Sri Parthasarathy Temple - Oldest Hindu Temple in Chennai

 
The Parthasarathy Temple is an 6th-century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Vishnu, located at Thiruvallikeni, Chennai, India. The temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil literature canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to 9th centuries CE and is classified as 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 Mahabaratha.
 
The Parthasarathy Temple was originally built by the Pallavas in the 6th century by king Narasimhavarman I. The temple has icons of five forms of Vishnu: Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha and Krishna as Parthasarathy. The temple is one of the oldest structures in Chennai. There are shrines of Vedavalli Thayar, Ranganatha, Rama, Gajendra Varadar, Narasimha, Andal, Hanuman, Alvars, Ramanuja, Swami Manavala Mamunigal and Vedanthachariar. There are separate entrances and Dwajastambhas 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.
 
The temple was built by the Pallavas, subsequently expanded by Cholas and later by the Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century. The temple has several inscriptions dating from the 8th century in Tamil presumably from the period of Dantivarman and Nandivarman, who was a Vishnu devotee. From the internal references of the temple, it appears that the temple was restored during 1564 CE when new shrines were built. In later years, endowments of villages and gardens have enriched the temple. The temple witnessed a major expansion during the rule of the Vijayanagar kings like Sadasiva Raya, Sriranga Raya and Venkatapati Raya II (16th century). Many subshrines and pillared pavilions (mandapas) like the Tiruvaimozhi Mandapa were added.
 
 
The pushkarani is called Kairavani and five sacred teerthams are believed to surround the tank - Indra, Soma, Agni, Meena and Vishnu. Seven rishis - Bhrigu, Atri, Marichi, Markandeya, Sumati, Saptaroma and Jabali - performed penance here. All five deities in the temple have been extolled by Tirumangai Azhvar. There is also a separate shrine for Andal, one of the 12 Alvars who is also considered as a consort to the presiding deity. It is one of the very few shrines in the country dedicated to Krishna as Parthasarathy, charioteer of Arjuna and to contains idols of three avatars of Vishnu: Narasimha, Rama, and Krishna.
 
Unusually, he is depicted with a prominent moustache and carries a conch in his hand. Also unusual is the iconographical combination found in the sanctum. Here, Krishna is seen standing with consort Rukmini, elder brother Balarama, son Pradyumna, grandson Aniruddha and Satyaki. Because of the association of the temple with Krishna, Tiruvallikeni came to be regarded as the Southern Vrindavana.
 
 
The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows vaikanasa aagama. The temple has grand brahmotsavams (big festival) for Sri Parthasarathy swami during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April–May), on the same month Udayavar uthsavam is also celebrated. In the month of Vaigasi, Sri Varadarajar uthsavam, Sri Nammalwar uthsavam (vaigasi-visagam) and Vasanthothsavam are celebrated. Sri Azhagiyasingar (Lord Narashimha) during the Tamil month of Aani (June–July). So uniquely two Bhrammotsavams are performed here annually. There are also festivals for Ramanuja (April–May) and Manavalamamunigal (Oct-Nov) besides festivals for Alvars and Acharyas. Vaikunta Ekadesi and during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) draws lot of pilgrims.
 
Utsavams take place around the year in Parthasarathy temple. Urchavams or utsavams, as these are termed, take place for a particular god at a particular period of time in the year. It is a religious practise to carry the different gods of the temple through the mada veethis of triplicane during some of these festivals. The Gods move in different religiously built temple vehicles (vaghanams) like Elephant, Garuda, Horse, Yaali (a mythical animal), Hamsa (Swan), Hanuman, temple Rath (chariot or Ratham), etc. During festival days the Parthasarathy Temple is given a new look accompanied by various traditional rites.
 
Temple Timings: All Days 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM Morning and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Evening.


Hotel near Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Hotel near Sri Parthasarathy Temple are :
  1. The Savera (3.6 Km, 10min)
  2. GRT Hotel (77.5 Km, 2hr 10min)
  3. AKG Lodge (78.2 Km, 2hr 12min)
  4. Jaybala International (78.3 Km, 2hr 14min)
  5. Sri Hari Residency (79.4 Km, 2hr 15min)
.

South India Heritage Tour

Duration : 16 Days - 15 Nights
Destination Covered :

Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Gangai Kondacholapuram - Darasuram - Swamimalai - Karaikudi - Dindigul - Madurai - Kovalam - Kumarakom - Cochin

View Details

Beach Vacations

Photo for Beach Vacations
Duration : 13 Days - 12 Nights
Destination Covered :

Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Tiruchirappalli - Tanjore - Madurai - Thekkady - Periyar - Kumarakom - Trivandrum - Kovalam

View Details

Cultural golden triangle tour Mumbai

Photo for Cultural golden triangle tour Mumbai
Duration : 22 Days - 21 Nights
Destination Covered :

Mumbai - Aurangabad - Udaipur - Pushkar - Jaipur - Sawai Madhopur - Agra - New Delhi - Kolkata - Chennai - Bangalore - Hassan - Mysore - Bangalore - Mumbai

View Details