Kapaleeshwarar temple:
The kapaleeshwarar temple is of typical Dravidian architectural style, with the gopuram overpowering the street on which the temple sits.The temple is also the testimonial for the vishwakarmas sthapathis.There are two entrances to the temple marked by the gopuram on either side. The east gopuram is about 40 m high, while the smaller western gopuram faces the sacred tank.
The commonly held view is that the temple was built in the 7th century CE by the ruling Pallavas.This view is based on reference to the temple in the hymns of the Nayanmars thirunanasambandars 6th song in poompavaipathikam and arunagirinaadhars 697th song in thirumylai thirupugazh, make clear reference to the temple being located on the seashore in mylapore .The scholarly view that accounts for the discrepancies is that the original temple was built on the shore but was destroyed by the Portuguese and the current temple was built by the Vijayanagar kings during the 16th century using some remains of the old temple.
PADMAPRIYA I
LEGEND:
ReplyDeleteThe temple's name is derived from the words kapalam (head) and eeshwarar an alias of lord Shiva. According to the Puranas, during the meeting of Brahma and Shiva at top of Mount Kailash Brahma failed to show the due respect to Shiva. Due to this, Shiva plucked of one of Brahma's heads (kapalams). In an act of penance, Brahma came down to the site of Mylapore and installed a Lingam to please Shiva. This place is known as Sukra Puri, Veda Puri, among many other names including “Kailaye Mayilai and Mayilaye Kayilai “which means this place is equal to kailash. Goddess Karpagambal, a form of Shiva's consort Parvati, due to a curse became a pea-hen and did penance here to get back her original personality. Shiva's son Murugan received the spear (Sakthi Vel) for the destruction of a demon from Parvati here. Brahma had worshipped here to get rid of his ego and get back his power to create. The four Vedas have worshipped here. Sukracharya worshipped the Lord here and got back his lost eye. Rama has worshipped here and won the war against Ravana and brought back Sita from Lanka. The daughter of Sivanesa Chettiar Angam Poompavai got her lost life due to snake bite was later resurrected here by the powers of Thirugnana Sambandar. Vayilar Nayanar, a saiva saint, attained salvation here and Mylapore is also the birth place of Thiruvalluvar who wrote Thirukkural. In Thevaram special mention is made about the beautiful Madaveedhi as “Malgun Mathri Thavazhum Maada Veedhi Mylappil Ullar”. Thiruganana Sambandar, Arunagirinathar have sung the glory of Karpagambal, Singara Velar. The 10-day festival during March / April is a treat to watch and Arubathu Moovar festival is attended by lakhs of devotees every year. J N Chandra Kala.
The commonly held view is that the temple was built in the 7th century CE by the ruling Pallavas.This view is based on references to the temple in the hymns of the Nayanmars (which, however, place it by a sea shore). Thirugnanasambandar's 6th song in
ReplyDeletePoompavaipathikam and Arunagirinathar's 697th song in Thirumylai Thirupugazh, make clear reference to the Kapaleeswarar temple being located on the seashore in Mylapore.The scholarly view that accounts for the discrepancies is that the original temple was built on the shore but was destroyed by the Portuguese(present day santhome church), and the current temple (which is 1-1.5 km from the shore) was built by the Vijayanagar kings during the 16th century, using some remains of the old temple.There are inscriptions dating back to 12th century inside the temple.The temple's 120 ft gopuram (gateway tower) was built during 1906 with stucco figures adorning it.The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
N.SAVITHA