Note that you can click on the pictures for more details.
Mylapore was once one of the largest and most powerful villages in Southern India, visited by Marco Polo, and surviving as a dominate kingdom until it was subjugated by the British. Being close to the British fort, it was one of the many villages that would eventually be incorporated into the city of Madras (After India gained it's independence from England, many colonial names were changed, Madras being renamed Chennai).
Because of Mylapore's prominence, it has one of the largest and oldest temples in Chennai. The original ancient temple close to the beach is no longer. The Kapaleeswarar temple that stands today was built three to four hundred years ago further inland, using some of the stones from the original.
The Gopuram is the large pyramid that towers over the entrance to the walled temple. These pyramids are terraced with sculptures in stucco from the many Hindu stories.
Inside the massive 12'-14' tall doors is a courtyard that holds the main sanctuary, which is reserved for people of the Hindu faith, and many other smaller temples dedicated to various deities.
Worshipers will stop to pray at the different shrines, always circling in a clockwise direction, keeping their right side to the inner sanctuary. As I understand it, the right side of the body is considered to be clean or pure, which is also why it is customary to greet someone or eat with your right hand, reserving the left for taking off your shoes or other "dirty" tasks. On a side note, it takes a little practice to be able to eat in the traditional manner, without implements, using only your right hand, without making a complete mess of things.
Temples serve as a center for social activities, where people can hang out, worship, hear concerts or hold important events such as weddings at the open hall.
Near the larger temples you will always find a "tank" or pond. I'm not sure, but I believe they serve a very practical pupose for water storage.
Because of Mylapore's prominence, it has one of the largest and oldest temples in Chennai. The original ancient temple close to the beach is no longer. The Kapaleeswarar temple that stands today was built three to four hundred years ago further inland, using some of the stones from the original.
The Gopuram is the large pyramid that towers over the entrance to the walled temple. These pyramids are terraced with sculptures in stucco from the many Hindu stories.
Inside the massive 12'-14' tall doors is a courtyard that holds the main sanctuary, which is reserved for people of the Hindu faith, and many other smaller temples dedicated to various deities.
Worshipers will stop to pray at the different shrines, always circling in a clockwise direction, keeping their right side to the inner sanctuary. As I understand it, the right side of the body is considered to be clean or pure, which is also why it is customary to greet someone or eat with your right hand, reserving the left for taking off your shoes or other "dirty" tasks. On a side note, it takes a little practice to be able to eat in the traditional manner, without implements, using only your right hand, without making a complete mess of things.
Temples serve as a center for social activities, where people can hang out, worship, hear concerts or hold important events such as weddings at the open hall.Near the larger temples you will always find a "tank" or pond. I'm not sure, but I believe they serve a very practical pupose for water storage.
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