Kapaleeshwarar Temple / Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple / Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple / Mylapore Shivan Temple, மயிலாப்பூர் கபாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 24^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu at Mylapore a part of Chennai City. This temple is also one of the Saptha Sthana Shiva Sthalangal in and around Mylapore, Chennai, and Thiruvaiyaru.

The name of Mylapore from Ancient times...

Mylapore has been called in different names since ancient times.  Initially, it was called a Myilapur and later corrupted to Mayilai.  Mayil + Aarppu + Oor means peacock makes the sound. The experts are of the opinion that  “Maliyarpa”  mentioned in a book written by  Thalami, ( 119 – 161 CE ) a geologist, is only Mylapore. Thirumizhisai Alwar, who is believed to have lived in the 5^th Century mentioned as “Mamayilai”.  In the 7^th Century, the same was referred to as “Mayilapi, Mayilarppu”, by Appar and  Thirugnanasambandar refers to “Mayilai”. The 8^th Century Thirumangai alwar called Mayilai, Mamayilai, and Sundarar Thonmayilai. Nandhikalambagam refers as Mayilai and Mayilapuri. During the Pallava King Kambavarman period, this place was called “Mayilarpil”. The 12th-century inscriptions mention this place as “Mayilai, Mylapil, Thirumayilapuri, Thirumayilai, Tholmayilapuri, Mayilapur”. The 14^th Century John De Marignoli, a foreign traveler mentions – Myropolis. The 15^th Century Arunagirinathar mentions “Mayilai” in his Thirupukazh. The 16^th Century Turate Barbasa is mentioned as “Mylapora- City of Mylapore” and Portuguese called as – Meliyapur and the same was called Milapur in the 17^th Century. Fr. Antrea Lopeys mentions as Mylapore 

The Puranas also refer to Mylapore as Punna Vanam, Vedanagar, Sukrapuri, Brahmapuram, and Skandapuri. Sekkizhar describes Sivanesan Chettiyar and his daughter Poompavai’s death and waiting for Thirugananasambandar’s arrival to Mylapore in a palanquin after the darshan of  Lord Shiva of Thiruvottiyur.   

காழி நாடரும் கதிர்மணிச் சிவிகை நின்று இழிந்து

சூழ்இரும்பெருண்தொண்டர் முன்தொழுது எழுந்தருளி

வாழிமாதவர் வணிகர் செய்திறம் சொலக்கேட்டே

ஆழிசூழ் மயிலாபுரித் திருநகர் அணைந்தார் 

After Thirugnanasambandar arrived in Mylapore, he was told about Sivanesan Chettiyar, a big merchant, and the death of his daughter, due to a snake bite. When She was alive, her father told to all his relatives that he would give his daughter with all his wealth to Thirugnanasambandar. After her death, she was cremated, and the remains of bone & ash were kept in a pot.  After hearing all the stories, Thirugnanasambandar asked Sivanesan to bring the pot. near the compound wall of the temple, at the western entrance. Here Sekkizhar writes that, if it is true that, Poompavai prayed Lord Shiva with Naivedyam and had seen the celebrations of Lord Shiva, then come alive from the pot.

மண்ணில் பிறந்தார் பெறும் பயன்மதிசூடும்

அண்ணலார் அடியார்தமை அமுது செய்வித்தல்

கண்ணினால் அவர்நல்விழாப் பொலிவு கண்டு ஆர்தல்

உணமை ஆம்எனில் உலகர்முன் வருகஎன உரைப்பார்

Thirugnanasambandar has sung the hymns mainly describe the functions like feeding food for the Rudras, Puratasi Thiruvizha, Ipasi month Thiruvona Thiruvizha, Karthikai Deepa Thiruvizha, Markazhi Thiruvizha, Vaikasi Oonjal Thiruvizha, Perum Shanthi Thiruvizha. He asks Poompavai without seeing all these functions will you go...?

    

மட்டிட புன்னையங் கானல் மடமயிலைக்

கட்டிட்டங் கொண்டான் கபாலீச்சரம் அமர்ந்தான்

ஒட்டிட்ட பண்பின் உருத்திர பல்கணத்தார்க்கு

அட்டிடல் காணாதே போதியோ பூம்பாவாய்

At the end of the hymns, Poompavai came alive and Sivanesan asked him to marry her. In turn, Thirugnanasambandar said that with the grace of Lord Shiva came alive through his hymns, and from that he became her father and declined Sivanesan’s request.

