For the devout, this temple, with its grand Arubathumoovar festival, is the abode of Lord Kapaleeswarar and Devi Karpagambal, the presiding deities of Mylapore. For tourists from outside the country, it is a place of marvel with guides explaining stories of Shiva and Vishnu.
The Kapaleeswarar temple, which has been rebuilt several times, existed in the 7th Century when Thirugnanasambandar and Appar visited it and sang hymns. Temple enthusiast Padmapriya Baskaran explains that this is one of the Sapthasthana temples in the city, which means it is one of the temples where the Saptha Rishis worshipped.
The Lord is called Poompavai Eswarar to commemorate the resurrection of the girl by Thirugnanasambandar by singing a ‘pathigam’, in which he describes all the festivals of this temple, including the Arubathumoovar when the idols of 63 Saivite saints are taken out in procession. “These are very ancient festivals, and they continue to be celebrated even today with the same fervour.”
