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Goddess Karpagambal – Consort of Kapali Shiva in the Kapaleeswarar Temple

At the famous Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore in Chennai, Shiva is worshiped as Kapali. His consort here is Goddess Karpagambal. She is a manifestation of Goddess Parvati.

Legend has it that once Shiva was narrating about the importance of Panchakshari Mantra to Goddess Parvati. But instead of listening to the discourse her attention was captured by a dancing peacock. Shiva was incensed by this act and he cursed her to be born on earth as a peacock.

Goddess Parvati repented and Shiva told her that she will attain back her original form when she completed her penance on earth under an Indian Laurel Tree (Punnai).

Goddess Parvati did here penance at the present day Kapaleeswarar Temple.



The sanctum sanctorum of Karpagambal is located to the south of the main sanctum sanctorum in the temple.

The murti of Goddess Karpagambal is 4 feet tall and is in standing posture. She has four arms and a beautiful face.

Every Friday special pujas are performed and the utsava murti (bronze murti used for temple rituals) is placed on a palanquin and carried around the temple three times to the accompaniment of traditional music and chanting of mantras.