ARULMIGU PARTHASARATHYSWAMY TEMPLE - TRIPLICANE

This Hindu Vaishnavite temple Parthasarathy is primarily dedicated to Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is counted among the 108 divyadesams or sacred abodes of Lord Vishnu. The name of the temple 'Parthasarathy' is a Sanskrit word referring to the 'charioteer of Arjuna'. It was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century.

History :

The temple was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, subsequently expanded by Cholas and later by the Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century.The temple has several inscriptions dating from the 8th century in Tamil and Telugu presumably from the period of Dantivarman, who was a Vishnu devotee. Thirumangai Alvar, the 9th century alvar also attributes the building of temple to the Pallava king From the internal references of the temple, it appears that the temple was restored during 1564 CE when new shrines were built. In later years, endowments of villages and gardens have enriched the temple. The temple also has inscriptions about the Pallava king, Nandivarman of the 8th Century.

Legend :

Krishna was the charioteer for the Pandava prince Arjuna during the Kurukshetra War war in the epic Mahabaratha. Kunti (also called Pritha), Arjuna's mother was the aunt of Krishna and the sister of Krishna's father, Vasudeva. Krishna addressed Arjuna as Partha, the son of Pritha. Krishna was thus referred as Partha Sarthy, meaning the charioteer of Arjuna. The Bhagavat Gita is a conversation between Krishna and Arjuna taking place in the middle of the battlefield before the start of the war with armies on both sides ready to battle. Responding to Arjuna's confusion and moral dilemma about fighting his own cousins who command a tyranny imposed on a disputed empire, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and prince, and elaborates on yoga, Samkhya,reincarnation, moksha, karma yoga and jnana yoga among other topics.

Krishna was neutral during the war, giving his army to Kauravas and offered himself for the Pandavas. Parthasarathy in the temple is thus depicted with a moustache and having only the conch, without his weapon Chakra. This is attributed to the promise he made to the Kauravas not to take weapons during the war. Following the traditions of a charioteer, he sported the moustache and the same is depicted in the temple. The scars in the face of Parthasarathy's festival idol (presumably made of aimpon, an alloy of five metals) in the temple is full of scars depicted to show the injuries caused by the arrows of Bhishma in the war. The utsavar (festival deity) also has only a stick depicting Krishna was born in a cowherd clan.

Venkateswara, another form of Vishnu, appeared as Parthasarathy to fulfil his promise to King Sumathi that he would give darshan to the king in this form. Sage Athreya had installed the idol of Parthasarathy. Legend has it that the parents of the Sri Vaishnava saint,Ramanuja came to the temple and prayed to the Lord for a son and eventually the saint was born. It is also believed that the Ramanuja is none other than Parthasarathy himself who was born to revive Vishishtadvaita.

Vedavalli Thayar is said to be born to Sage Bhrigu as a result of his penance in the banks of Kairaveni in a lily pond (Alli keni). The legend says, that so many kings attempted to marry Thayar, but she chose Ranganatha in the midst of many kings and called the lordvaarum en manare, means "Welcome, my lord of this universe". The celestial wedding took place between Vedavalli Thayar and Sri Mannanathar on 12th Day (Dwadashi) during the month of Thai - Masi. The wedding is celebrated every year. Vaikasi Festival is exclusively held of the presiding deity Gajendra Varadhar. It is said that Rama appeared here on the request by Sage Madhuman in Thirvallikeni.

Temple :

The temple has two gopurams (tower) each in eastern and western directions.The temple tank called "Thiruallikeni" is derived from the place where Vishnu's consort Lakshmi herself was born as Vedavalli to Sage Bhrigu. The tank contains five wells and lies opposite to the eastern entrance of the temple.

The temple has two main shrines built back-to-back. The Mulavar (main deity), Parthasarathy alias Venkata Krishnan, faces East. Along with his consort Rukmani Piratiyar, he holds sword in one hand  Varadha Muthirai on the other hand.

