Mylapore

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Mylapore
Mylapore
State - District(s)	Tamil Nadu - Chennai
Coordinates	13.1° N 80.16° E
Area
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Population - Density	-
Codes - Postal - Telephone - Vehicle	- 600 004 - +044 - TN-X

The Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore was built by the Pallava kings in the 7th century

The Mylapore MRTS station, seen from Luz Corner

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.

Ancient Mylapore was typically an area dominated by the Hindu community. Eventually, other religions too have found in Mylapore a peaceful co-existence.

Mylapore is also 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. Of course, during the 80s, Taxis were more popular than Autos and the Gandhi Statue location (near the Chandra travels corner) also served as the Taxi stand, since it gave people visibility from all streets.

Let's also not forget the Rasika Ranjani Sabha that attaches musical and art importances to Mylapore.

Mylapore is famous for its mamis(aged and normally orthodox women ),there are several schools in the area, most of which preach orthodox ideas. The place is too crowded but the tank is not dangerous,no really it is not! You can swim in it without fear of contracting diseases. Although you might have to be on the lookout for a catfish or two.

1 Temples
2 History
3 Churches of Mylapore
4 Cultural Hub
5 Places of Importance in Mylapore
6 References

[edit] Temples

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 present Kapaleeswarar temple was built 300-400 years ago at a different location.(See external links).

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 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 deivam" 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. Sri Rama Navami is a celebrated festival in the temple. In fact, most of the residents in the area call the temple "Ramar Kovil."

[edit] 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.

[edit] Churches of Mylapore

The apostle St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ is believed to have come to Mylapore (see Saint Thomas of Mylapur).

According to tradition, St.Thomas landed at Crangannore|Muziris in Kerala in 52 A.D. and visited Mylapore, St.Thomas Mount and Little Mount on the Coromandel Coast. The Christians believe that he died in 72 A.D. at St.Thomas Mount and the body was buried in Mylapore.

The Portuguese built the Santhome Church in Gothic architecture over the tomb where the ancient church stood.The Gothic Cathedral was raised to the dignity of a Basilica by Pope Pius XII on 16th March 1956. During 2004 the magnificent Gothic Cathedral was renovated, restored and an underground chapel was built to facilitate the visitors to reach the tomb through a separate entrance without disturbing the Holy Services inside the Cathedral.

[edit] 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.

Mylapore Times, a weekly neighbourhood newspaper, covers relevant issues relating to the neighbourhood of Mylapore.