Thirumayilai

Thirumayilai — today's Mylapore neighbourhood in Chennai — is the site of the Madhava Perumal temple (also called Kesava Perumal temple), the Divya Desam within one of Chennai's most culturally rich and historically dense neighbourhoods. The presiding deity is Kesava Perumal — the original beautiful-haired form of Vishnu — standing in a gracious upright posture. Thirumangai Alvar sang Mangalasasanam for this Desam in the Periya Tirumozhi. The name Mayilai comes from the peacock (mayil) and the presence of the goddess in the area. The neighbourhood also contains the famous Kapaleeshwarar Shiva temple and is one of the oldest parts of Chennai, with a documented history going back to the Pallava period. The temple tank (Kapali Tank area) was historically shared between the Shaiva and Vaishnava communities. The goddess consort is Komalavalli (Madhavi Thayar) here.

The Puranic legend holds that the sage Tirumurai and a peacock (mayil) both worshipped at this spot — the peacock for beauty and divine grace, the sage for wisdom. Vishnu, pleased with the peacock's pure aesthetic worship, appeared as Kesava — the beautiful-haired — blessing both devotees. The peacock's feathers are said to retain the divine beauty seen here, which is why Krishna — also Kesava — wears peacock feathers.