Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
4.5
5:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Monday
5:00 AM - 12:30 PM
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 12:30 PM
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 12:30 PM
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 12:30 PM
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday
5:00 AM - 12:30 PM
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 12:30 PM
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 12:30 PM
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
About
This ancient shrine to Shiva is centrally located and among the area’s most popular landmarks.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- AllIndiatravellingVrindavan, India144 contributionsReview of a visit to Kapaleshwar Temple, ChennaiAn excellent Shiv Parvati Temple in Mylapore Chennai and a must for anyone on a spiritual trip to Chennai. Visit is simply heavenly. Went in the morning on a Saturday. No crowd at all. Reasonably well maintained. Was told to avoid Sundays, and Evenings to avoid rush. Nice Darshan. You can request the Pandit for a special puja and if there is no crowd he may oblige. You may leave some dakshina in the Aarti Thali if you like. At the entrance you first pay obescience to Lord Ganesha, and then proceed to the temples of Devi Parvati, and thereafter Shiva. Do not miss this temple if you are in Chennai.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 March 2024
- ilovetoeatandtravelLondon, United Kingdom3 contributionsAmazing temple to visit with kidsKapaleeshwarar Temple is amazing to visit with kids. You can easily spend 2 hours there and you don't need a guide to see the Temple. Be aware that the Temple closes at noonish and re-opens again in the late afternoon. The Hindu priests and worshippers were very welcoming and friendly. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temples so look out for signs. However, you will still be able to follow from outside. Two things to look out for. We left our flip flops in a shoe place, associated with the Temple and situated just outside the entrance to the Temple, that was supposed to be free but of course it wasn't. A man came out of the shoe place after we picked up our shoes and became aggressive and intimidating when we did not accept his offer of Chennai tours. There is another man (an economics student apparently) who stands at the entry to the temple and offers tours. He also became unpleasant and argumentative when we rejected his offer of touring the Temple with him. Apart from that we had a great time and will visit again next time we are in Chennai.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 22 April 2024
- Devendra GIndia1,046 contributionsKapaleeshwar templeThis is a temple of Lord Shiva in the old chennai city in Mylapore. We visited the temple in the evening. The temple premise is huge, very well managed and extermely clean and peaceful. The main sanctum is of Lord Shiva, the energy level of the place is unbelievable. The temple has a dravidian style of architecture. Must visit if you are going to Chennai.Visited September 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 21 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,573 reviews
Excellent
1,587
Very good
791
Average
155
Poor
23
Terrible
17
GRAM
1 contribution
Nov 2019
I am Hindu from the USA. I was looking forward to going to this temple for darshan while in Chennai. As I walked in, I was approached by a "guide" who works for the temple; he has a noticeable scar under one of his eyes. He claims that he is is a "student" and works at the temple giving tours. Initially, he seemed legitimate. But then, he took us to the kitchen and asked for 3,000 rupees to feed devotees for one sitting. It was almost as if he was bargaining, with no guarantee of where the money would actually go. Disappointingly, the same guide informed me that I was not allowed to go into the actual temple because I did not speak Hindi (despite being Hindu). However, he did request a donation to take into the temple and make on my behalf. After a quick tour, he requested 20 USD (at minimum) for his services and would not budge otherwise. After spending a total of over 60 USD, I was not able to partake in darshan, as I hoped. I am presuming all of the money I "donated" went directly into this man's pocket. Beware; these practices have no place in a house of worship. Utterly disgusting.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gavin J
Aboyne, UK393 contributions
Feb 2020
It’s a working temple and quite interesting with a few interesting bits dotted about, but it’s very built up and there are the usual phalanxes of guides and touts telling you that there is more in life than money - before trying to extract a lot from you. The guides give you the usual “pay me what you think it’s worth” Line but expect 1,000 to 1,500 and a contribution to the temples “fund for the poor”. A mildly interesting place in a city with very limited interesting things to do and see. Worth going but try not to get ripped off........again!
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gizmoadventures
58 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I have visited many temples but this was an amazing experience. The temple was busy with many small temples inside. The traditionally dressed Brahmins were so special to see along with witnessing the different forms of worship movement for the different gods.
They have many holy cows living inside.
It is a wonderful place to see. There was live music being performed when we visited which added to the experience.
They have many holy cows living inside.
It is a wonderful place to see. There was live music being performed when we visited which added to the experience.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon
5 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Beautiful architecture but definitely should have read the reviews prior to going. We were immediately approached by a local who took us next door to leave our shoes in a room and then started explaining the temple to us when we went inside. We figured he would ask us for money after following us around but figured it would be max 500rps. At one point he asked for us to donate to the food program at the temple and so we gave him 500rps. He pushed back and kept asking for more money saying most people donate 20euro. We refused and he eventually went inside to ‘make the donation on our behalf’. We kept going and he followed us asking for money for his services. We said ok we will give you 500 and he immediately got angry and said he normally gets 20euro each person. We refused and when we said we didn’t have more cash he offered to take us to an atm. We went to get our shoes and ended up pushing past him and leaving having given him the 500rps we said we would. He was incredibly unhappy as were we and it left a really bad taste after visiting a beautiful temple.
