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.