Parthasarathy Swamy
Arulmigu Parthasarathy Swamy Temple
Parthasarathy Temple is an ancient Vaishnavite temple located in Thiruvallikeni, also known as Triplicane, in Chennai. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is believed to have been established by the Pallavas between the 6th and 8th centuries CE and is considered one of the oldest surviving structures in Chennai. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams praised by the Alvar saints in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.
The presiding deity is Lord Krishna worshipped as Parthasarathy, meaning “the charioteer of Arjuna.” This form commemorates Krishna’s role as Arjuna’s charioteer during the Mahabharata war. The deity is unusually depicted with a prominent moustache and carries a conch. Marks on the image are traditionally believed to represent wounds received from Bhishma’s arrows during the battle.
In the main sanctum, Parthasarathy is accompanied by Rukmini, Balarama, Satyaki, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. This rare arrangement represents Krishna together with members of his family and close companion. The temple is also notable for housing five important forms of Vishnu: Parthasarathy, Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja and Ranganatha. Because of its strong association with Krishna, Thiruvallikeni is sometimes described as the Southern Vrindavan.
The temple contains separate shrines for Vedavalli Thayar, Andal, Hanuman, the Alvars, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika and Manavala Mamunigal. The Parthasarathy and Yoga Narasimha sections have separate entrances and flagstaffs. The temple follows the Vaikhanasa Agama and the Tenkalai tradition of Sri Vaishnavism.
According to legend, seven sages performed penance at this sacred place and worshipped the various forms of Vishnu. The locality was once filled with lily ponds, giving it the name Thiruvallikeni, meaning “sacred lily pond.” The temple tank is known as Kairavani Pushkarani and is traditionally believed to be associated with five sacred water sources.
The temple was expanded and renovated by successive Pallava, Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara rulers. Numerous inscriptions record royal donations, renovations and the construction of additional shrines and pillared halls. The gopurams and mandapas contain elaborate carvings representing various forms and incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
With its ancient history, distinctive image of Krishna as Parthasarathy, association with the Alvar saints and shrines dedicated to several forms of Vishnu, the Parthasarathy Temple remains one of Chennai’s most important centres of Sri Vaishnava worship.
The presiding deity is Lord Krishna worshipped as Parthasarathy, meaning “the charioteer of Arjuna.” This form commemorates Krishna’s role as Arjuna’s charioteer during the Mahabharata war. The deity is unusually depicted with a prominent moustache and carries a conch. Marks on the image are traditionally believed to represent wounds received from Bhishma’s arrows during the battle.
In the main sanctum, Parthasarathy is accompanied by Rukmini, Balarama, Satyaki, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. This rare arrangement represents Krishna together with members of his family and close companion. The temple is also notable for housing five important forms of Vishnu: Parthasarathy, Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja and Ranganatha. Because of its strong association with Krishna, Thiruvallikeni is sometimes described as the Southern Vrindavan.
The temple contains separate shrines for Vedavalli Thayar, Andal, Hanuman, the Alvars, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika and Manavala Mamunigal. The Parthasarathy and Yoga Narasimha sections have separate entrances and flagstaffs. The temple follows the Vaikhanasa Agama and the Tenkalai tradition of Sri Vaishnavism.
According to legend, seven sages performed penance at this sacred place and worshipped the various forms of Vishnu. The locality was once filled with lily ponds, giving it the name Thiruvallikeni, meaning “sacred lily pond.” The temple tank is known as Kairavani Pushkarani and is traditionally believed to be associated with five sacred water sources.
The temple was expanded and renovated by successive Pallava, Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara rulers. Numerous inscriptions record royal donations, renovations and the construction of additional shrines and pillared halls. The gopurams and mandapas contain elaborate carvings representing various forms and incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
With its ancient history, distinctive image of Krishna as Parthasarathy, association with the Alvar saints and shrines dedicated to several forms of Vishnu, the Parthasarathy Temple remains one of Chennai’s most important centres of Sri Vaishnava worship.