Poompavai Sannadhi is first on the left after Rajagopuram

The place where Poompavai came alive

Poompavai sannadhi

Thirunavukkarasu Swamikal also mentions Mylapore as ‘மங்குல மதி தவழும் மாட வீதி மயிலாப்பில்".. in but the original hymn was lost. In Tiruvottiyur temple hymns, he mentions Mylapore, and the same is reproduced ... 

     கடிய விடையேறிக் காள கண்டர்

                கலையோடு மழுவாளோர் கையி லேந்தி

        இடிய பலிகொள்ளார் போவா ரல்லர்

                எல்லாந்தா நிவ்வடிகள் யாரென் பாரே

        வடிவுடைய மங்கையுந் தாமு மெல்லாம்

                வருவாரை யெதிர்கண்டோம் மயிலாப் புள்ளே

        செடிபடு வெண்டலையொன் றேந்தி வந்து

                திருவொற்றி யூர்புக்கார் தீய வாறே

Moolavar  : Sri Kapaleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Karpagambal.

Lord Shiva Kapaleeswarar & Karpagambal

Some of the important details of this temple are.....

The temple faces west with a three-tier Rajagopuram and a 7 tier Rajagopuram. Vinayagar Sannadhi is on the east side  after the entrance. The temple tank with a Neerazhi mandapam is on the west side. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are after the west side of Rajagopuram. In Koshtam Durgai, Brahama, Lingothbavar, Dakshinamurthy, and Selvaganapathy. 

In the Inner praharam murtis of Singaravelavar, Natarajar, Sivakami, Karkambal, Somaskandar Urchava deities, 63var ( in metal ) in two rows, Saraswati, Durga, Lakshmi, Shiva Lingangas, Veerabadra, Naalvar, Santhanakuravars (Umapathi Sivam, Maraignana Sivam, Arunantha Sivam, Meikanda Sivam). Pollapilayar, 63 vars in stone.

In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Arunagirinathar, Thirugnanasambandar & Angampoombavai, Punnaivananathar, Sundareswarar, Navagrahas, Shiva Linga, Narthana Vinayagar, Annamalaiyar, Singaravelar, Pazhani Andavar, Vaayilar Nayanar. There is a big mandapam and a 4 Pillar mandapam on the south side to conduct functions.

There is a separate temple for Murugan on the south corridor / Prahara. It is believed that the original temple existed in the same place. Shiva temple was a reconstructed one. Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple.

    அமரு மமரரினி லதிக நயனுமரி

        யவரும் வெருவவரு                                    மதிகாளம்

    அதனை யதகரண விதன பரிபுரண

        மமைய னவர்கரண                                   அகிலேச

    நிமிர வருள்சரண நிபிட மதெனவுன

        நிமிர சமிரமய                                            நியமாய

    நிமிட மதனிலுண வலசி  வசுதவர

        நினது பதவிபர                                            வருவாயே

    சமர சமரசுர அசுர விதரபர

        சரத விரத அயில்                                         விடுவோனே 

    தகுர் த தகுர் த ததிகு திகுர்த திகுர்ததிகு

        தரர ரரரரிரி                                               தகுர்தாத

    எமர நடனவித  மயிலின் முதுகில்வரு

        மிமைய மகள் குமர                                     எமதீச

    இயலி னியல் மயிலை நகரி லினி துறையு

        மெமது பரகுரவ                                            பெருமாளே

   

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The adhistanam is of simple pada bandha adhistanam with three patta Kumudam. The prastaram consists of valapi, Kapotam, and Viyyalavari is not visible. A two-tier nagara - Vesara Vimanam is above the sanctum sanctorum. 

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the Temple Sthala Purana Book, this temple was originally at the place where the Santhome Basilica exists, during the 15^th Century it was destroyed by the Portuguese, and during the 16^th Century by Mayilai Nattu Nayiniappa Mudaliyar’s son Muthiyappa Mudaliyar constructed this temple. As per the inscriptions available from various temples, the original temple existed during Pallava King Kampa Varman period.

  

The majority of the inscriptions found in this temple belong to the temples of Thiruvanmiyur, Thiruidaichuram, and Thiruvadisoolam temples. These inscription stones were brought from the above Temples, during reconstruction. Please note that at one period all the temples were completely looted destroyed/demolished during Muslim/ Portuguese invasions. Interestingly a floor stone at Murugan temple with inscription belongs to British Tomb.

