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City GuideThis ancient Siva temple is a delightful introduction to Dravidian temple sculpture and architecture. Fragmentary inscriptions date back to 1250 AD, but the present structure is the renovated one which was rebuilt by the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century. The magnificent 37m tall gopuram is profusely carved. The crowded cosmogeny of Stucco gods, goddesses and saints depict important Puranic legends. The 'Punnai' tree in the temple courtyard is one of the oldest trees in Chennai and shades a small shrine depicting the legend that gave Mylapore its name. The goddess Parvati, in the form of a peacock, is shown worshipping Siva, represented by the traditional Lingam. Parvati is worshipped in this temple as Karpagambal. The Kapaleswarar temple famed for being the site of a miracle is sculpturally represented in the shrine of the saint in front of the temple flagmast. Among other special features of the temple are the bronze statues of 63 Saivite saints, canonised for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance. The figure of these 63 Nayanmars (saints), which adorn the outeryard of the temple, are carried in a colourful procession on the eighth day of the 10-day Arupathumoovar temple festival held in March-April every year.
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