Sri Kapaleeswar Temple
Not far from Triplicane, in Mylapore, there is yet another 8th century Pallava
temple. The temple 'Gopuram'(tower) is characteristic of Dravidian style architecture
.Dedicated to Lord Shiva,this temple has some beautiful sculptures,among which
the bronze idols of 63 Saivite Saints(Nayanmars) which adorn the outer coutyard
are rare specimens.
Also in the courtyard under the old Punnai tree is a small shrine depicting
Goddess Parvathi in the form of a Peacock Worshipping Lord Shiva.It is from
this legend that Mylapore derived it's name -'myil' meaning peacock and 'oor'
meaning town.Mylapore swarms with life during the Arupathu Moovar festival that
is held in March-April every year.
This ancient Shiva temple is a delightful introduction to Dravidian temple sculpture
and architecture. Fragmentary inscriptions date back to 1250 AD, but the present
structure is the renovated one which was rebuilt by the Vijayanagara kings in
the 16th century. The magnificent 37m tall gopuram is profusely carved. The
crowded cosmogeny of Stucco gods, goddesses and saints depict important Puranic
legends.
The Kapaleswarar temple famed for being the site of a miracle is sculpturally
represented in the shrine of the saint in front of the temple flagmast. Among
other special features of the temple are the bronze statues of 63 Saivite saints,
canonised for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance. The figure of
these 63 Nayanmars (saints), which adorn the outeryard of the temple, are carried
in a colourful procession on the eighth day of the 10-day Arupathumoovar temple
festival held in March-April every year.
