{"id":371,"date":"2017-11-19T14:50:54","date_gmt":"2017-11-19T09:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/blog\/?p=371"},"modified":"2017-11-19T14:50:54","modified_gmt":"2017-11-19T09:20:54","slug":"kapaaleeshwarar-temple-mylapore-chennai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/2017\/11\/19\/kapaaleeshwarar-temple-mylapore-chennai\/","title":{"rendered":"Kapaaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Kapaleeshwarar<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Name of the Temple<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kapal\u012b\u015bhwarar temple<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Location<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mylapore, a suburb of\u00a0Chennai\u00a0in the\u00a0Indian\u00a0state of\u00a0Tamil N\u0101\u1e0du<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rulers\/builders and Time Period<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>The commonly held view is that the temple was built in the 7th century CE by the ruling\u00a0Pallavas.This view is based on references to the temple in the hymns of the\u00a0Nayanmars\u00a0(which, however, place it by a sea shore). Thirugnanasambandar’s 6th song in Poompavaipathikam and Arunagirinathar’s 697th song in Thirumylai Thirupugazh, make clear reference to the Kapal\u012b\u015bhwarar temple being located on the seashore in Mylapore.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The architecture of the temple, however, appears to be 300\u2013400 years old.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The scholarly view that accounts for the discrepancies is that the original temple was built on the shore at the location of the current Santhome Church\u00a0but was destroyed by the Portuguese and the current temple (which is 1-1.5\u00a0km from the shore) was built by the\u00a0Vijayanagar\u00a0kings during the 16th century.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The temple’s 120\u00a0ft\u00a0gopuram<\/em>\u00a0(gateway tower) was built during 1906 with staccato figures adorning it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Deity\/Deities<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is a temple of\u00a0\u015ahiva\u00a0. The form of \u015ahiva’s wife\u00a0P\u0101rvathi\u00a0worshipped at this temple is called Karpag\u0101mb\u0101l<\/em> (from Tamil, “Goddess of the Wish-Yielding Tree”).<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Presiding deity \u2013 Kapal\u012b\u015bhwarar. Goddess – Karpagavalli.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Navagraha and \u015ahaivite N\u0101yanm\u0101rs are consecrated in a separate enclosure.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lord \u015ahan\u012b\u015bhwarar is also installed in a separate sanctum sanctorum.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Architecture Style<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Kapal\u012b\u015bhwarar temple is of typical\u00a0Dravidian architectural\u00a0style, with the\u00a0gopuram<\/em>\u00a0overpowering the street on which the temple sits.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This temple is also a testimonial for the\u00a0vishwakarmas\u00a0sthapathis<\/em>. There are two entrances to the temple marked by the\u00a0gopuram<\/em>\u00a0on either side. The east\u00a0gopuram<\/em>\u00a0is about 40 m high, while the smaller western gopuram faces the sacred\u00a0tank.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The\u00a0vahana<\/em>s (Sanskrit\u00a0for “vehicles”) at the temple include the\u00a0bull, Adhhik\u0101ranandhi,\u00a0elephant,\u00a0bandicoot,\u00a0peacock,\u00a0goat\u00a0and\u00a0parrot, while a golden chariot is a recent addition. Statues of the god and the goddess are seated on a\u00a0v\u0101hana<\/em>, which is brought in a procession around the temple while the temple band plays music. Devotees gather around the\u00a0v\u0101hanas<\/em>\u00a0and consider it a privilege to pull \/ lift the God and the Goddess on the\u00a0v\u0101hana<\/em>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Other Special Features<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This sacred spot is also called Vedhapuri. A demon Somuka wanted to learn Vedhas and harassed the celestial beings. He snatched the Vedhas and disappeared\u00a0in the sea.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u015ahiva, directed Mah\u0101vi\u1e63h\u1e47u to\u00a0restore\u00a0the Vedhas. Accordingly Mah\u0101vi\u1e63h\u1e47u killed the demon and restored the Vedhas which was taken to this temple. Since the Vedhas were brought to this place it is called Vedhapuri.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lord Mah\u0101vi\u1e63h\u1e47u disguised as a poor Brahmin appeared before King Mah\u0101bali and asked for three feet of earth \u2013M\u016bndru a\u1e0di ma\u1e47. The king\u00a0readily agreed to this and took out his kaman\u1e0dala to pour water on earth as a token of granting the request. But his minister, Guru \u015ahukr\u0101ch\u0101rya knew the identity of\u00a0the poor\u00a0Brahmin and dissuaded\u00a0the king\u00a0from granting the land.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The king\u00a0turned a deaf ear to \u015ahukr\u0101ch\u0101rya who took the form of a fly and blocked the nozzle of the kaman\u1e0dala to prevent the flow of water. Mahavi\u1e63h\u1e47u at once pierced the nostril with a darbhha grass to facilitate the flow of water.