The Kapaleeshwarar temple in mylapore, chennai , with a seven-tiered Gopuram, is known for magnificent sculptures depicting Puranic incidents.Kapaleeswar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple houses the shrines of Kapaleeswar (Shiva) and Karpagambal (goddess Parvati). The temple architecture reveals the Dravidian traits, with its carved gopuram measuring about 37 metres in height. The temple is also provided with elaborate mandapams and a storage tank. The inscriptions on the temple structure are some seven and a half centuries old. The structure was renovated by the Vijayanagar kings in the 16th century A.D. The facade of the structure lies towards the east and the entrance is marked with Puranic inscriptions. The temple flag mast has the shrine of Saint Gnanasambandar, who is believed to have resurrected a girl. This shrine is one of the reasons for the popularity of the temple. The Punnai tree in the courtyard reveals the tale that eventually gave the place (Mylapore) its name. This tree is the oldest of its kind in the city of Chennai.

Kapaleeswaram is provided with a Shiv Lingam, which is believed as having been installed by the Brahma, to do penance. The lingam is known Kapaleeswarar. A small shrine of Parvati in the form of peacock is contained within the courtyard. There is one more courtyard that houses the shrines of 63 saints.

The place witnesses a huge crowd during the Arupathu Moovar Vizha Festival. The temple is beautifully adorned with the streets complimenting the stated phenomenon. There are processions, sweet distribution ceremonies and classical dance performance in the nearby region. The ten days festival gives the temple and the area of Mylapore a new tint of excitement.