Mylapore
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Mylapore is the oldest area within Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. To this day it enjoys prominence as an important part of Chennai city and is well connected with other parts of the city by the Metropolitan buses and the MRTS. It is often referred to as the "DOWNTOWN" of Chennai.
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.
Mylapore is also 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
The apostle St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus is supposed to have come to Mylapore. It is to commemorate this that the Portuguese built the San Thome church after destroying the Kapaleeswaraar temple that stood at its place. The present Kapaleeswarar temple was built 300-400 years ago at a different location.(See external links).
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. The Parthasarathy Swami Sabha in Mylapore is the oldest Sabha in Tamil Nadu. The Madras Music Academy, Mylapore is an important nucleus of Art events in the city.
Places of Importance in Mylapore
- Kapaleeshwarar_Kovil
- Sri Ramakrishna Math (http://www.sriramakrishnamath.org/Home.asp)
- Universal Temple
- Thiruvalluvar Temple
- Madras Music Academy
- Vivekanandar Illam (http://www.sriramakrishnamath.org/activity/illam.shtml)
External links
- A controversial discussion on the visit of St.Thomas to Mylapore (http://hamsa.org)
Santhome Cathedral