 The
temple of Kapaleeswarar
is in Mylapore in
Madras city. 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.
Once when Siva was
speaking to Parvati,
her attention became
diverted at seeing
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 very famous
and attracts pilgrims
from far and wide.
The Mylapore kapaleshwar
temple is in the
heart of the Madras
city and hence is
easily accessible.
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