Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple is a Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Chennai, India. Located in the neighbourhood of Tiruvallikeni, also known as Triplicane, the temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Vishnu glorified by the Alvar saints in their hymns. The temple is also known for its unique icon of Krishna as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata war. The temple is one of the oldest structures in Chennai and has a rich history and culture. Visit during Chennai One day tour by cab
Location of Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple
Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple is located on Car Street in Tiruvallikeni, Chennai. It is about 3 km from Chennai Central railway station and 20 km from Chennai International airport. It is easily accessible by public transport such as buses, trains, metro, and auto-rickshaws.
Timing / Entry Fees Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple
Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple is open from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm on all days of the week. There is no entry fee for visiting this temple. However, devotees can offer donations and offerings to the temple as per their wish.
How to Reach Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple
Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple can be reached by road from any part of the city. You can take a bus, taxi, or auto-rickshaw to reach the spot. You can also take a train to Tiruvallikeni railway station or a metro to Government Estate metro station, which are both close to the temple.
Things to Do / Must See Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple
Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple offers various things to do and see for tourists and devotees of all ages and interests. You can enjoy a darshan of the main deity and other forms of Vishnu, participate in the daily rituals and festivals, admire the architecture and sculptures, visit the nearby attractions such as Marina Beach, Fort St George, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, etc.
- Darshan: The main deity of the temple is Sri Parthasarathy Perumal, who is depicted as Krishna holding a conch and a discus in his hands. He is seen with a moustache and scars on his face, indicating his role as a charioteer in the Mahabharata war. He is accompanied by his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama on his sides. The temple also has icons of five other forms of Vishnu: Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha, and Venkatakrishna. The temple also has shrines for Vedavalli Thayar (Lakshmi), Andal (a female Alvar saint), Hanuman, Alvars (the 12 Vaishnavite saints), Ramanuja (the founder of Sri Vaishnavism), Manavala Mamunigal (a prominent Sri Vaishnava teacher), and Vedanta Desika (a renowned poet-philosopher).
- Rituals: The temple follows the Pancharatra Agama tradition and performs six daily rituals (poojas) for the main deity and other deities. The rituals are Ushathkalam at 6:30 am, Kalasanthi at 8:30 am, Uchikalam at 11:30 am, Sayarakshai at 6:00 pm, Irandamkalam at 7:30 pm, and Ardha Jamam at 9:00 pm. The temple also conducts special rituals on auspicious days such as Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Pradosham, Amavasya, Pournami, etc.
- Festivals: The temple celebrates various festivals throughout the year with grandeur and devotion. Some of the major festivals are Panguni Uthiram (the marriage festival of Parthasarathy and Vedavalli Thayar in March-April), Vaikunta Ekadashi (the day when the gates of heaven are opened for devotees in December-January), Ratha Sapthami (the day when Parthasarathy rides on seven different chariots around the temple in January-February), Brahmotsavam (the ten-day annual festival of Parthasarathy in May-June), Gokulashtami (the birthday of Krishna in August-September), Navaratri (the nine-day festival of Goddess Durga in September-October), etc.
- Architecture: The temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture and has a five-tiered gopuram (tower) at the entrance. The temple has a spacious courtyard with pillared halls and shrines. The temple has many sculptures and paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana. The temple also has a tank called Thiruallikeni, which means the sacred lily pond. The tank is believed to have been created by the sage Bhrigu and is considered sacred by the devotees.
- Nearby Attractions: The temple is located in a prime area of Chennai and has many nearby attractions for tourists to explore. Some of them are Marina Beach (one of the longest urban beaches in the world), Fort St George (a historic fort built by the British East India Company in 1644), Kapaleeshwarar Temple (one of the oldest temples in Chennai dedicated to Lord Shiva), Santhome Basilica (a Roman Catholic church built over the tomb of St Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus), etc.
Significance of Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple
Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple is a place of religious and cultural significance. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Vishnu, and is revered by the Alvar saints in their hymns. It is also one of the oldest temples in Chennai and has a rich history and heritage. It is associated with the Mahabharata epic and showcases Krishna as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna. It is also a place of educational significance as it provides an opportunity to learn about the Sri Vaishnava tradition and philosophy through its icons and teachers.
FAQ’s
Q: What is the best time to visit Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple?
A: The best time to visit Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and cool.
Q: What are the facilities available at Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple?
A: There are basic facilities available at Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple such as parking, toilets, drinking water, cafeteria, souvenir shop, etc. There are also facilities for the differently abled such as ramps, wheelchairs, audio guides, etc.
Q: What are some tips for visiting Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple?
A: Some tips for visiting Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple are:
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes as you will have to walk a lot to explore the temple.
Carry water, snacks and a camera to capture the views.
Be respectful while viewing the icons and do not touch or damage them.
Do not litter or smoke at the temple premises.
Respect the local culture and environment.
Conclusion
Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple is a Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Chennai, India. Located in the neighbourhood of Tiruvallikeni, also known as Triplicane, the temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Vishnu glorified by the Alvar saints in their hymns. The temple is also known for its unique icon of Krishna as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata war.
The temple is one of the oldest structures in Chennai and has a rich history and culture. It offers various things to do and see for tourists and devotees such as darshan, rituals, festivals, architecture, nearby attractions, etc. It is one of the most popular attractions of Chennai and a must-visit destination for religious and cultural lovers.
