Parthasarathy Temple
The Parthasarathy Temple is an 8th century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, located at Triplicane, Chennai. It is one among the 108 divyadesams or holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna is worshipped in the name 'Parthasarathy' in this temple, which means in Sanskrit, 'charioteer of Arjuna'.
It was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century by king Narasimhavarman I. One of the distinguishing features of is that it has four of the incarnations or avatars of Vishnu: Narasimha, Rama, Varaha and Krishna.
There are shrines for Sri Vedhavalli Thayaar, Sri Ranganatha, Sri Rama, Sri Gajendra Varadharaja Swamy, Narasimha, Sri Andal, Sri Anjaneya, Alwars, Ramanuja, Swami Manavala Mamunigal and Vedanthachariar. There are separate entrances for Lord Parthasarathy and Lord Narasimha.
According to Hindu Puranas, Lord Krishna was the charioteer for Arjuna during the Mahabharata war when he gave the Hindu holy book of Bhagavad Gita. Hence, the God, Sri Parthasarathy's face is full of scars created by the arrows of the Great Bhishma in the Kurukshetra war. Other interesting thing is that, God Krishna 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 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 three of them namely Peyalwar, Thirumazhisai alwar and Thirumangaialwar have sung on the different forms of God in this temple. The temple and the area Tiruallikkeni derives the name from the Holy tank. It is said Goddess Mahalakshmi herself was born here as Vedavalli to Sage Bhrigu. Lily flowers bloomed in this tank. This tank consistes of five sacred wells, and so it is said that its waters are holier than the Ganges.
Eastern side Rajagopuram and other structures are said to have buidt by Thondaman Chakravarthi, who ruled this parts from Kalahasthi.
Anantha Nilaya Vimanam for Parthasarathy Swamy, Ranganathar Sannadhi Vimanam, Ramar Sannadhi Vimanam, Thayar Sannadhi Vimanam, Narasimhar Sannadhi Vimanam, and Andal Sannadhi Vimanams are seen in this temple.
The Mahamandapam and the Mandapam in front of Sri Parthasarathy Swamy called Thiruvoimozhi Prabandha Mandapam, show pre Pallava architecture, indicating that the mandapams are later annextures to original shrine.
Except Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Shrine, other shrines have been renovated in the beginning of the century and the shrine of Sri Vedavalli Thayar and the 36 pillared mandapam in front of the temple were build in the later part of the last Century.
Thulabharam is provided in front of Ticket counter for worshipping public. Annadhanam Scheme is conducted daily for worshipping public
>> Agasteeshwara Temple
>> Anantha Padmanabhaswami Temple
>> Ananthasana Temple
>> Annapoorneshwari Temple
>> Arunachaleshwar Temple