KAPALEESHWARAR KSHETRAM, MYLAPORE DIST. CHENNAI

Shiva Lingam here is said to be swayambhu meaning it is self-manifested. It is said that once Brahma Ji became proud of his 5 heads. To teach him a lesson, Shiva cut off one of his heads. So, here Shiva is called Kabaleeswarar.


Also, it was here that Ma Parvati worshipped Shiva in the form of a peacock which is known as Mayil in Tamil. Once, Shiv was teaching Parvati the meaning of five lettered Mantra Na Ma Shi Va Ya and the glory of the sacred ash. She got distracted with the appearance of a peacock.


She was then cursed to become a peacock by him. Then Mata came to this place and offered her prayers to him. After she regained her original form she was named as Karpagavalli by Shiva. It is at this place that Mata gave Muruga the spear or Sakthi Vel.


A shrine of Ma Parvati, who is revered here in the form of Karpagambal, is also present in the complex. It attracts huge crowds on Fridays when the murti is bedecked with a garland of gold coins called Kaasu mala.


The complex houses the sacred Punnai tree which is believed to be one of the oldest trees of Chennai. A small shrine under the Punnai Tree depicts the story of Ma Parvati in the form of peahen worshipping the Shivlinga.

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