Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Sri Parthasarathy Temple at Thiruvallikeni (Triplicane) in Chennai is one of the oldest and most revered Divya Desams in Thondai Nadu, originally built by the Pallava dynasty kings in the 8th century. "Parthasarathy" means "the Charioteer of Partha (Arjuna)" — the Lord in His Krishna avatar guiding Arjuna's chariot on the battlefield of Kurukshetra and delivering the immortal Bhagavad Gita. This is one of the rare temples housing five forms of Vishnu — Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varada, Ranganatha, and the main deity Parthasarathy (Krishna) — all in a single complex. Peyazhwar, the third Mudhal Azhwar, was born at Mylapore near this temple, and his devotional connection to this area sanctifies the entire Thiruvallikeni region. Thirumangai Azhwar and Bhoothathazhwar also praised this shrine. The temple's Pallava-era origins, Chola-period expansions, and Vijayanagara renovations make it an architectural chronicle of South Indian history. The annual Brahmotsavam with the grand chariot procession on the Triplicane streets is a legendary Chennai tradition.