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Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Lord Shiva
More in Tamil Nadu

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Shiva

Pincode

600004

The most important Shiva temple in Chennai, located in the ancient neighbourhood of Mylapore. The colourful 37-metre gopuram is a Chennai landmark. The temple is associated with the legend of Parvati worshipping Shiva in the form of a peacock (mayil).

History & Significance

Significance

A Dravidian-style Shiva temple in Chennai's Mylapore neighbourhood, its current structure dating to around the 16th century CE, though the site's temple history is much older — an earlier shoreline temple was destroyed by Portuguese colonists. It is closely associated with Karaikal Ammaiyar, one of the 63 Nayanmar Shaivite saints.

Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.