History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Legend, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Parthasarathi Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Parthasarathy Temple is ancient historical Hindu Vaishnavite Temple of Supreme Lord Vishnu located in Thiruvallikeni or Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The word Parthsarathi is combination of two word, Parth and Sarathi. Here the word Partha means Arjuna in Sanskrit and the word Sarathy means the Charioteer. We all know very well the Lord Shree Krishna was the Charioteer of Arjun’s Chariot in the war of Mahabharata between Pandavas and Kauravavas in the land of Kurukshetra. This temple is the 61 Divya Desam of Vaishnav among 108 Divya Desams. Parthasarthy Temple is one of the oldest structures in Triplicane Chennai built more than 1000 years ago.
It is believed that the original temple was built in Dravidian style architecture by Pallavas rule Narasimhavarman I in the 8th century and then renovated by Cholas and the Vijayanagara Kings during their rule. The temple is glorified by the Divya Prabandha – sacred hymn in Tamil by Azhwars.
There are lots of tales associated with temple and this region, few important are mentioned below.
As per the Brahmanda Puranam, the five deities in the temple are said to have been worshipped by the Sapt Rishis viz. Bhrigu, Manchi, Atri, Markandeya, Sumathi, Saptharoma and Jabali.
As per the legends of the state that the King named Sumati went to Lord Thiruvengada of the Seven Hills to give him darshan in the form of the Sarathi of Parth during the Mahabharata war and rendering Geeta. Lord Thiruvengada appeared in his dream and told him to go to "BRINDARANYA" where he would give him Darshan in the form he wished. Then directed him to this sacred temple.
Parthasarthy Temple has idols and icons of 5 forms of Lord Vishnu - Rama, Narasimba, Gajendra Varadaraja ,Ranganatha and Krishna as Parthasarathy. As per Sri Pillailogam Jeeyar Swamy stated in his work - Ramanuja Divya Charithai that Sri Asoori Kesava Somayaji, father of Sri Ramanuja, performed Putrakaameshti Yagya at Kairavini the temple pond at Thiruvallikeni, and worshipped to Sri Parthasarathy to bless him with a son. Sri Parthasarathy appeared in the dreams of Sri Asoori Kesava Somayaji and promised that he will be born as his son to impart teachings of Bhagwad Gita for the benefit of mankind. Then Sri Ramanuja had written the Bhagavad Gita Bhashy.
In the temple on every Sundays conduct moral classes for the children and donation of food or Annadhanam for 100 people every day. The temple is located in the region which is called Alikeni it means pond of lily as the people said that the region had several Lily ponds and was once a Tulsi forest.
The temple and the nearby area Tiruvallikkeni derives the name from holy tank, where it is said that Goddess Mahalakshmi was born as Vedavalli to Sage Bhrugu. It is said that lily flowers bloomed in this tank. This tank is consist of five scared wells, and its water is said to be as holy as water of the Ganges. Float festival is held in this tank for seven days on the New Moon day in the month of Masi.
It is said that the pilgrims coming down from the legendary Tirupati temple to take a bath in the sea on the days of Solar or Lunar eclipse used to break journey here and rest in earlier days.
The majestic temple structure build in Dravidian style with beautifully carved Gopuram and Mandapam. The Mahamandapam and the Thiruvaimozhi Prabanda Mandapam showcase architecture of Pre Pallava period. The figures in the four pillar Kalyana Mandapam in front of the temple and the Hanumar temple on the eastern side tank of Vijayanagara art.
The Urchavams - (utsavams, festivals) celebrated in the Parthasarthy Temple, as these are called, take place for a particular god at a particular period of time. It is a purely practice to carry different Gods of the temple through the mada veethis of Chennai while some of these festivals. The Gods will move in different religiously built temple on vehicles like (vaghanams, as these are termed in Tamil), like Horse, Yaali (a mythical animal), Elephant, Garuda, Hanuman Hamsa (Swan), temple Rath (ther in Tamil, chariot or Ratham, alternative terms), etc. Parthasarthy Temple is administered by the Hindu moral and Endowment Board by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai cult of Vaishnavite tradition and as follows vaikanasa aagama.
All the festivals are celebrated with great zeal and devotion in the Parthasarthy Temple, the main are 10 days Laksharchana festival in month of February, 10 days Brahmmotsavam in April, Vaikuntha Ekadashi in month of December – January, new year day etc. During festival, thousands of devotee across the India visit and take active participation in festivity here in temple campus.
The nearby places the devotees can also visit are: Marundeeswarar Temple. Marina Beach, Breezy Beach, Shirdi Sai Baba temple, Santhome Beach, Napier Bridge, Mylapore, Swami Vivekananda’s House, Express Avenue, Government Museum,Chennai, MGR Film City, Marundeeswarar Temple etc.
How to reach Partha Sarathi Temple, Tiruvallikkeni or Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and gateway of India very well connected with all major cities of Idnia via road, rail and air network. Chennai has both domestic and international airports from where you can get flight to almost all Indian cities and also to all the countries of world as well at very high frequency. From the airport you can easily get the autos, cab, buses, etc. to reach city. Chennai Central, Egmore and Tambaram are the three railway stations of Chennai from where you can get train to all major cities of India easily. And by road, Chennai is well connected to all the major cities as well as states via highways. Chennai has one of the largest bus stations from where you can get interstate and intra state buses.
