GURU NANAK SAT SANGH SABHA

Established in 1949 by Lieutenant Colonel Gill, (former Director General of Prisons) the Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha helps to establish social, cultural and spiritual contact among Sikhs in Chennai. The original structure of the Gurudwara was pulled down and a new one built in its place a few years ago.

Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Arjan Dev's birthdays and Bai Sakhi (New Year in the Sikh calendar) are occasions for Sikh families in the city to come together to pray and fraternise. Teachings from the Guru Granth Sahib (the Holy Book of the Sikhs) are read. A free langhar (community kitchen) called Guru ka Langhar is run at the Gurudwara. In a langhar all are treated as equals, regardless of whether they are rich or poor. There is also a free medical centre, which provides health care to the poor.

Every Sunday the congregation participates in poojas, kirthans and the langhar. There are also prayer services in the morning and evening. Daily prayer starts with recitation from the Granth Sahib, after which kirthans are sung.

SRI KAPAALEESWARA TEMPLE

This most important Shiva temple in the city is also the most splendid example of Dravidian temple architecture in Chennai.

In the heart of bustling Mylapore, the 120 feet tall Gopuram (spire or tower), the 18th century tank and the bronze statues of the 63 Shaivite saints make this shrine a must-see pilgrimage spot for visiting devotees.

The 63 figures are carried in a procession on the eighth day of the 10-day Aruvathumoovar festival in March-April.

The temple has goddess Parvathi depicted as a Peacock worshipping the Shiva lingam.

In the outer courtyard is the sacred Punnai tree - one of the city's oldest.

A sculptural representation in front of the temple flagmast, shows Saint Gnanasambandar singing to raise up a dead girl. The temple is believed to be the site where this miracle took place.

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