Parthasarathy Temple

Introduction

Parthasarathy temple is where Lord Venkatakrishna Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu/Krishna is worshipped. Parthasarathy is made of Partha and Sarathy meaning Sarathy or Charioteer to Partha, the other name of Arjuna. Thus Lord Krishna, who was the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata war, is the presiding deity worshipped as Parthasarathy in the temple.

Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy

Location

The temple is located in a suburb known as Thiruvallikkeni or Triplicane, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The place gets its name from the lily pond near the temple. It is believed that Vedavalli, the consort of Lord Ranganatha who is also one of the five deities worshipped in the temple was born to Sage Bhrigu who meditated at Thiruvallikkeni. Thiruvallikkeni in Tamil means a sacred lily pond, denoting the pond in front of the temple. The place is also known as Panja Veerathalam.

In the ancient times, the village was known as Brindavaranya, as Tulsi plants had covered the lily pond all around. The temple can be easily accessed by local transport. Several government run buses provide frequent services to the temple.

Other places of tourist interest are:

1. Government Museum
2. The Guindy National Park
3. Kapaleeshwar Temple & Vadapalani Temple
4. Valluvar Kottam- Art gallery

About the temple

Parthasarathy temple is an ancient temple built by the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman in the 8^th Century. The Chola Kings and Vijayanagar rulers expanded the temple extensively during the 12^th and 15^th Century respectively. The temple is a significant place of worship for Vaishnavites, as the temple is classified as Divya Desam, dedicated to Lord Vishnu among the 108 temples of Lord Vishnu.

Temple Architecture:

The temple walls, ceiling, pillars all depict the rich Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagar architecture. There are several inscriptions in Tamil and Telegu dating back to the 8th Century. Some of the inscriptions are about the Pallava and Chola rulers who contributed to the building and maintenance of the temple in a big way.

The temple was renovated in 1564 CE during which the new shrines were added in the temple complex. The outer most mantap has the different avataras of Lord Vishnu sculpted tastefully. There are several flag posts and pillars which are intricately carved. Sri Vedavalli shrine, the 36 pillared mantap in front of the temple was later added by the Vijayanagar rulers.

One of the temple entrances

Shrines within the temple:

In the temple, the five different avataras (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. There are separate shrines for Lord Ranganatha, Lord Narasimha, Lord Ramanuja, Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. Other shrines in the temple are for Andal, Vedavalli, the consort of Lord Ranganatha and Lord Hanuman. This is one of the few temples in the country where Lord Krishna is worshipped as Parthasarathy, charioteer of Arjuna.

The temple has two gopurams (towers) in the eastern and the western directions. The main gopuram was built by the Pallava ruler, Tondaiman Chakravarthy. There are five vimanas, (tower) namely Anatha Nilaya Vimanam over Parthasarathy shrine, Ranganatha Sannathy vimanam, Rama sannathy vimanam, Narasimha sannidhi vimanam and Andal Sannithi vimanam.

The temple consists of two main shrines. The shrine of Lord Parthasarathy, one of the main temples is facing east. The temple of goddess Vedavalli is located parallel to Lord Parthasarathy’s shrine. The temple has a separate shrine for Lord Narasimha with a separate flag post (Dwajasthamba). The deity, Lord Narasimha is in a sitting position and is facing west. There is a passage leading to the main shrine, where separate shrines for Lord Rama, Lord Ranganatha and Lord Gajendra Vardar are located. There is also a small shrine for Lord Hanuman opposite to Lord Rama’s temple.

Lord Ranganatha

The oldest shrine is that of Lord Ranganatha or Mannada Swamy. Once, goddess Mahalakshmi who was angry with Sri Mahavishnu came to Brindavaranya disguised, as a young girl. The goddess was born to Brighu Maharishi, who named the girl as Vedavalli. When Vedavalli came of marriageable age, Lord Ranganatha disguised Himself as a young prince and came to Brindavaranya. He married Vedavalli on Maga Shukla Dwadasi (12th day in the month of February- March).  It is believed that devotees who worship the Lord on Maga Shukla Dwadasi will be blessed with prosperity and Moksha.

There is a separate shrine within the main shrine for Lord Ranganatha. The Lord is facing the eastern direction. Lord Ranganatha is seen reclining on Adi Sesha with His consorts and Lord Brahma in the navel. There is also the image of Lord Narasimha and Varaha within the shrine facing north and south directions respectively.

Goddess Vedavalli

The shrine is located on the right of the Parthasarthy temple. Vedavalli is seen in a sitting position in the sanctum. Friday is an auspicious day when special pujas are held for the goddess. The deity is taken in a procession within the temple complex on every Friday. Mahanavami during Dasara is celebrated in a grand manner. Pallava Uthsavam is celebrated for five days, when Holy Scriptures is read and the festival culminates with Thirukalyanam (marriage ceremony) of goddess Vedavalli with Lord Ranganatha.

Lord Narasimha

The shrine is located behind the Parthasarathy shrine. It is believed that Lord Narasimha was pleased with the Tapas of Athri Maharishi and at the request of the Maharishi made Brindavaranya His abode. In the temple, the moola vigraha or the main deity is worshipped as Yoga Narasimha and the Utsava moorthy or the deity used during procession is worshipped as Thelliasingaperumal. Devotees pray for good health and prosperity. There is a separate flag post for Lord Narasimha. Vasanthosavam and Brahmothsavam for Lord Narasimha are celebrated in May- June. Narasimha Jayanti is celebrated in May.

