Kapaleeswarar Temple, Chennai, is one of the prominent Shiva temples in India, situated in Mylapore, Chennai. Lord Shiva had worshipped Kapaleeswar [self-manifested] and Goddess Shakthi [Uma] as Karpagambal. The Kapaleeswarar Temple morning timings are 05:00 am to 12:00 pm, and the evening timings are 05:00 pm to 09:00 pm.
The significant Temple had been mentioned in the Thevaram hymns of the well-known Shaivite saints, Saint Sambandar and Saint Appar. The Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu administers and maintains the Temple.
Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai History:
Contents
- 1 Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai History:
- 1.0.1 Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai Timings:
- 1.0.2 Best time to visit Kapaleeswarar Temple:
- 1.0.3 Temple Entry Fee:
- 1.0.4 Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai Special Sevas Timings:
- 1.0.5 Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai Sevas Ticket Costs:
- 1.0.6 Kapaleeshwarar Temple Chennai Panguni Peruvizha Festival Schedule:
- 1.0.7 Famous Festivals at Kapaleeswarar Temple:
- 1.0.8 Tourist places near the Temple:
- 1.0.9 Hotels near the Temple:
- 1.0.10 Kapaleeswarar Temple Address & Contact Number:
- 1.0.11 How to reach Kapaleeswarar Temple:
- 1.0.12 FAQs:
- 1.1 Why is Kapaleeshwarar Temple famous?
- 1.2 What are the darshan timings of Kapaleeswarar Temple, Chennai?
- 1.3 Where is the original Kapaleeswarar Temple?
- 1.4 What is the history of Kapaleshwar?
- 1.5 Which metro station is near the Kapaleeshwar Temple in Chennai?
- 1.6 Can we do a marriage in Kapaleeswarar Temple?
- 1.7 When was the Kapaleeswarar temple built?
According to the legend, Goddess Karpagambal [Uma] wished to know the meaning of the five-lettered divine mantra “Na Ma Shi Va Ya”. She pleaded with Lord Shiva to teach her the true meaning of the mantra and the significance of sacred ash. He agreed, and once while he was teaching the same to Uma Devi, her eyes fell upon a beautiful peahen dancing, and she lost her concentration.
Lord Shiva, displeased by her, cursed her to become a peahen. To free herself from the curse, she had asked to go to Earth and do penance for him. Therefore, the Goddess Karpagambal worshipped the Shivalinga under the Punnai tree where the Temple stands.
Pleased by her devotion, Lord Shiva freed the Goddess from the curse, and she regained her original form. It is how the place came to be known as Mylapore [Mail – Peahen], where Goddess Karpagambal, in her peahen form, worshipped the Shivalinga and freed herself from the curse.
Kapaleeswarar Temple is famous. Many tales prove the significance of this Temple. Lord Muruga, son of Lord Shiva, visited this Temple and worshipped him and his mother, Goddess Uma [Karpagambal], before heading to war with an Asura [demon] named Surapadman. He received the Shaktivel here at this Temple, a powerful divine weapon his mother gave to fight the Asura.
Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai Timings:
The Temple morning timings are 05:00 am to 12:00 pm, and the evening timings are 05:00 pm to 09:00 pm.
| Days | Morning Timings | Evening Timings |
| Monday | 5 am to 12 pm | 5 pm to 9 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 am to 12 pm | 5 pm to 9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 am to 12 pm | 5 pm to 9 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am to 12 pm | 5 pm to 9 pm |
| Friday | 5 am to 12 pm | 5 pm to 9 pm |
| Saturday | 5 am to 12 pm | 5 pm to 9 pm |
| Sunday | 5 am to 12 pm | 5 pm to 9 pm |
Best time to visit Kapaleeswarar Temple:
Kapaleeswarar’s important religious site can be visited anytime during the year; however, if you want to witness the grand Spring festival, you must plan your tour between mid-March and mid-April. Travellers prefer to visit Chennai from November to March to avoid the sweltering heat experienced during the rest of the year.
Temple Entry Fee:
There are no entry fees to pay to visit the Temple.
Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai Special Sevas Timings:
Some particular sevas timings are here.
