It is a one temple of 108divya desem.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.
[3][11] The temple has several inscriptions dating from the 8th century in
Tamil and
Telugu[3] presumably from the period of
Dantivarman, who was a Vishnu devotee.
[12] Thirumangai Alvar, the 9th century
alvar also attributes the building of temple to the Pallava king.
[12] From the internal references of the temple, it appears that the temple was restored during 1564 CE when new shrines were built.
[13] In later years, endowments of villages and gardens have enriched the temple.
[13] The temple also has inscriptions about the Pallava king,
Nandivarman of the 8th Century.
[14]
The temple was extensively built during the Chola period and a lot of
inscriptions dating back to the same period are found here. The outer
most mandapam is replete with sculptures of various forms of Vishnu,
especially the avatars. One can also see inscriptions of Dantivarma
Pallava of 8th Century, Chola, Pandiya and Vijayanagara in the temple.
The first architectural expansion of the temple took place during the
reign of the Pallavas (Tondaiyar Kon) as vividly described by Tirumangai
Azhwar. Reminiscent of this is the inscription of the Pallava King
Dantivarman (796-847 A.D.), which is preserved in the temple. The temple
witnessed a major expansion during the rule of the Vijayanagar kings
like Sadasiva Raya, Sriranga Raya and Venkatapati Raya II (16th
Century). Many subshrines and pillared pavilions (mandapas) like the
Tiruvaimozhi Mandapa were added.
Tiruvallikeni may not be as serene as Tirumangai Azhwar described it,
but the aura remains because of the Parthasarathy Swamy temple.
A Pallava king built the present temple in the eighth century. The
gopuram was also built by a Pallava king - Tondaiman Chakravarthy. There
are inscriptions that record the contributions of the Chola kings Raja
Raja and Kulottunga III, Pandya King Maravarman and many rulers of the
Vijayanagar dynasty including Ramaraja Venkatapathiraja and Vira
Venkatapathy. For a while the East India company administered the
temple. The pushkarani is called Kairavani and five sacred teerthams are
believed to surround the tank - Indra, Soma, Agni, Meena and Vishnu.
Seven rishis - Bhrigu, Atri, Marichi, Markandeya, Sumati, Saptaroma and
Jabali - performed penance here. All five deities in the temple have
been extolled by Tirumangai Azhvar.
[15][16][17]
Tiruvallikeni is noted for its colourful festivals throughout the
year. The recitation of the 4000 hymns of the Azhwars is a great
tradition preserved in this temple for generations.
[18][19]
The Temple
Western entrance of the temple
The temple has two
gopurams (tower) each in eastern and western directions.
[10] The temple has five
vimanams
namely Anatha Nilaya Vimanam over Parthasarathy shrine, Ranganathar
Sannathy vimanam, Ramar sannathy vimanam, Narasimha sannidhi vimanam and
Andal Sannithi vimanam.
[10] 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.
[10]
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 (this is debatable since the official site
says he holds conch in his right hand, as he had promised not to take up
arms in mahabharat war), Varadha Muthirai on the other hand. Krishna's
brother
Balarama is positioned on his right,
Satyaki to his left; Krishna's son
Pradyumna and grandson
Aniruddha are also found in the sanctum.
[10]
This is one of the Vishnu temples where the Vishnu is present along
with his three generations. The shrine of the consort, Vedavalli
Thayaar, is located parallel to the sanctum. The shrine of Narasimha
(Thellia Singhar) faces west and just as the main sanctum, there is a
separate entrance and flag post (
Dwajasthambam) for Narasimha. The deity is seated in
Veetrirundha Yoga thirukola (Sitting Posture).
[10]
There is a shrine for
Ranganatha (Sri Mannanathar) and Ramar located in the passage to the main sanctum.
[13] Ranganatha is in
Bujanga Sayanam, reclining posture facing east.
[10] There is a shrine of
Gajendra Varadar[13] There is a shrine for
Rama (an
avatar of Vishnu), known here as Chakravarthi Thirumagan.
[13] He is seen here with his entire family, i.e., consort
Sita Piratti, brothers
Lakshmana,
Bharatha,
Shathrugna and devotee
Hanuman opposite to the shrine of Ramar.
[20]
It is one of the very few shrines in the country dedicated to Krishna
as Parthasarathy, charioteer of Arjuna and to contains idols of three
avatars of Vishnu: Narasimha, Rama, and Krishna.
[5] Because of the association of the temple with Krishna, Tiruvallikeni came to be regarded as the Southern Brindavana.
