Parthasarathy Temple - Triplicane

Where else can we find such a magnificent Lord Krishna, sporting a thick mustache? The ancient temple in Triplicane (Tiruvallikkeni) of Chennai city enshrining Krishna's unusual form with his family is popularly known as Parthasarathy Temple. It is one of the two most famous temples of the city, the other being Kapaleeswarar Temple. 

Highlights

• Tirumangai Alwar, Tirumazhisai Alwar and Peyalwar have sung hymns about this site in their verses.
• It is one of the two most famous temples of Chennai city.
• It is one of the oldest temples of Chennai.
• It is considered as the 61st Divya Desam temple. It is located in Tondai region.
• The only temple where Lord Krishna is found along with his family members.
• Lord Krishna is found with a mustache in this temple.
• Sri Tyagaraja Swamigal and Sri Muthuswami Deekshithar have composed songs on this deity.
• It is widely believed that 'Kannan Songs' written by Bharathiar were on this temple's deity.
• Interestingly, the moolavar (presiding deity/stone idol) is not Parthasarathy and the temple is named after the utsav idol.
• The Goddess Vedavalli of this temple is not the consort of the principal deity Venkatakrishnan or Parthasarathy.
• God - Venkatakrishnan ; Utsava deity - Parthasarathy
• Goddess - Vedavalli
• Teerth (holy water) - Allikkeni or Kairavini
• Sthala Vruksha (holy tree) - Makila tree (Ape flower tree)
• Vimana - Ananda Nilaya Vimana

Legend

Vedavalli's birth

The site's name is derived from Allikkeni, which means lily pond found in front of the temple. As per the legend, Bhrigu Rishi performed penance to beget Lakshmi as his daughter. He found her as an infant in a lily flower in this pond amidst a dense Tulsi forest. He named her Vedavalli. When she attained adulthood, Lord Ranganatha married her.

Darsan to Rishis

According to Brahmanda Purana, Sapta Rishis have worshiped the five deities found in this temple. Narasimha gave darshan to Atri Rishi, and hence there is a shrine for Narasimha in this temple. Similarly, Rama, along with his brothers and consort, gave darshan to Maharishi Maduman in this site, and accordingly, Rama's shrine is also found in this temple. Besides, Saptaroma Rishi got darshan of Vishnu in the form of Gajendra Varadar in this site.

Origin of Murti

According to the same Brahmanda Purana, King Sumati prayed to Tirupati Balaji to give darshan in the form of Parthasarathy to him. Sarathy means 'charioteer'; as Krishna took the charioteer's role for Partha (Arjuna), he is also called Parthasarathy. To fulfill the wish of the king, Balaji gave darshan to him as Parthasarathy in Brindaranya Kshetra (the current Triplicane). 

Vyasa advised Atreya Rishi to visit this place to perform penance. Vyasa also gave a murti (icon) to Rishi. The Rishi came to this site and with the permission of King Sumati, he installed the idol, which holds a conch in his right arm. This is the origin of the presiding deity of the temple. 

Ramanuja

It is believed that the parents of the Vaishnavaite saint Ramanuja prayed to Lord Parthasarathy for a son, and the great saint was born to them.

History

The temple is believed to have been built during the Pallava period (probably during the period of Dantivarman in the 8th century CE). The Cholas and Vijayanagaras made the extensions. 

Temple Layout

Entrance

The entrance has an east-facing Raja gopura. There is another gopura facing the west side. There is a very big mandapa in front of the tower with many sculptures on the pillars.

Presiding Deity

The east-facing sanctum enshrines the gigantic 9 feet tall idol of Venkatakrishnan. The stone idol (moolavar) is called Venkatakrishnan, and only the utsav murti is named Parthasarathy. However, as the temple is called Parthasarathy temple, people started calling the stone idol also as Parthasarathy.

The commanding look of the principal deity cannot be found in any other temple. Lord Krishna, known for his charming smile and handsome look, is seen here in a magnificent form. He has a mustache on his face. He has two arms and holds a conch on his right arm. These are all some of the unique features of this icon.

Krishna's consort Rukmini is found on his right side. Also, Satyaki, Balrama, Pradyumna and Aniruddha are all found in the sanctum. Balrama was the elder brother of Krishna. Pradyumna was his son and Aniruddha was his grandson. Satyaki was a relative of Krishna. Thus, Krishna is found along with his family members in this temple, which is another unique feature. 

The flagstaff, bali peetha and Garud shrine are found facing towards the main sanctum.

Parthasarathy

The temple is named after the utsav murti, Parthasarathy. His face has scars that were caused by Bhisma's arrows during the Mahabharat war. As seen above, he played the role of the charioteer to Krishna during the battle.

Vedavalli

The Goddess of the temple is Vedavalli. Her idol is gorgeous. She is found in a separate east facing shrine in the prakara.

Ranganatha

As stated earlier, the Goddess of the temple, Vedavalli, is not the principal deity's consort. She married Ranganatha, who is found in a separate east facing shrine in the maha mandapa area of the main shrine. He is found in the reclining posture on Sesha. Brahma is found on his navel. Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, his two consorts are also seen. Narasimha is found near his head and Varaha is found near his feet. 

Azhagiya Singar

Yoga Narasimha is found in a separate west-facing shrine behind the sanctum. This shrine is very popular. There is a separate entrance with gopura and a flagstaff in front of this shrine. The utsav murti is called Thelliya Singa Perumal or Azhagiya Singar. The shrine is also named after the utsav murti.

Rama

There is a south-facing shrine located within the main shrine's maha mandapa, which is dedicated to Lord Rama. Usually, Rama is found with Sita and his younger brother Lakshmana. However, in this shrine, the other brothers too accompany Rama. Hanuman is facing Rama, in a small sub-shrine.

Gajendra Varadar

There is a separate shrine for Gajendra Varadar seated on Garuda. It is situated in the prakara.

Andal

Andal is found in a separate shrine in the prakara.

Other Shrines

The temple also enshrines few other idols or sub-shrines such as Tirukachi Nambi, Vedanta Desika, Ramanuja, Chakrathalwar, Manavala Mamuni, Alwars, Madhav, Keshav, Anant, Garud, Alavandar, Vishwaksena and Tirumazhisai Alwar. 

Happy travelling.

Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.