as Punnaivananathar. In the temple we come across the shrine where Goddess Parvati is depicted as a peahen worshiping Lord Shiva under a Punnaga tree.
Once Lord Brahma disrespected Lord Shiva by his arrogant behavior. To teach him a lesson and remove his arrogance Lord Shiva cut off one of the five heads of Lord Brahma. He held the skull (kapal) in his hand. Hence he is praised as Kapaleeshwarar and the place got the name Kapaleecharam.
Before waging war with demon Surapadman, Lord Muruga did penance at this place. Pleased with his penance Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati blessed him and gave him power (shakti) to conquer the demon. After defeating the demon Lord Muruga came back to this place as Shingarvelan. The demon Surapadman became the mount (peacock) for Lord Muruga. Lord Indra gave his daughter Deivanai in marriage to victorious Lord Muruga. Lord Indra’s mount Airavat could not bear the separation of Deivanai and chose to stay with her. Hence in this temple we find the consorts of Lord Muruga seating on elephant.
The temple is closely associated with the Purana of Saint Sambandhar and AngamPoomPavai. This is the place where Dnyanasambandhar brought her back to life.
Vayilar Nayanar was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. He did manaspuja of Lord Shiva as he had passed the stage of rupa worship. Finally he attained salvation by the grace of Lord Shiva. The inclusion of Vayilar Nayanar in 63 Nayanmars highlights the fact that devotion can be of any type. It establishes the fact that idol worship is not only the way for salvation.
Those who worshiped at this place:
Saint Sambandhar, Lord Shriram, Vedas, planet Shukra, Sage Kashyap, Lord Muruga, Vayila Nayanar
2. Lord Muruga worshiped Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati before going to war against Surapadman.
3. At this place Lord Brahma lost his ego and regained his power of creation.
4. At this place four Vedas worshiped Lord Shiva.
5. The place is praised as Shukrapuri as planet Shukracharya worshiped at this place.
6. Shri Ram worshiped Lord Shiva at this place on his way to Shri Lanka.
7. At this place shaiva saint Sambandhar brought back to life AnagamPoomPavai from ashes and bones.
8. This is the birthplace of one of the Nayanmars namely Vayilar Nayanar.
Shrine of Shri Narthana Ganapati:
This is the first shrine as soon as we enter from the east.
Shrine of Shri Annamalayar and Shri UnnamalaiAmmai (Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati):
Ambika is facing south and we can have darshan through a small window. But a huge mirror helps us to have good darshan of Ambika.
Shrine of Shri Shingarvelar (Lord Muruga):
In this shrine we come across the idol of Shri Shingarvelar seated on his mount Peacock along with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. He has six heads and twelve hands holding different weapons. His consorts are seated on elephants. This is a very unique shrine as we have never seen or heard of Lord Shanmukha depicted in this manner. At the entrance of the shrine we have Dwarapalakas and Dhwajastambha. Saint Arunagirinadar has composed a few hymns on Lord Shingarvelar of this temple. Opposite to this shrine we have the shrine of Saint Arunagirinathar.
Shrine of Shri PalaniAndavar and Vayilar Nayanar shrine:
To the left of Lord Subramanya’s shrine we come across a mandap in which we find the Sannidhi of Shri PalaniAndavar and Vayilar Nayanar.
Next to the PalaniAndavar shrine there is a twelve pillar mandap which has a stucco image of Lord Sarabheshwarar. Adjacent to this mandap we have a Vedamandap and an Unjal (swing) mandap.
Shri Karpagambika shrine:
Devi is housed in south facing shrine on the western side of the parikrama. It is to the right of Lord Shiva’s shrine. The idol of Ambika is very beautiful. According to purana, Goddess Parvati did penance in this place in the form of Peahen. Hence the name of the place is Mylapore. As per the tradition, Devi wears a garland of Gold coins during the Friday puja. At the entrance of her shrine we find her mount, the lion, facing the sanctum. On the inner walls of the sanctum we find a collection of hymns etched (inscribed) on the walls.