Lord Rama

The shrine is dedicated to Lord Rama known as Sri Chakravarthi Thirumagan along with Sita Mata, Lakshmana, Shatrugnah and Bharatha. There is a separate temple for Lord Hanuman opposite to Lord Rama’s temple. It is said that Maduman Maharishi did tapas at Brindavaranya and desired to have darshan of Lord Rama. Rama navami is celebrated for nine days during April. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great fervour in these shrines.

Lord Gajendra Varadar Swamy

Saptharoma Maharishi is said to have worshipped Lord Gajendra Varadar Swamy here. The main deity is seen seated on a Garuda with discus and conch in both the hands.  Lord Gajendra Varadar Swamy is worshipped, as He had not only rescued the elephant, Gajendra from the jaws of a crocodile but had also given Moksha to Gajendra.

Goddess Andal

Andal is the incarnation of Bhudevi. In the month of Adi (June- July), Thiru Adi Puram is celebrated for ten days with the festival culminating in the procession of goddess Andal and Parthasarathy on the tenth day. Another festival is Neeratta Uthsavam celebrated in Marghazi (December- January) for nine days. The festivities come to an end with the celebration of Bhogi Thirukalyanam (marriage ceremony) of goddess Andal and Lord Parthasarthy.

The Deity

Lord Parthasarathy is the presiding deity in the temple worshipped as Venkatakrishna Swamy. The deity is also known as Geetacharya. The image of the Lord is 9 ft tall and is the only temple where the Lord is seen with a moustache of a charioteer. The Lord is seen holding a sword in one hand and Varadha Mudra in another hand. Lord Krishna is depicted with a conch in His hand and without His weapon Chakra, as He had promised to Duryodhana that He would not use any weapon during the Mahabharata war. The deity’s face is full of scars to depict the injuries caused by the arrows of Bhishma in the Mahabharata war.

The Lord is seen with His consort Rukmini on His right and, Krishna’s younger brother Satyaki on the left. Balarama, elder brother of Krishna is seen on the right of Rukmini, Pradyumna, Krishna’s son and Aniruddha, Krishna’s grandson are also found in the sanctum. This is the only temple where all the three generations of Lord Vishnu are found. Annual Brahmotsavam is held in Ani (June- July), Thepotsava, or float festival is held in Masi (March- April). A procession is carried out on the day of Swati Nakshatra, as it is believed that the Lord appeared to Athri Maharishi on Swati Nakshatram day. Davana Uthsavam is held for three days during the month of Masi(March- April). The Utsava moorthy of Parthasarathy is without a mace, but with only a stick, to depict that he was a cowherd in His younger days.

Annual festival is celebrated in Vaishaka (May) for ten days. A monthly procession is carried out on the day of Hasta Nakshatra. In the month of Chaitra (March- April) a Brahmotsavam for Lord Parthasarthy is celebrated.

Lord Parthasarathy

Puranic Reference

There is a mention of the temple in Brahmanda Purana. Sapta Rishis, viz., Bhrigu, Marichi, Atri, Markandeya, Sumathi, Saptharoma and Jabali have worshipped the five deities in the Parthasarathy temple.

Another reference is that parents of the saint Ramanujacharya prayed to Lord Parthasarathy for a son at this temple. It is believed that Ramanujacharya was born with the blessings of Lord Parthasarathy and the saint is considered as an incarnation of Lord Parthasarathy.

According to Brahmanda Purana, King Sumathy prayed to Lord Thiruvengada (Lord Balaji) to give him darshan as a charioteer of Partha (Arjuna) during the Mahabharata war rendering Bhagavad Gita. Lord Thiruvengada came in the dream of King Sumathy and asked him to go to Brindavaranya, Triplicane where he would get to see the Lord in the form he desired.

Sage Athreya requested Vedavyasa to mention to him a place fit for tapas. Vedavyasa directed Sage Athreya to go to Brindavaranya, on the banks of the Kairavani Theertam, where King Sumathy was doing tapas. Vedavyasa also gave a Divya Mangala Vigraha (image) with a conch in his right hand and Gnana Mudra in his left hand.

Sage Madhuman had requested Lord Rama to give him darshan at Triplicane. Thus there is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama in the temple shrine.

Festivals and Rituals

Triplicane is known for celebrations held throughout the year. There are festivals held specifically for each of the deities round the year.

Float festival is held for seven days on the New moon day in the month of Masi (February- March). Out of seven days, three days is for Lord Parthasarathy and one for Lord Narasimha, Lord Ranganatha, Lord Rama and Sri Gajendra Varadar each. The tank opposite to the eastern entrance of the temple, known as Thiruallikeni” is considered very sacred. The tank also has waters from five holy rivers.

During Karthika Masa (October- November), Deepa Alankara festival is celebrated, when lights of various sizes and shapes are lit throughout the month. On the day of Karthika Poornima, full moon day, lakhs of devotees throng to the temple and light lamps.

In the month of Masi (March- April) a festival for Lord Parthasarathy known as Theerthavari festival is held at sea shore. A ten day Laksharchana to Lord Parthasarathy is performed in January- February. In the month of July- August, the birthday of Andal is celebrated on the full moon day. Vaikunta Ekadashi, during December- January is one of the important festivals celebrated with great fervour. It is generally believed that people who go through the Vaikunta Dwaram on Vaikunta Ekadashi day will reach Vaikunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu after their death.

The wedding of Lord Ranganatha with Vedavalli is celebrated annually during Masi Shukla Dwadashi (12th day in the month of January- February)

Social activities of the temple

The temple runs a religious library where several religious books magazines, daily news paper facilities are provided to the people.

The temple is engaged in providing Annadanam (serving food) to its devotees daily.