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In this act \u015ahukr\u0101ch\u0101rya lost one eye and proceeded to Mylapore. His vision was restored and he attained salvation. Thus Mylapore is also called \u015ahukrapuri.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Other Special Remarks<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There is an interesting story linked with the Brahmothsavam of this temple.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sivanesa Chettiar of Mylapore was a staunch devotee of \u015ahiva whose\u00a0daughter Angamp\u016bmp\u0101vai was bitten by a cobra and died. The chettiar after cremating her collected her bones and placed it in an urn. Thirugny\u0101na sambandhar the saint poet who was on a pilgrimage to Mylapore visited Sivanesan Chettiar who narrated the sad tale of his\u00a0daughter\u00a0s death. Thirugny\u0101nasambandhar at once sprinkled the holy water from the temple tank on the urn containing the bones of the girl and miraculously, the girl was brought back to life.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As a token of gratitude Chettiar offered his\u00a0daughter\u00a0in marriage to Thirugny\u0101nasambandhar r who declined saying that since he restored her life she is like his\u00a0daughter. This incident is celebrated during the 8th day of Brahmothsavam.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prado\u1e63ham is observed with piety when devotees throng the temple to have a\u00a0darshan\u00a0of the Lord.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u015ahivar\u0101thri is observed with austerity and special p\u016bj\u0101s are done throughout the night. Aruvathi m\u016bvar which is celebrated during March and April is carnival time.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The weeklong festival attracts devotees from far off places to have a rendezvous with Gods who are taken out in a procession.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Special Reference to Performing Arts:<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There earliest mention about the temple found in 6th century\u00a0Sangam\u00a0literature. The temple and the deity were immortalized in\u00a0Tamil\u00a0poetry in the works of\u00a0Thev\u0101ram.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The 12th century poet, Gu\u1e47av\u012bra Pandithar sings about Nemin\u0101than under Th\u012brth\u0101nkar neminathar pugazh<\/em>. Tirumayilai Prabanthangal<\/em>\u00a0is a compilation of four works on the temple and the deity.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thirugny\u0101na Sambanthar\u00a0has composed the 6th\u00a0P\u016bmp\u0101vai pathigam<\/em>\u00a0in praise of the temple.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arunagiri\u1e47\u0101thar, the 15th century poet, sings praise of the temple in\u00a0Thirumayilai Thirupugazh<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The famous Tamil hymns\u00a0Karunai Deivame Karpagame<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Karpagavalli Nin Porpadhangal Pidithen<\/em>\u00a0were written by poets in praise of the goddess Karpagambal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Bibliography<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kapaleeshwarar_Temple<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/mylaikapaleeswarar.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/chennai\/places-of-interest\/religious-places\/kapaleeswarar-temple.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.templenet.com\/Tamilnadu\/s225.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.saranam.com\/temple\/27\/kapaleeshwar-temple<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.indian-heritage.org\/temple\/kapali.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/chennai.clickindia.com\/tourism\/kapaleeswarartemple.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/chennaionline.com\/Religion\/Temples\/April09\/01Kapaleeswarar-Temple-Mylapore.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thiruneermalai<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.myvigyapan.com\/chennai\/tour-and-travel\/kapaleeswarar-temple.php<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Name of the Temple \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kapal\u012b\u015bhwarar temple Location \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mylapore, a suburb of\u00a0Chennai\u00a0in the\u00a0Indian\u00a0state of\u00a0Tamil N\u0101\u1e0du Rulers\/builders and Time Period \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The commonly held view is that the temple was built in the 7th century CE by the ruling\u00a0Pallavas.This view is based on references to the temple in the hymns of the\u00a0Nayanmars\u00a0(which, however, place it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":372,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[13,14,15,55,56,57,19,58],"class_list":["post-371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cultural-miscellany","tag-eambalam","tag-life-skills-in-schools","tag-lifearteducation","tag-kapaleeshwarar-temple","tag-kapalishvarar-temple","tag-kapalishwarar-koil","tag-life-art-education","tag-mylapore"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=371"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/371\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}