Temples of Chennai - Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Sri Parthasarathy Temple is situated at Triplicane, Chennai,. the capital of Tamilnadu, India.

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE


A king by name Sumathi, showered his love toward the Balaji of Thirumala. But he wished to worship Balaji as Krishna. For the sake of him, Balaji Appeared in front of the king as Krishna, at this place in the pose which he stood in the Mahabharath war. At the end of that war he decided not to hold any weapons, so he appeared here only with a conche in his hand. hence this temple is known as parthasarathi temple


DIVINESS OF THE TEMPLE: The Moolavar of this sthalam is Venkata Krishnan. Along with Rukmani Piratiyar, he holds sword in one hand, Varadha Muthirai on the other hand and his brother Balaraman on his right, Sathaki on his left, son Prathyumnan, Grand son Aniruthan are also found near the Moolavar. This is one of the Sthalam where the Perumal shows his seva along with his three generations. He is found in standing [Nindra thirukkolam] position and facing his Thirumugham towards East direction.

The Parthasarathy temple in Chennai dedicated to Lord Krishna is perhaps one of the oldest temples in the city. Dating back to the 8th century BC, it was built by the Pallavas but was renovated by the Vijaynagar kings in the 16th century. The temple is renowned for its architecture and elaborate gopuram.


The Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane is spread over 1.5 acres. Sri Venkata Krishnaswamy is the presiding diety, with a conch in the right hand and the Gnana Mudra pointing to his holy feet. Another name for the diety is Geeta Charya.


According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was the charioteer for Arjuna during the Mahabharata war when he gave the Hindu holy book of Bhagavad Gita. Hence, the main deity, Sri Parthasarathy’s face is full of scars created by the arrows of the Great Bhishma in the Kurukshetra war. Other unusual things about this deity are that He is seen with a moustache and without his weapon Chakra. The reason attributed is that He promised not to take weapons in the Mahabharatha war and hence he has only his conch. As He was the charioteer He sported the moustache keeping with the tradition. The UTSAVAR (the procession deity, usually made of metal instead of stone) also has only a stick and not his mace as found with others. This is because the Lord was born in a cowherd clan.

Among the 12 alwars [the great saints in Vaishnavite tradition] three of them namely Peyalwar, Thirumazhisai alwar and Thirumangai alwar have sung about the deities of this temple


The temple also has a separate shrine for Sri Ranganatha reposing on the Adi Sesha. The other images in the temple are those of Sri Narasimha and Sri Varaha. The tank of this famous temple is called Karavei. This ancient temple finds reference in ancient Vaishnavite works of Alwar saints. It is one of the 108 sacred centers of the Vaishnavites.

Vaikunta Ekadashi is celebrated in a grand scale by the recital of the 4000 poems known as the 'Tamil Vedam', in praise of the Lord. Brhamotsavam is also celebrated in a grand manner every year, There are special prayers on Saturdays in the month of Purattasi.


This is a must-see Temple in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.