One of the most ancient temple in Chennai which is approximately 1000 to 2000 years old.I wanted to show my son about our ancient architecture and culture.As my child shows interest,I generally share the story behind each festival celebrationand temples to him.This is very spacious and very well maintained temple and you may need 2 hours approximately to visit it.It is located in Mylapore area in Chennai.Each stone carvings you observe will speak about the temple.
I wanted him to visualise and feel our ancient sculptures and Dravidian style of architecture.This temple is worth a visit.
He loved looking at the holy cows inside the temple premises which was fed and milked .Listening to the melody of nadaswaram was new to him.
It was new feel and experience for my little hero.In this visit,I have introduced him to history☺
Here is the information about the temple in brief which I googled to convey it to my little hero in better way.
About kapaleeswar temple,Mylapore
It is a Siva Temple, and the name of the Lord is ARULMIGU KAPALEESWARAR. The name of the Goddess is ARULMIGU KARPAGAMBAL (Goddess of wish yielding tree)
Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple attracts the eye of the visitor with its imposing 37-meter tall gopuram (tower). The image of the Tamil poet-saint, Gnanasambandar greets visitors. As you step out from under the gopuram, straight ahead is the dancing image of Lord Ganesha as Nardhana Vinayagar who greets the devotees.
The specialty of the temple lies in its Dravidian-style of architecture. It consists of two entrances or gopurams-a Rajagopuram(Royal entrance) on the east and a gopuram on the west, the eastern gopuram being higher. Both the gopurams are beautifully adorned with exquisite stone carvings and sculptures. The temple boasts of mandapams and an enormous sacred water tank.
History :
Kapaleeswarar Temple was originally built by the Pallavas in 7th century CE.However, the architecture of the temple seems to be just 300-400 years old. Scholars have concluded that the original temple was built on the seashore in 7th century CE by the Pallavas and was destroyed by the Portuguese. The temple existing today is about 1 km away from the shore and was built by Vijaynagar kings during 16th century CE.
Story behind the temple:
Lord Brahmma thought that he was as great and equal as Lord Shiva as he too had five heads as Shiva.To teach him a lesson and to check his pride. Lord Shiva nipped one head and held the skull in His hand. Kapala in Sanskrit means skull, hence Lord Shiva was praised as Kapaleeshwara and the place KAPALEESHWARAM.
Another story states that Lord Shiva was teaching Paravathi about full meaning of five lettered mantra Na ma shi va ya ,but she was attracted by the beauty of a peacock dancing before her. Lord Shiva , for her inattention, cursed her to become a peacock. For relief from the curse, He advised her to go to Earth and perform penance on him. Paravathi worshipped the Shivalinga under the Punnai tree in this place. Moved by her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before her and confirmed her release from the curse and named her Karpagavalli.Hence this place was named as Mayil(means peacock in tamil)and later changed to mylapore
Source: Wiki
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REBORN FOR MY LITTLE HERO 