Parthasarathy Temple

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Parathasarathy Thirukoil

Name:	Parathasarathy Thirukoil
Creator:	Pallavas
Date built:	8th Century AD
Primary deity:	Parthasarathy(Krishna)
Architecture:	South Indian, Kovil
Location:	Chennai

Parthasarathy Kovil is an 8th century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna located at Triplicane, Chennai, India. It is one of the major Vaishnavite temples in South India and one of the 108 divyadesams, the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu. Parthasarathy means the chariotter of Arjuna and is one of the thousands of holy names of Vishnu. The temple is one of the oldest structures in Chennai and is very close to the famous Marina beach, one of the largest beaches in the world (both in terms of width and length).

Among the 12 alwars (the great saints in Vaishnavite tradition) three of them namely Peyalwar, Thirumazhisai alwar and Thirumangaialwar have sung about the deities of this temple. Many acharyas have also written songs on the deities of this temple. The name of this town, Thiruvallikeni, is derived from Thiru-Allik-Keni meaning sacred lily (a type of tulip) flowers that grow in this temple's pond. The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows vaikanasa aagama. On most days, the devotees are treated to Chakra pongal (A type of sweety made with jaggery, pulses and rice), Puliyodarai and thayir sadam (Rice with yogurt/curd) prasadam (offering).

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was the charioteer for Arjuna during the Mahabharata war when he gave the Hindu holy book of Bhagavad Gita. Hence, the main deity, Sri Parthasarathy's face is full of scars created by the arrows of the Great Bhishma in the Kurukshetra war. Other unusual things about this deity are that He 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 (the procession deity, usually made of metal instead of stone) also has only a stick and not his mace as found with others. This is because the lord was born in a cowherd clan.

The main deity

Legend has it that the parents of the great SriVaishnava acharya, Sri Ramanuja came to this temple and prayed to the Lord for a son and eventually the great acharya was born. There are sannadhi's for Sri Ranganathar, Sri Ramar, Sri Varadharajar and the most beautiful Narashimhar as Azagiyasingar. The temple has grand brahmotsavams for Sri Parthasarathy swami during the Tamil month of chittirai(April-may) and Sri Azhagiyasingar during the Tamil month of aani (June-July).There are also grand utsavams for Sri Ramanuja(April-may) and Sri Manavalamamunigal(oct-nov) besides utsavams for alwars and acharyas.

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