What is the timing of Kapaleeshwarar Temple?

Kapaleeshwarar Temple is open 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM, daily. Closed 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM. The final closing is 9:15 PM - 9:30 PM.

What are the darshan (visiting) hours at Kapaleeshwarar Temple?

As published, morning darshan runs 5:30 AM - 12:30 PM and evening darshan runs 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM. Closed 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM. The final closing is 9:15 PM - 9:30 PM.

Which festivals are celebrated at Kapaleeshwarar Temple?

The main ones documented for this temple are Arubathimoovar Festival (Panguni Peruvizha), Panguni Uthiram, Maha Shivaratri. See the festival table above for dates and what each involves.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple Timings, Chennai

Q: How reliable is the information on this Kapaleeshwarar Temple page?

This listing's confidence is rated high. Opening and closing times taken from the temple's own page on the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department site, the government body that administers it. Timings still change on festival days.

Set in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a shrine to Lord Shiva as Kapaleeshwarar (Swayambhu lingam) with consort Karpagambal (Parvati). It is also known as Sri Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore.

According to legend Goddess Parvati worshipped Shiva here in the form of a peahen, giving Mylapore its name (mayil means peacock in Tamil). The largest temple in Chennai and celebrated in ancient Tamil scripture (Tevaram). The temple is believed to have been built in the 7th century by the Pallavas and is mentioned in the hymns of the Nayanar saints such as Sambandar.

Tamil Nadu carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of towering gopurams and living Dravidian temple traditions, from the Chola masterpieces to the great Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.

Darshan hours and daily worship

Session	Timing (as published)
Morning	5:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Evening	4:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Closed 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM. The final closing is 9:15 PM - 9:30 PM.

Poojas and daily rituals

Ushathkalam (6:00 AM), Kalasanthi (9:00 AM), Uchikalam (1:00 PM), Sayarakshai (5:00 PM), Irandamkalam (7:00 PM) and Ardha Jamam (9:00 PM).

Signature annual eventsThe Arubathimoovar / Panguni Peruvizha processions and Brahmotsavam.

Festivals and special-day timings

Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.

Festival	Period	What happens
Arubathimoovar Festival (Panguni Peruvizha)	March-April	A 10-day festival honouring the 63 Nayanar saints, drawing large crowds with grand processions.
Panguni Uthiram	March-April	Celebrated with vibrant rituals and processions.
Maha Shivaratri	February-March	The great night of Shiva observed with special worship.

History and architecture

Built or establishedBelieved to have originated in the 7th century CE under the Pallavas; the present temple was rebuilt in the 16th century by the Vijayanagara rulers, and the 120-ft gopuram was built in 1906.

Architecture

A fine example of Dravidian architecture with a majestic 120-foot gopuram covered in colourful stucco figures, carved pillars, mandapams and a sacred temple tank (Sthala Theertham).

History

The temple is believed to have been built in the 7th century by the Pallavas and is mentioned in the hymns of the Nayanar saints such as Sambandar. Historians note the original shore-side temple was demolished and the present temple later built inland during the Vijayanagara period; it is now managed by the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Board. It houses 12th-century inscriptions.

Planning your visit

Entry feeFree; no entry fee.

Dress codeDress modestly and respectfully; avoid revealing clothing or shorts, and remove footwear before entering the inner sanctum. Non-Hindus are allowed inside except into the sanctum sanctorum.

Best time to visitEarly morning or evening to avoid the daytime heat and crowds; festival times such as Maha Shivaratri or Panguni Uthiram offer vibrant celebrations.

NearbySanthome Cathedral Basilica (2 km), Marina Beach (4 km), Fort St. George (5 km) and the Government Museum (3 km).

How to reach

Located in Mylapore, Chennai. Nearest airport is Chennai International Airport; Chennai Central and Egmore are the major railway stations, with local trains and autos to Mylapore. City buses serve Mylapore directly.

Open in Google Maps Official website

Kapaleeshwarar Temple in photographs

5 freely-licensed photographs of this temple, from Wikimedia Commons. Each is credited to its photographer.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - photograph 2 — © Sailko, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - photograph 3 — © H. Grobe, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - photograph 4 — © Nigel's Europe & beyond from Birmingham, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - photograph 5 — © Nigel's Europe & beyond from Birmingham, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Where this information comes from

Confidence: High. Opening and closing times taken from the temple's own page on the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department site, the government body that administers it. Timings still change on festival days.