The Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore is administered by the state’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department, which publishes timings, pooja schedules and festival notices on the temple’s official page. The temple opens early in the morning and closes at night, with a break in the afternoon. The best times to visit are early morning or after sunset, when the lamps are lit and the Mada streets come alive. Check the HR&CE page for current darshan hours before you go, since they change on festival days.
The temple is dedicated to Shiva as Kapaleeshwarar and to the goddess Karpagambal. It is one of Chennai’s oldest living places of worship, and Tamil Nadu Tourism notes that it is sung about in the Tevaram hymns of the Saivite saints Sambandar and Appar. Here is what a first-time visitor needs to know.
A short history
The shrine praised in the Tevaram is far older than most of what you see today; the present buildings date from much later rebuilding. The tall entrance gopuram, about 37 metres high according to Tamil Nadu Tourism and covered in painted stucco figures, is the landmark you see from Kutchery Road and the Mada streets. Inside, bronze images of the 63 Nayanars, the Saivite saints, are among the temple’s best-known sights.
Two legends are told here. Tamil Nadu Tourism records the story of the sage Sukracharya praying to Shiva at this spot to regain his eyesight. Local tradition also links the name Mylapore to the goddess worshipping Shiva in the form of a peahen, or mayil.
Planning your visit
- Getting there: the temple is a short walk from Mylapore (Thirumayilai) MRTS station. MTC buses stop at Luz and on R.K. Mutt Road. Metro Phase 2 construction around Mylapore and Luz has narrowed some roads, so allow extra time.
- Parking: very limited. On festival days police have pointed motorists to spaces near the MRTS station and the ground near P.S. Higher Secondary School. On ordinary days, an auto or public transport is easier.
- Footwear: leave it at the footwear counter before you go in.
- Dress: dress modestly. Traditional clothes such as a veshti, sari, salwar or churidar fit in best. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops.
- Photography: follow the signs and staff instructions. Photographing the inner sanctum is generally not allowed.
- Special darshan and offerings: tickets for special darshan and archanai are sold at the temple counters. Use only the official counters and ask for a receipt.
The temple tank
West of the temple lies the large Kapaleeshwarar tank, with a small mandapam in the middle used for the annual float festival. In 2025 the HR&CE department told the National Green Tribunal it would put up a steel mesh to stop garbage being thrown or blown in, after reports of waste and low water. Please do not throw puffed rice, flowers or plastic into the tank.
Festivals worth planning for
The biggest event is the Panguni Peruvizha, the temple’s annual festival in the Tamil month of Panguni (March to April). Its highlights are the car festival (therottam) and, the next day, the Arubathimoovar procession, when the bronze images of the 63 Nayanars are taken around the Mada streets. In 2025 the Adhikara Nandhi procession fell on 5 April, the car festival on 9 April and Arubathimoovar on 10 April, and the Greater Chennai traffic police announced diversions around Luz and R.K. Mutt Road on those days. Expect similar closures in 2027, and watch for the traffic police notice.
Other busy days include:
- Navaratri: golu displays at the temple and doll stalls on the Mada streets. This year the stalls on North and South Mada Streets have choked traffic.
- Karthigai Deepam: in late November, lamps are lit across the temple and homes in Mylapore. Check the temple page for this year’s date.
- Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri: fortnightly Pradosham evenings and the all-night Shivaratri bring large crowds.
- Margazhi mornings: in December and January, early-morning bhajan groups circle the Mada streets.
Around the temple
A visit combines naturally with a walk through Mylapore. The Mada streets are lined with shops selling pooja items, brass lamps, flowers and silks, along with old-style tiffin rooms. Sri Ramakrishna Math on R.K. Mutt Road and the Santhome Cathedral Basilica, towards the sea, are close by. The streets are narrow and busy in the evenings, so keep bags in front of you and watch for two-wheelers. During the monsoon, carry an umbrella; the open courtyards get slippery after rain, and you will be walking barefoot.
Quick answers
Who manages the Kapaleeshwarar temple?
The Tamil Nadu HR&CE department, which publishes official timings and notices on the temple’s website.
When is the Panguni festival at Mylapore?
In the Tamil month of Panguni, usually late March or early April. The car festival and Arubathimoovar are its biggest days.
What should I wear to Kapaleeshwarar temple?
Modest, traditional clothing is best. Footwear must be left outside.
What is the nearest station?
Mylapore (Thirumayilai) on the MRTS line is a short walk away.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore (HR&CE)
- Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tamil Nadu
- The Kapaleeshwarar Temple (Tamil Nadu Tourism)
- Traffic diversion for Panguni festival at Kapaleeswarar temple, 2025 (DT Next)
- HR&CE to erect steel mesh around Kapaleeswarar temple tank (DT Next)
- Chennai: Golu stalls choke traffic on Mada Streets (DT Next, Oct 2026)