| Sevas Name | Sevas Timings |
| Ardhajama Pooja | 09:00 pm to 09:45 pm |
| Kalasandhi Seva | 08:00 am to 10:00 pm |
| Ko Pooja | 05:30 am to 06:00 am |
| Sayaraksha Pooja | 04:00 pm to 06:30 pm |
| Uchikkala Seva | 11:00 am to 12:30 pm |
| Ushakala poojai | 06:30 pm to 07:30 pm |
| Vaikarai Pooja | 06:00 am to 07:00 am |
Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai Sevas Ticket Costs:
Temple sevas ticket costs are here
| Sevas Name | Sevas Ticket Costs |
| Karpagambal Abishegam | Rs. 900 |
| Durgai Abishegam | Rs. 900 |
| Narthana Vinayagar | Rs. 800 |
| Angampoombavai | Rs. 900 |
| Arunagirinathar Abishegam | Rs. 700 |
| Jagadeeswarar Abishegam | Rs. 900 |
| Durga Lakshmi Abishegam | Rs. 500 |
| Nandhikeeshwarar Abishegam | Rs. 900 |
| Narthana Vinayagar Abishegam | Rs. 900 |
| Palani Andavar Abishegam | Rs. 800 |
| Kapaleeswarar Abishegam | Rs. 900 |
| 11Kalasa Ruthirabishegam | Rs. 2700 |
| Golden Chariot | Rs. 1501 |
| Dakshanamoorthi | Rs. 900 |
| Singaravelar | Rs. 600 |
| Vaayalar Nayannar Abishegam | Rs. 900 |
| Bairavar Abishegam | Rs. 900 |
| 108 Silver Lotus Archanai | Rs. 300 |
| Thanga Pavadai | Rs. 750 |
Kapaleeshwarar Temple Chennai Panguni Peruvizha Festival Schedule:
Kapaleeshwarar Temple Panguni Festival will be held as below
1st Day:
- Grama Devatha Sri Kolavizhi Amman Vazhipadu
- Mrithsangrihanam, Angurarpanam
- Sri Narthana Vinayagar Velli Mooshika Vahanam
2nd Day:
- Kodiyetram (Flag Hoisting)
- Ambal Mayil Vadivil Siva Pujai Kaatchi
Day 3:
- Suriya Vattam
- Chandira Vattam
4th Day:
- Adhikara Nandi
- Bhootan, Bhutanki Vahanam
5th Day:
- Purushamirugam, Singam Vahanam
- Nagam, Kamadhenu Vahanam
Day 6:
- Sowdal Vimanam
- Vellividai Vahanam (Silver Rishaba Vahanam)
7thDay:
- Pallakku Vizha
- Yaanai Vahanam
Famous Festivals at Kapaleeswarar Temple:
Ten-day Panguni Peruvizha in March or April, including celebrations for 63 Saivite saints, drawing a massive crowd in the Temple, is usually huge on New Moon, Full Moon, and Pradosha days. Some Shiva-related festivals are observed in the Temple each month.
Tourist places near the Temple:
- Santhome Cathedral Basilica
- Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple, Tiruvallikeni
- Arulmigu Marundeeswarar Temple
- Marina Beach
- Akhilandeshwari Temple
- Arulmigu Vadapalani Murugan Temple
- Thousand Light Shia Mosque
- Guindy National Park
- Mangadu Temple
- Akkaraipatti Saibaba Temple
- Edward Eliots Beach
- Arignar Anna Zoological Park
- Vivekananda House
Hotels near the Temple:
- Clarion Hotel President
- The Park Chennai
- Savera Hotel
- Raj Park Chennai
- E Hotel
- Regenta Central Deccan
- New Woodlands Hotel
- La Woods Hotel
- Hotel Ammu Palace
Kapaleeswarar Temple Address & Contact Number:
- Ramakrishna Mutt Rd, Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004
- Contact Number: +91 44 24641670
How to reach Kapaleeswarar Temple:
By Road:
Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus is near the Temple.
By Rail:
Chennai Central Railway Station is nearly 8 km from Mylapore, where Kapaleeswarar Temple is located.
By Air:
The Chennai International Airport is the closest airport to the Temple.
FAQs:
Why is Kapaleeshwarar Temple famous?
The Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva, located in Mylapore, Chennai, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The form of Shiva’s partner, Parvati, worshipped at this Temple, is called Karpagambal.
What are the darshan timings of Kapaleeswarar Temple, Chennai?
Gracious Temple is open from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 9 pm. There are no entry fees to pay to visit the Temple.
Where is the original Kapaleeswarar Temple?
The Temple is one of the ancient temples in Chennai, Mylapore, Tamil Nadu. Kapaleeswarar Temple was built in the seventh century, and Lord Shiva was the main god.
What is the history of Kapaleshwar?
According to the legends, the Temple was where god Shiva performed expiation after taking a sacred dip in Ramkund to wash off his sins. There’s no Nandi statue in the Temple because god Shiva regarded Nandi as a coach or teacher; hence, there is no Nandi to guard the Kailashnath Temple.
Which metro station is near the Kapaleeshwar Temple in Chennai?
The Mundakanni Amman Kovil, Mrts Station, is nearest to Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, Tiruvallikken.
Can we do a marriage in Kapaleeswarar Temple?
The most popular is the age-old Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, which makes for a fantastic wedding venue. The temple complex has a mandap and can host up to 100 people.
When was the Kapaleeswarar temple built?
The Temple was built in the seventh century, and Lord Shiva was the main god. In 1906, the gopuram (gate tower), with a height of 120ft, was built for the Temple in a well-defined architecture.
