MYLAPORE

'Mylapore' is one of the oldest areas within Chennai (formerly Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. It enjoys prominence as an important part of Chennai city and is connected with other parts of the city by the Metropolitan buses and the MRTS. Often referred to as the downtown of Chennai, it is famous for the Kapaleeshwarar temple. It is predominantly a residential area.
Ancient Mylapore was typically an area dominated by the Hindu community. Eventually, other religions too have found in Mylapore a peaceful co-existence.
Mylapore can be considered to be the cultural hub of the city.

Contents

Eateries

Education

Transportation

MRTS

MTC

Temples

History

Cultural hub

Places of importance in Mylapore

References

Eateries

Mylapore is popular for the numerous Vegetarian eateries. The most famous ones that are being spoken about are the Rayar's cafe in Kutchery Rd, The Karpagambal Mess in East Mada Street etc., which still remain today. Many years back (during the 80s) there were other popular eateries like Prakash Bhavan, adjacent to the Leo Coffee in South Mada Street and Hotel Navasakthi Vinayaga opposite to the Taxi stand near Chitrakulam, Ambika Appalam Depot for Savouries, Kalatthi Rose Milk which has a good flavour.

Education

Mylapore boasts of renouned educational institutions such as Vivekananda College, P.S.Senior Secondary School, Vidya Mandir Secondary School, Sivaswami Kalalaya School, P.S Higher Secondary School, which is over a hundred years old.

Transportation

MRTS

Mylapore's MRTS railway station, called Thirumylai Railway Station, connects it to other MRTS areas of Chennai.

MTC

MTC buses connect Mylapore to important areas like Chennai Central, T. Nagar.
Buses starting/ending at Mylapore:

★ 5B: Goes between Mylapore and T. Nagar. The frequency is approximately 15 minutes. This is one of the oldest bus routes of Chennai.
Other buses:
Some buses that go to Anna Square or Triplicane from city areas go via Mylapore.

Temples

'''''Kapaleeswarar temple'''''
Legend has it that Goddess Parvathi, the divine consort of Lord Shiva, did penance at Mylapore taking the form of a pea-hen, in order to be wedded to him. The name ''Mylapore'' is derived from this legend - "Myil" in Tamil means a peacock. The famous 'Kapaleeswarar temple' in Mylapore and its beautiful temple tank are associated with this legend.
The Famous geographer Ptolemy had described about in his writings about the Mylapore and the famous Kapaleeshwarar temple. The temple boasts of exquisitive architecture and one of the most celebrated shrine of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati.
The Kapaleeshwarar temple is one of the most important temples in the world. The temple has statues of all the Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu Religion.Being built in the 7th century this temple stands as one of the most famous wonders of the Hindu religion and praises the Pallava kings for their never ending faith in the religion.
The temple has other shrines dedicated to Ganesha (a dancing form called Nardana Vinayakar), Muruga (called Singara Velar), with his two consorts Valli and Deivayani. Smaller shrines are dedicated to other forms of Shiva (Annamalaiar, Sundareswarar and Jagatheswarar), Muruga (Palani Andavar) and others. In particular, there is a shrine with an image of a peahen, which is where Mylapore derives its name from. Navagraha shrine is also present. There is a separate shrine for Sani Bhagavan and special puja's will be done on Saturday.
The present 'Kapaleeswarar temple' was built 300-400 years ago at a different location.(See external links).
The KesavaPerumal Temple
One of the main attraction of Mylapore is the famous ''KesavaPerumal Temple''. Maha Vishnu the Hindu god credited as the "Saviour" and the brother of Goddess Parvati, the celestial consort of Lord Shiva "Destroyer" and the daughter of Himavan. Maha Vishnu stands as KesavaPerumal one of the many avatars of the Hindu god Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu stands here along with his celestial consort Goddess Lakshmi who carries the name of MayuraValli Thayar" The Goddess of Wealth". A beautiful temple that boasts of the exquisitive architecture of the Hindu type of temples.
' Sri Vedantha Desikar Devasthanam'
Mylapore also boasts of the 'Srinivasar temple' near "Chitra Kulam" in Mylapore, which is administered by the Sri Vedantha Desikar Devasthanam (SVDD). It is located just beside the Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, which has an imposing gopuram that can be seen from quite a distance.
The 'Srinivasar temple' has a history of over 350 years. A vigraha of Sri Vedanta Desika was brought from the adjacent Kesavaperumal temple and installed here. Since elders felt that the Acharya should not preside alone, a vigraha of Lakshmi Hayagriva modelled on the idol of the Mysore Parakala mutt was brought and installed. The Parakala mutt is also located in Mylapore (opposite road to Mylai railway station). The shrine of the great teacher Vedantha Desika is the one that faces north and it is the first shrine one sees in the temple. Sri Vedantha Desika lived over 730 years ago in South India. He wrote erudite commentaries on Ramanuja's Sribhashyam, Gita Bhashyam and was a great exponent of Visishtadvaita.
Hayagriva was the "upasana daivam" of Vedantha Desika and therefore worshipping him here is considered doubly beneficial. He is said to have performed penance in Sivanasamudram on the banks of the Cauvery river for 10 years. He lived on this earth for 120 years, which is the prescribed lifespan of a human being according to ancient texts. He left behind five noted disciples (Jeers). Apart from the sanctums sanctorum of Lord Srinivasa and Alamelumanga Thayar, there are shrines to Lord Rama, Lord Narasimha and the Azhwars.
Throughout the year a lot of festivals are celebrated in the temple. Srinivasa Perumal Brahmothsavam, Desikar Uthsavam, Pavithra Uthsavam, Sri Rama Navami are the more prominent ones. Photos of these uthsavams can be viewed here

History

Mylapore is associated with the Tamil saint 'Thiruvalluvar' who composed the great Tamil work Thirukkural. There is also a temple dedicated to him here. It is widely believed that Thiruvalluvar was born in Mylapore, and hence the temple is supposed to be the home where he had lived centuries and centuries ago.
This place is also associated with Ptolemy the Egyptian traveller. He is supposed to have arrived at this place, which was once a thriving port city.
Marco Polo's travels also contain references to Mylapore and the practices of observing certain unlucky hours everyday, during which all normal activity is suspended.
Other ancient temples like Madhava Perumal, Mundagakanni Amman, KolaVizhi Amman, Anjaneyar Temple, Apparswamy Temple, Vellishwarar Temple are of great significance.

Cultural hub

'Mylapore' can also be seen as the hub of the cultural events in the City. Every December several sabhas in Mylapore (besides those in other parts of the city) organize a 5 week long Carnatic music festival called the December Music Season. There are performances by leading Carnatic Music vocalists and artists during this period, more than any other city in India. The Parthasarathy Swami Sabha in Mylapore is the oldest Sabha (Assembly) in Tamil Nadu. The Madras Music Academy, Mylapore is also an important nucleus of Art events in the city. Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan Auditorium is also known for conducting cultural events.
Nageshwara Rao Garden is known for its play area, shrubs and also cultural events.
Mylapore Times, a weekly neighbourhood newspaper, covers relevant issues relating to the neighbourhood of Mylapore.

Places of importance in Mylapore

★ Kapaleeshwarar Kovil

★ Sri Srinivasar Kovil

★ Sri Ramakrishna Math & Universal Temple

★ Thiruvalluvar Temple

★ Madras Music Academy

References

★ Mylapore page on Metblogs

★ Mylapore page on Rediff