Kapaleeshwarar Temple
கபாலீஸ்வரர் கோவில்
Lord Shiva (Kapaleeshwarar) · Chennai, Tamil Nadu
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About the temple
One of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams; Associated with the Nayanars Fulfilment of wishes, removal of karmic debts
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 05:00 – 21:00
- Established
- 716
- Best time to visit
- Friday evening or during the Arubathimoovar festival
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Shiva (Kapaleeshwarar) · கபாலீஸ்வரர்
- Deity form
- Shiva Lingam; Goddess as "Karpagambal" (Goddess of the Wish-yielding Tree)
- Religious tradition
- Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta
- Sanskrit name
- कपालीश्वर मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Mylapore Shiva Temple, Vedapuri
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 05:00 - 12:00, 16:00 - 21:00
- Break timings
- 12:00 PM to 04:00 PM
- Special days
- Extended during Panguni Uthiram and Pradosham
- Festival timings
- Early morning starts for processions
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 05:30
- Midday aarti
- 11:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:00
- Night aarti
- 21:00
- Special aarti days
- Pradosham days (bi-monthly)
- Ritual schedule
- Six-time daily poojas (Aaru Kaala Pooja)
- Pooja timings
- As per Shiva Agamas
- Abhishek timings
- 06:00 AM onwards
- Special poojas
- Pradosha Pooja, Sahasranama Archana
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Pallavas (Original site); Rebuilt by Vijayanagara Kings
- Construction materials
- Granite, Sandstone, Stucco
- Historical events
- Original temple near sea destroyed by Portuguese; rebuilt inland
- Renovations
- Recent consecration (Kumbhabhishekam) in 2016
- Archaeological importance
- State Protected Heritage
- Legends
- Parvati worshipped Shiva here in the form of a Peacock (Mayil)
- Inscriptions
- Several Tamil inscriptions from the 12th century onwards
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Vijayanagara / Nayaka style
- Structure
- Complex with a large sacred tank
- Floors
- 7
- Gopuram
- East Gopuram (120 ft) adorned with intricate mythological figures
- Mandapa
- Navaratri Mandapam, various pillared halls
- Sculptural features
- Bronze idols of 63 Nayanars (Shaiva saints)
- Artistic elements
- Colorful stucco work on the gopurams
- Construction technique
- Traditional stone masonry
- Unique features
- Massive temple tank (Teppakulam) in front of the temple
Festivals & events
Panguni Uthiram (9-day Brahmotsavam)Arubathimoovar
- Festival calendar
- March - April (Panguni)
- Special celebration days
- Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri
- Cultural events
- Classical music and dance during Margazhi season
- Annual events
- Float Festival (Teppotsavam) in the tank
- Peak crowd season
- March, December, January
Visitor information
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Friday evening or during the Arubathimoovar festival
- Parking capacity
- 20-30 vehicles
- Parking fees
- Municipality charges
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Online
- Prasadam
- Laddu, Puliyodarai, Sundal