Parthasarathi Triplicane

Parthasarathy Triplicane

108 Divya Desam Temples, Chennai District

God

Venkata Krishnan, facing east.
Other name are Meesai Vaitha Perumal and Parthasarathi

Goddess

Vedavalli Thaayaar facing east

Other Deities

Aandal, Garuda, Anjaneya, Ranganathar, Rama, Gajendra Varadarajar, Narasimha, Alwars, Ramanujar, Manavala Mamunigal, Vedanthachariar

Parthasarathi Triplicane Temple is synonymous with Chennai. This east facing temple has a east facing Rajagopuram with 5 tiers, 2 Prakarams, a large Temple Tank to the east of the Rajagopuram and an atmosphere which goes back to days gone by making the experience truly unique. The utsavar idol has the markings of the wounds rendered by Bheeshma during the Kurukshetra War of Mahabaratha. The holy tank of this temple does not have any fishes. Vishnu appears here with a large Moustache. Lord Krishna is present here with his family members – Rukmini, Balarama, Sathyaki, Anirudha and Prathyumna.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Kairavini Theertham, Indira Theertham, Soma Theertham, Meena Theertham, Agni Theertham, Vishnu Theertham.

Holy Tree (Sthala Vriksham) –

Vimaanam – Ananda, Pranava, Pushpa, Sesha, Vaidheega Vimanam.

History

Parthasarathi Triplicane is a 108 Divya Desam temple, Mangalasasanam by Thirumangai Azhwar, Paei Azhwar and Thirumazhisai Azhwar (7th to 9th Century CE). The temple was built in the 8th Century CE by Narasimhavarma Pallava I. But it is also believed that the original temple existed before that period.

The temple was expanded by Cholas and later by the Vijayanagara Kings (Sadasiva Raya, Sriranga Raya and Venkatapati Raya II) in the 15th and 16th Century CE. Stone inscriptions here record the contributions of the Chola Kings Raja Raja and Kulottunga III, Pandya King Maravarman. Thirumangai Alwar, (9th Century CE) attributes the building of temple to the Pallava King Nandivarman of the 8th Century. The Rajagopuram was also built by a Pallava King – Tondaiman Chakravarthy. The temple was restored during 1564 CE and new shrines were added.

Bharathiar, the legendary Tamil poet and independence activist was struck by an elephant at the temple, whom he used to feed regularly. Although he survived the incident, a few months later his health deteriorated and he died.

Legend

The utsavar idol at Parthasarathi Triplicane has the markings of the wounds rendered by Bheeshma during the Kurukshetra War of Mahabaratha. Krishna was the Charioteer for Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war of the epic Mahabaratha. He is represented in this temple as Parthasarathi (Charioteer, Sarathi of Partha, Arjuna).

Directions

Parthasarathi Triplicane is well connected by Public transport from all parts of Chennai. Bus terminus and metro rail stations are nearby. Narrow lanes lead to the temple, making driving difficult sometimes. The temple has car parking space.

Stay and Food

Ratna Café located behind the temple on Pycrofts Road is an excellent old place for food, particularly their famous Idly and Sambar. Parking cars here is not possible and it is advisable to leave the car near the temple and take an auto or cycle rickshaw. Try eating in the non air-conditioned section as food tastes better there! Apart from this there are many street eateries which are good and worth trying. Chennai has many hotels to stay according to your locational convenience.

108 Divya Desam Temples

Tamilnadu Temples