Written 23 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine McMenamin
Gold Coast, Australia32 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
I visited the temple on a public holiday so it was really crowded with locals in long snaking lines. While it was colourful and unmistakably India, the temples did not hold any special allure. The most interesting feature was the stable housing Brahman cows - sacred to India - and the faces of the local people.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eamesescape
Melbourne, Australia175 contributions
Dec 2019
A Morning at Kapaleeswarar Temple Mylapore, Chennai
Kapaleeshwarar temple, Mylapore is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful temples in Chennai.
Dedicated to lord Shiva, this temple has magnificent gopurams and a tank in the west. Shakti worshipped Shiva in the form of a peacock (mayil in Tamil) hence the name Mylapore. The temple was built around 7th century. October to January: This time is considered as the best months to visit Kapaleeshwarar temple. The weather is pleasant and comfortable to explore Chennai.
Kapaleeshwarar temple, Mylapore is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful temples in Chennai.
Dedicated to lord Shiva, this temple has magnificent gopurams and a tank in the west. Shakti worshipped Shiva in the form of a peacock (mayil in Tamil) hence the name Mylapore. The temple was built around 7th century. October to January: This time is considered as the best months to visit Kapaleeshwarar temple. The weather is pleasant and comfortable to explore Chennai.
Written 18 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wil Chung
Crewe, UK671 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
What a fantastic place to visit for anyone who is spiritual (you don't need to be Hindu) or just appreciates the spectacular architecture.
First of all, you need to take your shoes off before entering the temple. You can leave them at the counter for a small fee/tip or just leave them.on the ground like most Indians. You are welcome to look around yourself - be aware you could be approached by guides who will give you a tour for a fee. There are specific parts of the temples where photography is not permitted and non Hindus (all clearly marked)
A beautiful place to meditate and take in "life"
First of all, you need to take your shoes off before entering the temple. You can leave them at the counter for a small fee/tip or just leave them.on the ground like most Indians. You are welcome to look around yourself - be aware you could be approached by guides who will give you a tour for a fee. There are specific parts of the temples where photography is not permitted and non Hindus (all clearly marked)
A beautiful place to meditate and take in "life"
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rajeshbahuguna
Hyderabad, India265 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Had been to Chennai several times in the past but could manage to visit this magnificent temple only last week. The temple is as fascinating as its history. The temple architecture is lovely and you need to spend some time to look at the carvings on the gopurams as well the inside of the temples. Special darshan tickets are priced only 50/ but there was no need as even otherwise you could have the darshan at all three temples easily. The parking around the temple is a little tricky as the space is limited but after a round or two you can manage.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger F
Lleida, Spain75 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva located in Mylapore, Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The form of Shiva's consort Parvati worshipped at this temple is called Karpagambal is from Tamil ("Goddess of the Wish-Yielding Tree"). The temple is the most ancient one that has been built around the 7th century CE in Dravidian architecture.
Templo Hindú de muchos colores situado en Chennai. Los aledaños son agradables y hay tenderetes al lado tipicos de India.
Templo Hindú de muchos colores situado en Chennai. Los aledaños son agradables y hay tenderetes al lado tipicos de India.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jillg232
London, UK15 contributions
Jan 2023 • Business
This was a last stop after a busy week on a business trip. So we popped in but straight away a “helpful” man advised us to put our shoes in a safe area to be paid for to keep them safe. He then followed us and insisted on telling us things about the Temple. He correctly named which hotel we were staying in ( I suspect he had seen our driver!) but I was by the end a bit concerned. He was acting as if he was a staff member but it was obvious he was not. He then wanted money for blessings and our family names. Realistically I could see that this money was really for him, which I didn’t mind. So I gave him some cash. He supposedly went into the temple to hand over the cash. I just can’t see that he did but I didn’t expect him to. But then he carried on and insisted on more money at the end. When I refused he became angry and abusive. It was pretty unpleasant. Sad to say it’s a beautiful place but just don’t engage with anyone.
Written 14 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Binita Chovatia P
Ahmedabad, India
Is it compulsory for women to wear saree for worship?
Written 21 February 2019
No. Saree is not compulsory. A decent dress code is preferred.
Written 11 April 2019
Are non-Hindus allowed to visit? I am coming to Chennai with my friend who is Indian but not Hindu.
Written 17 December 2018
You can visit the temple and circumambulate the grounds and the outer sanctums. Only the two inner sanctums are not available for non Hindus. If you are a tourist this experience will be sufficient to get a feel for a South Indian temple.
Written 28 January 2019
can I have any temple guide or pujari number
Written 29 December 2017
Please contact temple administrative office (which is within the premise of the temple) and they will be able to help you.
Written 29 December 2017
morning 5:30 to 12
evening- 5-9 pm
Written 11 June 2015
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