Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Hindu temple in Mylapore, India
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a Hindu place of worship in Mylapore, Chennai, India, dedicated to Shiva as its main deity. Its reddish stone walls enclose several halls with pillars and a water tank, while towers rise at all four sides of the compound.
Builders raised the temple core in the 7th century on a site dedicated to Shiva and his consort. Rulers in later centuries expanded the compound with taller towers, larger halls, and additional shrines around the central courtyard.
Priests wearing white dhoti robes carry flame lamps before the deity while worshippers arrive with flower garlands and coconuts as offerings. Vendors outside sell jasmine strands and incense sticks that visitors purchase for rituals in the courtyard.
Visitors should cover shoulders and knees and remove footwear at the entrance before entering the inner courtyards. Morning hours before 9 AM tend to be less crowded, while festival days and Fridays draw more worshippers.
A bronze peacock stands beside a smaller shrine in the courtyard, recalling the legend in which the goddess appeared as a bird. Local stories speak of a mango tree on the grounds where Shiva is said to have once taught.
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