There are different opinions about the construction of this temple. Some experts believe that the original temple was at the place where the Santhome Basilica exists now, since Thirugnanasambandar, in his hymn, mentions that the sea was very near to the temple. To prove the same some of the Chozha period, Murugan with Peacock, Nagas are unearthed in a garden/coconut grove that belongs to Basilica. A fragment of Pillar stone belonging to the Rajaraja Chozha period is on the display at Basilica Museum and the display mentions this was unearthed during the excavation of that Basilica. In 1923, an excavation done at St Thomas Basilica by the Archaeological Department unearthed an inscription stone that records the endowment of lighting a perpetual lamp to Mylapore Eechwaramudayar Koothadu Devar ( Natarajar ). This was mentioned in “Antiquities from Santhome and Mylapore” by Rev. H Hosten. The excavation was abandoned further.

The 9^th Century Kambavarman period inscription at Thiruvottiyur Artha mandapam floor stone records the endowment of lighting a perpetual lamp and paid 15 Kalanju gold by a person Mylapore Iraiyanchery Vemban Kununganaman. Another 11th-century inscription at Ponneri Kattur temple records the assembly of Nanadesikan alias sea Merchants.  This shows that during the 9^th Century Mylapore was under the Pallava dynasty.

An inscription stone found at St Thomas Mount Nuns madam/Hostel canteen’s dining hall, steps side wall records the donation of the taxes to the Angampoompavai’s shrine.

A Grantha inscription stone found on the east side wall of Santhome Basilica belongs to the 12^th Century, and records that the Sanctum Sanctorum and the rest of the buildings belong to Mylapore Shiva and Parvati Temple.

A fragment inscription stone found on the steps of Triplicane Parthasarathy Temple tank mentions the name as .. Thirupoompavai...

The 1896 CE inscription stone at the entrance of sanctum Sanctorum records that Thirumylapore Rakkiyappa Mudaliyar Street No 4, Subbaraya Mudaliyar’s son Arumuga Mudaliyar gave the gift of his garden and House to this temple, to conduct 1^st day of Brahmotsavam, morning and evening poojas, Naivedyam and in night Naivedyam of pepper rice (Mlakamuthu) and the same to be distributed to those who came on pilgrimage yathra. In addition to this, he also donated Rs 3000, worth of Rathna kodi ( flag..?).

On the back side wall of Karpakambal Sannadhi Sundara Pandya’s period inscription records the gift of land to this temple. These inscription stones belong to the Thirisoolam / Tirusulam Shiva temple. 

An inscription stone of the 13^th Century found at Virupatcheeswarar Temple, south wall of the sanctum sanctorum mentions Thirupoompavai Nayanar and 5 Merchants.

The temple tank is situated on a Muslin burial ground. The tank was excavated in three days, about 300 years before. As per the hearsay, A Dubasi Mayilai Nattar Mudaliyar  ( A relative of  Pammal Sambanda Mudaliyar ? ) with the permission of Arcot Nawab, excavated this Temple tank, when all the Muslims away to attend a festival ( Urus ) at Pallavaram. From the sthala purana book, Pammal Sambanda Mudaliyar was holding a Cheppu Pattaya in this connection. This was revealed by his son and the actual agreement is not known.

This inscription is at Santhome Madha Temple, on the east side. The 12th Centiry inscription records the endowment of burying a sandhi lamp at Koothaduthevar sannidhi ( Nataraja Sannidhi ). The inscription is recorded in Chennai Managara Kalvettukkal by Dr Nagaswamy.

மயிலாப்பூர் ஈச்சரமுடையார் கோயிலில் கூத்தாடுந்தேவர்க்கு ஒரு சந்தி விளக்கு எரிய வைப்ப்தற்காக இறையிலி நிலம் அளித்ததைக் குறிக்கின்றது. 

 At the entrance of the west side, Rajagopuram paved as a stepstone 

இக்கல்வெட்டு இக்கோயிலைச் சேர்ந்ததல்ல. திிரிசூலம் என்று இப்போது வழங்கும் ஊரில் பண்டு இருந்த சிவன்கோயிலின் கல்வெட்டுத் துண்டுதான் இது. திரிசூலத்தின் பழம்பெயர் திருச்சுரம் என்பதாகும். இறைவன் பெயர் திருச்சுரமுடைய நாயனார். கல்வெட்டில் வரும் ”குலோத்துங்க...” என்னும் தொடர் குலோத்துங்க சோழவளநாட்டைக் குறிக்கும். இது புலியூர்க்கோட்டத்தி்ன் சிறப்புப்பெயர். சென்னைப்பகுதிகள் புலியூர்க்கோட்டத்தில் இருந்தன. திருச்சுரமுடைய நாயனாருக்கு முப்பது பசுக்கள் கொடையளிக்கப்பட்டதைக் கல்வெட்டு கூறுகிறது. ( Thanks Sir Dorai Sundaram ) This inscription stone was belongs to Thirisoolam Shiva temple.

