Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple
The temple was also patronized by the great Tamil saint Thirugnana Sambandar. He sang the first hymn Matita Punnaiangal in praise of Kapaleeswarar and made Myalai famous as a divine worship centre. It was here that Sambandar restored Poompavai to life from the bones and ashes preserved by her father Sivanesar with the fond hope that one day she will come back to life. Poompavai father wanted her daughter to be married to a saint . But she died of snake bite and her father preserved the bones in a pot which he handed over to the child saint when he visited Mylai. Sivansar narrated the painful story and placed the pot before the saint. Sambandar sang (10 verses athigam) with the beginning Mattita Punnai listing the various festivals of Lord Shiva in the first three lines asking how she can miss them. The pot broke to pieces and the pretty Poompavai emerged. Sivanesar asked the saint to accept his daughter. Sambandar told him that he had now became her father as he had given her life again. Poompavai spent the rest of her life alone praying Lord Shiva till she attained salvation.
Highlights of Kapaleeswarar Temple
Goddess Uma in the guise of Peacock worshiped Lord Shiva * Lord Muruga got his Sakthivel from Lord Shiva and Mother Uma * Lord Brahma got back his job of creation after shedding his pride * Vedas worshiped Lord Kapaleeswarar and hence Mylai is known as Vedapuri * Sukaran prayed to Lord Shiva here. Hence Mylai is also called Sukarapuri * Lord Sri Rama stayed here and performed pujas to Lord Shiva with festivals * In this holy soil, Thirugnana Sambandar restored Poompavai from her ashes and preserved bones. * Birth place of saint Vaylar, one of the 63 saints * Birth place of peiazhwar, one of the twelve azhwars, * Saint Arunagirinathar sang the glory of Lord Singaravelan in Thirupugazh. * Birth place of great saint and poet Thiruvalluvar whose Thirukural is a classic Tamil Sangam literature consisting of 1330 couplets * On this holy soil, Saint Sambandhar sang the first piece of literature Muttatta Punnayam.
Architecture of the Temple
The notable feature of this structure is the Rajagopuram on the eastern side. It is 20 meter in length, 15 meter wide and 40 meter height. It has 9 kalasams. The temple is also testimonial for the Vishawakarma stthapathis. The main deity is facing West direction. The Sacred and beautiful tank is situated in front of the temple with a nice mandapam adding to its serenity. The water is holy and known as Kapali thirtam.
Kapaleeswarar in the form of Lingeswara gives darshan to the to the devotees. Karpagambal sanctum is south facing. Singaravelan Sanctum is located on the Southside Vayalar Nayanar Sannidhi is just opposite to Amman temple. At the right side of the tank entrance is the sanctum of Poompavai and Thirugnanasambandar. In the courtyard of the temple there is the holy punnai tree, one of the oldest trees of Chennai city, also called the `Sthala Vriksham`.
On the eastern main entrance, the sannidhi for Narthana Pillayar is located. The other deties including Sani Bhagavan, Annamalaiyar and Nava grahams are spread out. FLAG POLE The flagpole is at the west entrance facing Nandi and Shiva Lingam. On the side is the sacrificing platform. The flag pole has been given a new looking with gold plating on top. In the temple, special pujas are performed on auspicious days and Pradosham days. The temple attracts thousands of devotees on the pradosham day when the temple vibrates with Lingashtakam.
Golden Chariot
The beautiful golden chariot bedecked with bells , flowers and jewels can be taken out in procession round the temple. It is a divine experience to see the God and Goddess riding in the golden chariot accompanied by devotees. The fee for taking out the golden chariot is Rs.1501/- Those who wish to book the date of procession in advance can send the fee to the office of the temple.
Pujas in the Temple
Pujas in this temple are performed as ordained in the Agama Sastra. The temple priests perform pujas on all days including festival days. The temple rituals are performed six times a day.
Festivals in the Temple
During the Tamil month of panguni, the traditional annual festival takes place when entire Mylapore comes alive with colorful decoration around the four streets of the temple. The month of corresponds to mid and March and April duration. Kapaleeswarar temple celebrates the nine day long Panguni Peruvizha (Spring Festival). The festival commences with flag hoisting (kodi yetram), and includes the temple car run (therotam) and Arupathimoovar festival is named after sixty three Nayanmars who have attained salvation as ardent devotees of Lord Shiva.
Car Festival (Therottam)
During the car festival, kapaleeswarar is depicted as holding a bow while seated. Goddess Karpagambal has a separate car, alongside, Brahma is the driver of the car. The chariot is decorated with flowers and statues. Large crowd of devotees gathered on the day to pull the temple car. Other important occasions during this festival are the Athigara Nandi on the third day, the Rishaba Vahanam at midnight of the fifth day. The gala festival concludes with the Thirukalyanam of Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal and taken out in a procession on `Kailasa Vaganam`.
Literary Background
Mylapore temple was patronized by the great Tamil saint Thirugnanasambandar. He sang the first hymn ldquoMatita Punniangalrdquo in praise of Kapaleeswarar and made Mylai famous as a divine worship centre. It was here that Sambandar restored Poompavai to life from the bones and ashes preserved by her father Sivanesar with the fond hope that one day she will come back to life. Poompavairsquos father wanted his daughter to be married to a saint. But she died of snake bite and her father preserved the bones and ashes in a pot in ldquoAsthi Kotagai ldquo (The present Ramakrishna mutt temple). Sivanesar handed over the pot to the child saint when he visited Mylai. Sivanesar narrated the painful story and placed the pot before the saint. Samabandar sang 10 verses (pathigam) with the beginning Mattita Punniangalrdquo listing the various festivals of Lord Shiva in the first three lines asking how she can miss them. While singing the 9th padal (lyric) the pot broke into pieces and pretty Poompavai emerged. Sivanesar asked the saint to accept his daughter. Sambandar told him that he had now become her father as he had given her life. Poompavai spent the rest of her life alone, praying to Lord Siva till she attained salvation. Few families of Sivanesar clan are still alive and visiting the temple daily.