Literary evidence in innumerable songs and hymns, reveal the existence of Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple many centuries before Christ. Historical accounts clearly indicate that Tiruvalluvar and Peyalwar lived in Mylapore which adds glory to this holy place. Mylapore was a well known sea port and trade centre even before 2000 years.

The name Mylapore is derived from the ledgend that the Goddess Uma worshipped Lord Siva in the form of a peacock ( or mayil in Tamil). We can see a representation of this legend on stone in a small Shrine under a punnai tree (Sthaka Vriksha) in the Courtyard of the temple