SURYAKSHETRA –98
Dr P V Sesha Sai
E-Mails: shodasisai@rediffmail.com, shodasisai@yahoo.com, shodasisai@hotmail.com,
Phones: 91-40- 27661613, 55581368 Cell: 94404 22613
2nd May 2005
What this little man speaks…
Quote: The wise man reads both books and the life.
Now it is time for us in this series of letters, to reach Chennai for onward journey back to Hyderabad. Chennai is not a temple town like Bhubaneswar, but there are many ancient and age old temples and worth visiting places in Chennai. It has long history behind it. To day I am taking you to one of the most ancient the history of which is dated back to 2006 years or so from now. In other words, the available historical evidences speak of this time, surely it is much older than what is known. The temple is SRI KAPAALEESWARAR TEMPLE in Mylapore.
Back to the history, MR PTOLEMY one of the great Greek Geographer visited this temple between 90-168 A.D and described this temple as one of the best temples which he has visited and where he found lot of divinity. Even St. Thomas one of the Apostles of Jesus visited this Holy place in 2nd Century. We are gradually ignoring the greatness of our land, but others duly respect and praise the civilization, which had a landmark during such ancient times. The construction and architectural beauty of the temple was much praised by the visitors. In other words, to be precise and clear, technology developed far and far beyond our expectations, in ancient India long long before.
Mayil in Tamil is the name of PEACOK. It appears that the present area of Mylapore was the land where lot many peacocks were existent. The name MYLAPORE is otherwise is the name of land of Peacocks. Goddess Uma worshipped Lord Kapaleeswarar in this area and after her marriage with the Lord her name turned out as GODDESS KARPAGAMBAL. There is a very big temple tank just outside the boundary wall of the temple, but then it is totally dried up. As seen in most parts of the country the ground water table has gone down and as a result all most all the temple tanks in India – the water ponds for daily usage and for festivals got dried up. Rahu kaal pooja is yet another attraction in this temple. Many grand events take place as per Tamil calendar in this temple and huge crowds gather.
The temple was in the hands of Portuguese till 1566 AD. The present temple is the renovated one, which took place 300 years back.
It appears that much more information about this temple is available in an ancient local Church. Any way this is a temple worth visiting to take the blessings of Lord Kapaaleeswarar.
Quote: As we grow old……..the beauty steals inwards.
I shall be back again soon…
HARA HARA MAHADEVA DR P V SESHA SAI
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