|
 This ancient Shiva temple is a delightful introduction to
Dravidian temple sculpture and architecture. Fragmentary inscriptions date back to 1250
AD, but the present structure is the renovated one which was rebuilt by the Vijayanagara
kings in the 16th century.
The magnificent 37 m tall gopuram is profusely carved. The
crowded cosmogeny of stucco gods, goddesses and saints depict important Puranic legends.
The Punnai tree in the temple courtyard is one of oldest trees in Chennai and shades a
small shrine depicting the legend that gave Mylapore its name. |
Goddess Parvati, in the
form of a peacock, is shown worshipping Shiva, represented by the traditional Lingam.
Parvati is worshipped in this temple as Karpagambal.
The Kapaleeswarar temple is famous for being the site of a
miracle when Saint Gnanasambandar sang to resurrect a dead girl. This miracleis
sculpturally represented in the shrine of the saint in front of the temple
flagmast.
Among
other special features of the temple are the bronze statues of 63 Shaivite saints,
canonised for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance. The idols of these 63
nayanmars (saints), which adorn the outer yard of the temple, are carried in a colourful
procession on the eighth day of the 10 day Arupathumoovar temple festival held in
March-April every year. |
