Kapaleeshwarar Temple – Chennai

The Kapaleeshwarar Temple is one of the most ancient and revered temples in Tamil Nadu. Built during the 7th century, the temple stands as a fine example of traditional Dravidian architecture.

Main Deities of the Temple

The presiding deities of the temple are Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Kabaleeshwarar
(Kabalam meaning head and Eshwaran referring to Lord Shiva), while Goddess Parvathi is revered as
Karpagambal (Karpagam meaning the wish-fulfilling tree and Ambal meaning mother).

Temple Structure and Rituals

In addition to the main shrines, the temple houses several other deities and features multiple spacious halls. As a result, the temple complex appears grand and spiritually vibrant throughout the day.

The temple opens early at 5:30 AM and remains accessible to devotees until 10:00 PM.
Moreover, six different daily rituals are performed with great devotion, while four major festivals are celebrated annually.

Festivals and Celebrations

Among all the festivals, the most significant is the Arubathimooval Festival, celebrated during the
Panguni month of the Tamil calendar. During this time, the temple transforms into a hub of devotion with colorful processions, traditional music, classical dance performances, and elaborate religious ceremonies.

Consequently, devotees from various regions gather here to witness and participate in these grand celebrations.

Sacred Temple Tank

The Kapaleeshwarar Temple is also renowned for its sacred temple tank known as
Kapali Teertham, also called Shiva Ganga. It is customary for devotees to take a ritual dip in the tank before entering the temple, as the act is believed to purify the body and soul.