Kapaleeswarar located in Mylapore is as famous as the city
itself. The worshippers number in thousands.
There are many mythologies and legends associated
with the temple. It is believed that Brahma
installed a Sivalingam here and conducted
penance here. Brahma had once been disrespectful
to Siva and Parvati at which Siva became
angry and pinched off one of his heads or
kapalams. That is why the name Kapaleeswarar.
The place where the temple is located
- Mylapore has many stories attached to
it. It is believed that once when Siva
was speaking to Parvati, she was distracted
by the beauty of a pea hen.. Siva was
angry and cursed her to become a pea hen.
She thus became a peahen and came to Kapali
nagar and started penance of her sin and
rejoined Siva. As Parvati conducted Penance
in the form of a pea hen or mayil, this
place is called Mylapore. This place is
also called Sukrapuri, as it is in this
place that Sukra, the minister of Mahabali
got back his lost eye. There are many
other stories associated with the temple.
There is no clear evidence as to how old
the temple is. The temple however is very
famous and attracts pilgrims from far
and wide.
The temple is located in a very accessible
place and the devotees find it convenient
to reach here.
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