 This inscription stone was placed upside down 

படத்தில் உள்ள கல்வெட்டு வரிகள்: வரி 

1- கொண்டான் மடத்துக்கு மடப்புறமாக இன்னா - 

2 யங்களும் ஆசுவிகள் பேராற்

3-செல்வதாகச்சொன்னோம்

4-பான் கெங்கைக்(க)கரை

5-ரக்ஷை 

விரதங்கொண்டான் என்னும் பெயரில் இருந்த மடத்துக்கு மானியமாக அனைத்து ஆயங்களின் (வரிகள்) வருமானமும், ஊர்க்காவல் புரியும் வீரர்களுக்காக வாங்கும் வரியின் வருமானமும் அளிக்கப்பட்டன. ஆசுவிகள் என்போர் ஊர்க்காவலில் ஈடுபட்ட வீரர்கள். ( Thanks to Sir, Dorai Sundaram ) This inscription speaks about the donation made to the  for the security personnel of a village. 

A Portuguese  tomb cover stone with inscriptions  –Murugan Sannidhi Mukha mandapam 

The east Rajagopuram was built in 1902 CE. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1902, 27^th June 1948, 8^th July 1982,  and in recent times 3^rd April 2016 also.

LEGEND: 

There is a story behind Thirugnanasambandar and Angampoompavai. Angampoompavai came alive from the ashes to Thirugnanasambandar’s hymn which was already explained.

In Another Legend at Mount Kailash, when Lord Shiva was explaining the Pranava mantra, Ma Parvati was not attentive and was looking at a Peacock dance. Lord Shiva cursed her to give birth to a peahen at Bhulok. Ma Parvati took the birth of Peahen and worshipped Lord Shiva. Hence this place is being called Mylapore. 

As per another Legend, when the Lord was preaching  to the creation of this universe, Brahma with 5 heads, was not attentive, and he didn’t give respect to Lord Shiva since he also has 5 heads. Knowing this Lord Shiva pinched out the 5^th head of Brahma. The pinched head sticks to Shiva’s hand and he has to roam with Kapala in his hand. Brahma requests Lord Shiva to pardon him. Lord Shiva asked to worship him at this place. Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva and got the boon of the creation of this universe. Hence Lord Shiva is called Kapaleeswarar.     

POOJAS  & CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, there will be a festival every month which includes, 10 days of Panguni Peru Vizha ( annual Brahmotsavam, in which 63 var festival will be a grand one  ) in ( March April ), Pradosham, New moon day, Full moon day, Deepavali, Navaratri, Mahashivaratri, Theppotsavam, Nayanmar’s Nakshatra Vizha, Thirunavukkarasar Kattamudhu Vizha, Thirukkarthikai, Thai Mahasankaranthi & Pongal, Thai Poosam, Markazhi Thiruvizha, Arudhra Dharshan, and Masimagam.

63 var Thiruvizha - Naalvar is in palanquin

63 var Thiruvizha- Naalvar is in palanquin

63 var Thiruvizha

63 var Thiruvizha

63 var Thiruvizha

Temple chariot festival

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS : 

The temple will be kept open between 05.30 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs 

CONTACT DETAILS: 

The landline number is 044 2464 1670. 

The website is www.mylaikapaleewarar.tnhrce.in and 

the e-mail address  is mylaikapaleeswarar@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH :

Town buses are available from various parts of the city.

The temple is 6.4 km from Chennai Central, 15 km from Chennai Airport, and 13 km from Koyambedu.

The Nearest Railway station is Thirumayilai MRTS and Junction is Chennai Central.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Vinayagar Sannidhi on the east side entrance 

Murugan sannidhi

Mandapam

West side Rajagopuram

Sarabeswarar

Vayalar Nayanar

Vayalar Nayanar

Jala

16 pillar mandapam

The temple tank with Neerazhi mandapam

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---