Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple

The Parthasarathy Temple, located in the neighbourhood of Thiruvallikeni in Chennai, India, is a 6th-century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Vishnu. The temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil literature canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to 9th centuries CE, and is classified among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. The name 'Parthasarathy' means the 'charioteer of Arjuna', referring to Krishna's role as a charioteer to Arjuna in the epic Mahabharata. Originally built by the Pallavas in the 6th century by King Narasimhavarman I, the temple houses icons of five forms of Vishnu: Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha, and Krishna as Parthasarathy. It is one of the oldest structures in Chennai. The temple has shrines for Vedavalli Thayar, Ranganatha, Rama, Gajendra Varadar, Narasimha, Andal, Hanuman, Alvars, Ramanuja, Swami Manavala Mamunigal, and Vedanthachariar. The temple subscribes to the Vaikhanasa Agama and follows the Tenkalai tradition, featuring separate entrances and dhwaja stambha for the Parthasarathy and Yoga Narasimha temples. The gopuram (towers) and mandapas (pillars) are decorated with elaborate carvings, a standard feature of South Indian temple architecture.

Timings

Morning: 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & Evening: 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Entry Fee

No entry fee is charged

The Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple in Thiruvallikeni, Chennai, is a revered Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Vishnu. The temple's primary deity, Sri Venkatakrishnan (Parthasarathy), is Krishna depicted as Arjuna's charioteer in the Mahabharata. The temple's origins date back to the 6th century when it was built by King Narasimhavarman I of the Pallava dynasty, and it was later renovated by the Vijayanagara Kings in the 11th century.

Legend states that Vishnu devotee King Sumathirajan desired to see Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy and was blessed with a vision of Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer. Krishna, bearing scars from the arrows shot by Bhishma, stayed in this form at the temple.

The temple features multiple shrines, including those for Ramar, Ranganatha, Varadharaja, Narasimha (Azhagiyasingar), and Andal. The temple follows the Vaikhanasa Agama and the Tenkalai tradition, and it is renowned for its elaborate carvings on the gopurams and mandapas.

Significantly, the temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and attracts large crowds, especially during the Vaikunta Ekadashi festival, when 4,000 hymns are recited in praise of the deity. It is believed to have served as a resting place for pilgrims travelling from Tirupati for over 5,000 years. The temple is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Who built the temple :

According to stone inscriptions, the current temple was constructed by a Pallava King between 779-830 AD. The Gopuram at the entrance was assembled by Thondaiman Chakravarthy, another Pallavan King. Later, the Vijayanagar rulers also contributed to the renovation of the temple.

Inscriptions also detail the contributions of Nandivarman, Veera Venkatapathi Raja of Vijayanagar, Rangaraya Deva, Mahamaravarman, Tribhuvana Veera Veera Deva Kulottungan, and Rajaraja Devan.

The temple of Vedavalli Thayar was constructed during the later part of the 19th century.

Speciality/ Greatness of the temple :

History and Significance: Lord Krishna, as Parthasarathy, received arrows shot by Bhishma to protect Arjuna in the battlefield. These scars are still visible on the deity. The ghee in the nivedhana (offering) is said to help heal these wounds, and no spices are used in the offerings to the Lord.

Devotees with unattractive complexions can learn that beauty is fleeting and can be affected by age, illness, or other life events by praying to Lord Parthasarathy.

Legends:

Sage Brugu performed penance here to have Lord as his son-in-law. He found a female child, Vedavalli, in the Alli flower in the Pushkarini. When she reached marriageable age, Lord Ranganatha married her. This wedding festival is celebrated on Dwadasi in the full moon fortnight of the month of Masi (February-March). Vedavalli Thayar blesses devotees from her own separate shrine and only goes around the prakara on Fridays and Uthiram star days.

Lord Krishna’s role in the Mahabharata is highlighted in his appearance as Venkatakrishna in the sanctum, with Mother Rukmini, Mother Mahalakshmi, brother Balarama, Satyaki, son Pradyumna, and grandson Aniruddha, promoting family harmony. Lord Rama has a separate shrine with Mother Sita, Lakshmana, Bharatha, Satrugna, and Sri Anjaneya.

Do's and Don'ts

Bathe and Wear Clean Clothes: Before entering the temple, it is essential to bathe and wear clean, modest clothes as a sign of respect for the sacred space and its deities. Cleanliness is considered a form of spiritual purity and is important for maintaining the sanctity of the temple.
Respect Ancient Customs and Co-Pilgrims: Uphold the traditional customs of the temple and show respect to fellow pilgrims. Adhering to these practices helps maintain the sanctity of the temple environment and fosters a sense of community among worshippers.

Smoking and Drinking Prohibited: Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited within the temple premises. Such activities are seen as disrespectful and can disrupt the spiritual atmosphere of the sacred space.
Chewing Betel Leaves, Tobacco, Gutka, and Spitting: Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka, and spitting inside the temple is strictly forbidden. These actions can lead to unhygienic conditions and disrespect the purity and cleanliness expected in a place of worship.

Dress Code

For men : Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.

For women : Saree or half-saree with blouse or churidar with pyjama and upper cloth. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

How to reach

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Best Time to visit Parthasarathy Temple :

The Parthasarathy Temple is open for visits throughout the year, but the best time to visit Chennai is between November and February when the weather is cooler and more pleasant. If you wish to experience the floral festival, plan your visit from mid-February to mid-March, as this is when the temple hosts the vibrant and colourful celebrations.

By Air : The temple is approximately 4 kilometres away from both Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations. You can hire a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or use public buses to reach the temple from Chennai City Center.

By Rail: The temple is located 4 kilometres from both Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations. Additionally, it can be easily accessed via the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), with the Thiruvallikeni MRTS station situated just a few metres away from the temple.

By Air: The temple is approximately 18 kilometres from Chennai International Airport (Meenambakkam Airport). Link given below has direction by car/bus from to the temple:

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers:

Cooum River : The temple is near the Cooum River, which flows through Chennai and eventually into the Bay of Bengal.

Cities:

Chennai: The capital city of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is a major cultural, economic, and educational centre in South India. It is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and numerous temples, including the Parthasarathy Temple.
Kanchipuram: Known as the city of thousand temples, Kanchipuram is a short drive from Chennai and is famous for its ancient temples and silk sarees.
Mahabalipuram: Also known as Mamallapuram, this historic city is located along the Coromandel Coast and is known for its group of monuments, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.