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5. Kapaleeswarar Temple

In Mylapore, Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu stands the temple dedicated to Shiva, the Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Built in the 7th century CE, the form of Shiva that was worshiped there has borne some influence in the name that was eventually given to the city. He was worshipped as the peacock whose Tamil name is mylai thereby translating the city into Mylapore. The temple has many shrines, many halls and many rituals that are performed there. There are six daily rituals that occur throughout the day. The temple also facilitates four festivals through the year. The temple and its administrations are maintained by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The various daily and yearly rituals are done amidst music with pipe instruments, percussion instruments, and religious instructions read from the sacred text known as the Vedas. These are read by the priests and the worshippers than prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like somavaram and sukravaram, fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi. During Friday worship, the statue of the goddess Karpagambal (a form of Pavarti) is decorated with a kaasu maala, which is a garland made of gold coins.

For Puja Timings Visit: Official Website