We also come across a shrine of Goddess Parvati under the kshetra vruksha Punnaga tree in the form of Peahen worshiping Lord Shiva.
Shri Kapaleeshwarar Shrine:
There are Dwarapalakas at the entrance to the sanctum. Lord Shiva is a Swayambhu linga facing the east. Inside the shrine we feel calm and composed. The miracles performed by Lord Shiva at this place are explained in various hymns inside the sanctum. At the entrance to the shrine there is a Nandi facing the sanctum.
As we do pradakshina in the inner prakaram we come across the following.
In the north prakara, we come across shrine of Lord Subramanya with his consorts, bronze idol of Lord Nataraja and Goddess Shivagamsundari, Sage Patanjali, Sage Vyaghrapada, Sage Manikavacharar, Goddess Durga Devi, Gomukh, Lord Chandikeshwarar, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Brahma, Goddess Saraswati, 63 nayanmars,
In the east prakaram, we come across, Lord Lingodbhavar, Nagalingas, Shaiva Saints Nalava.
In the south parikrama,we come across, Shrine of Lord Dakshinamurti, Shrine of Lord Selva Ganapati, Shrine of Somaskanda.
Finally we come across on a silver platform utsav murtis of Lord Kapaleeshwarar and Goddess Karpagambal. Near Lord Kapaleeshwarar shrine we come across Lord Anjaneya on a pillar.
Opposite to Lord Kapaleeshwarar shrine we find a dhwajastambha where we prostrate and do Namaskar.
Next to this Lord Shiva’s shrine, we find AngamPoomPavai and Saiva saint Sambandhar’s shrine (we have given in details of kshetra purana in our earlier blogs).
There is a separate shrine for Lord Shanishwarar. Besides this we have shrine of Navagraha, Jagadeeshwarar and Lord Chandikeshwar. There is a Shiva linga which was worshiped by Shukracharya (planet shukra).
From the southern side we can have darshan of Rajagopuram.
Prayers:
Devotees worship Lord Shiva for peace of mind. It is believed that having darshan and worshiping Lord Shiva on Thaipusam day one gets salvation and eternal bliss. Devotees believe that worshiping Goddess Karpagambal eradicates all diseases, gets child boon, removes obstacles in marriage and brings peace and prosperity.
Daily pujas are performed six times in a day. Besides this, pradosha puja and special puja on Tamil and English new years are also held.
Fortnightly pujas on new moon and full moon days.
Festivals:
Though almost all the festivals associated with Lord Shiva are held we mention a few important ones
Chitrai (Apr-May): Chaitra pournima
Aani (June-July): Thiru manjanam
Aadi (July-August): Aadi Puram
Purattasi (September-October): Navaratri nine days
Aipassi (October-November): Skandashashthi festival six days
Karthigai (November-December): Thiru Karthigai deepam, special worship on Mondays of Karthigai
Maragazhi (December-January): Thiruvathirai
Thai (January-February): Float festival known Theppam, Thaipusam
Masi (February-March): Mahashivaratri, Masimagham,
Panguni (March-April): Brahmotsav for 10 days, last day ends with marriage of Lord Kapaleeshwarar and Goddess Karpagambal.
During the 10 day festival, idols of 63 Nayanmars are taken in procession with lakhs of people.
About Thaipusam festival:
This is the day on which Lord Shiva performed cosmic dance in presence of Goddess Parvati, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Sage Vyaghrapada, Sage Patanjali and brahmins at Chidambaram. A float festival is held in the temple tank during which Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shingarvelar grace the devotees. On this day abhishek is done with honey for Lord Shiva.
Timings: 5 am to 12.30 pm, 4 to 9.30 pm
Address: Shri Kapaleeshwarar temple
North Mada street, Mylapore Chennai 600004
Courtesy: from various blogs
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