Other deities :

• Ranganatha is in Bujanga Sayanam, reclining posture facing east.
• Gajendra Varadar
• Lord Rama here known as Chakravarthi Thirumagan.Along with Sita devi.
• Brothers of Lord Rama : Lakshmana, Bharatha, Shathrugna are also found here
• Lord Hanuman

Vimanas :

• Anantha Nilaya vimanam for parthasarathy swamy sannadhi
• Ranganathar sannadhi vimanam
• Ramar Sannadhi vimanam
• Thayar sannadhi vimanam
• Narasimhar sannadhi vimanam 
• Andal sannadhi Vimanam.

Timings and Pooja Schedule :

TIME	POOJA
05.30 am	Thiru manjana Kudam(Bring of Bathing Holy Water).
05.55 am	Suprabhatham-Chanting of Morning Hymns on Lord.
06.00 am.	Viswa Roopa-Full Visual Appearance of the Lord.
06.15 am.	Thiru Aaradhanam (Tributing of Offerings).
08.00 am	Kaala Sandhi Theertham.
11.00 am	Utchikaal Poola-Start of Mid-day's Prayer.
12.00 noon	Thiru Kaapu Seerthal(Concluding Day Time Prayers).
04.00 pm	Beginning of Evening Time Prayers-ThiruKappu Neekudhal.
06.00 pm	Nitya Anu Santhanam(Daily-Routine rituals)
07.30 pm	Thiru Aaradhanam(Offerings).
09.00 pm	Artha Jaamam(Start of Mid-night Prayer)except on Saturdays and Festive Days.

Festivals :

Month	Festival Details
Chithirai:	Shri Bhrahma's Utsav - Lord Shri Bhrahma himself will perform this most important Festival. Seer Shri Udaiyar's Utsav and Vidaiyaatri.(Concluding and Leave - Taking Ceremony).
Vaigasi:	Vasantha Utsav - Spring Fesytival Shri Gajendra Vrdaraja Swamy Utsav. Shri ranganatha - Shri Vedavalli Thaayaar Utsav.
Aani:	Shri Nrusimha Swami Bhrahmo Utsav and Kodai Utsav (Summer Festival).
Aadi:	Aadi Shri Gajendra Mosham ( Salvage for Gajendra - King of Elephants.) Shri Parthasarathy Jyeshtabhishekam. Jyeshta-means Chief-in-Brethren; Abhishekam- means pouring on-in of selected Holy Liquid and Item on the Lord. Thiru Pavaadai Utsav - Anointing of Epicurean Offerings on His Holy Physique. Thiru Aadi pooram - Birthday of Shrimadh Aandal on Her Zodiacical Star. Shri Nrusimha's Jyeshtabhishekam.
Aavani:	Thiru Pavithra Utsav ( Sanctification Ceremony). Shri Vedavalli Thaayaar Laksharchana.
Purattasi:	Navarathri(Festival of Nine Nights). Shri Vedavalli Thaayaar Laksharchana.
Iyyppasi:	Shri Manavaala Maamunigal Utsav. Deepavali(Festival of Lights) Anna Kooda Utsav ( Offering of Variety Rice).
Karthigai:	Thirukharthigai Deepam Festival ( Various and Varied Lights). Thaila Kaapu - Means Anointing of Several Medicinal Oils on His / Her Corporal.
Margazhii:	Maargazhi Pagal Paththu(Days-Ten) Shri Vaikunta ekaadasi(Entering into Heaven). Raa Paththu(Night-Ten).
Thai:	Laksharchana of Shri Parthasarathyswamy - Swami Means Self-Creator) Ratha Sapthami(Ratha means Car; Sapthami means Seventh Lunar Occasion). Visiting Festival to Ekkattuthaangal.
Masi:	Maasi Magam (Magam Star Day of Maasi Tamil Month). Theppa Utsav(Float Festival in the Temple Tank). Dhavana Utsav(Spring Festival).
Panguni:	Panguni Uthram - (Uthram Star Day in Panguni). Shri Raama Navami Utsav - (Birth Day of Lord Shri Raama). (Shri Raama is the Seventh, incarnation of Lord Shri Shri Maha Vishnu as the Human Prince and Son of King Dasaratha of Ayodhya Empire.)