Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Chennai

About Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Parthasarathy Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna located in Chennai, India. In this, Lord Krishna is in the form of 'Parthasarathi' i.e. Arjuna's charioteer in the war of Mahabharata. Parthasarathy Temple is also known as Arulmigu Parthasarathiswamy. The temple was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, later by the Cholas and further expanded by the Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century.

The temple appears to have been renovated during 1564 AD when new temples were built. It is the oldest temple in the city as the village in which it is located dates back to the reign of the Pallava king.

Architecture of Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Dravidian architecture or South Indian temple style is an architectural idiom in Hindu temple architecture that emerged in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent or South India and in Sri Lanka, reaching its final form by the sixteenth century. A standard feature of temple architecture and the mandapas (pillars) are decorated with elaborate carvings.

Interesting facts about Sri Parthasarathy Temple

1. All the five deities in the temple are venerated by Tirumangai Azhwar. There is also a separate shrine for Andal, one of the 12 Alvars, who is also believed to be the wife of the presiding deity.
2. It is one of the very few temples in the country dedicated to Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer, Parthasarathy, and houses statues of three incarnations of Vishnu: Narasimha, Rama and Krishna.
3. 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 Vaishnava tradition and follows the Vaikanasa Agam.
4. There are festivals throughout the year at Parthasarathy Temple. Urchavams or festivities, as they are called, are for a particular deity at a particular time in the year. During some of these festivals it is a religious practice to take the various deities of the temple through the Mada gallery of Triplican.
5. The water tank located inside the temple is considered sacred and sacred as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi was born as Vedavalli to sage Bhrigu.

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