[14][21][22]
Legend
Eastern "Thorana" entrance on the Beach Road
Triplicane owes its name to its historic existence as
Tiruvallikeni (or
Thiruvallikeni) or
Tiru-Alli-Keni
(Sacred Lily Pond, in Tamil) denoting the pond in front of the temple,
amidst a big Tulasi forest. The place was also referred to as
Vrundha-raNyam (beautiful garden) in Puranic scriptures.
[23][24]
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.
[25] 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.
[26]
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.
[13][25] 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 lord
vaarum 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. A grand festival of
Rama Navami is celebrated here for 9 days in the Tamil month of
Panguni.
Literary mention
The temple is glorified in the
Divya Prabandha, the early medieval
Tamil literature canon of the
Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE and is classified as among the 108
Divya Desam temples, dedicated to Vishnu.
[3] Among the 12 Alvars, three of them namely
Peyalwar,
Thirumazhisai alwar and
Thirumangaialwar
have sung on the different forms of God in this temple. Many acharyas
have also written songs on the various deities in this temple.
Thirumangai Alvar
wrote of Tiruvallikeni as an area so densely wooded that the sun's rays
cannot penetrate the canopy formed by the tree tops. He also said
Tiruvallikeni was a home for beautiful birds like peacocks and Koels.
However, Triplicane is changed over time and these features of the city
are lost.
[15][27] He also mentioned about the Telliya Singar shrine within the temple.
[12]
Darshan, Sevas and Festivals
The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
[10] The temple follows the traditions of the
Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows
vaikanasa aagama. The temple has grand
brahmotsavams
(big festival) for Sri Parthasarathy swami during the Tamil month of
Chittirai (April–May),on the same month Udayavar uthsavam is also
celebrated.
[10] In the month of Vaigasi, Sri Varadarajar uthsavam, Sri Nammalwar uthsavam (vaigasi-visagam) and Vasanthothsavam are celebrated.
[10] Sri Azhagiyasingar (Lord Narashimha) during the Tamil month of Aani (June–July).
[10]
So uniquely two Bhrammotsavams are performed here annually. There are
also festivals for Sri Ramanuja (April–May) and Sri Manavalamamunigal
(Oct-Nov) besides festivals for
Alwar and Acharyas.
[10] Vaikunta Ekadesi and during the
Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) draws lot of pilgrims.
[10]
Utsavams
These take place round the year in Parthasarathy temple. Urchavams
(or utsavams), as these are termed, take place for a particular god at a
particular period of ti
[28]
me in the year. It's a religious practise to carry the different gods
of the temple through the mada veethis of triplicane during some of
these festivals. The Gods will move in different religiously built
temple vehicles (vaghanams, as these are termed in Tamil), like
Elephant, Garuda, horse,
Yaali (a mythical animal), temple rath (ther in Tamil, chariot or ratham, alternative terms), etc.
The following are the various festivals or urchavams or utsavams or utsav in Parthasarathy temple in different parts of the
Tamil Calendar year.
[19] During festival days the place is given a new look and accompanied by various traditional rites.
1. Chithirai (April–May): Shri Bhrahma Utsav (Brahmotsavam)- Lord
Shri Bhrahma himself will perform this most important festival.
[29][30] Seer Shri Udaiyar's Utsav and Vidaiyaatri (Concluding and Leave-Taking Ceremony).
2. Vaigasi (May–June): Vasanthoutsavam- Spring Festival Shri Gajendra
Varadaraja Swamy Utsav Shri Ranganatha-Shri Vedavall Thayaar Utsav
3. Aani (June–July): Shri Narasimha Swami BhrahmoUtsavam and Kodai Utsav (Summer Festival)
4. Aadi (July–August): Shri Gajendra Motsham (Salvage for
Gajendra-King of Elephants) Shri Parthasarathy .Jyeshtabishekam.
Jyeshta-means Chief-in-Brethren: Abhishekam means pouring of selected
Holy Liquid and Solid Items (like milk, honey, etc.) on the Lord Thiru
Paavadai Utsav Anointing of Epicurean Offerings on the Holy Physique.
Thiru Aadi Pooram - Birthday of Shrimadh Aandal on Iler Birth Zodiacical
Star Shri Parthasarathy .Jyeshtabishekam.
5. Aavani (August–September): Pavithroutsavam (Thiru Pavithra Utsav) -
Santification ceremony. Shri Jayanthi or Krishna Jayanthi (Birthday of
Lord Krishna)
6. Puratasi (September–October): Navarathiri -Festival of nine lights Shri Vedavalli Thaayar Laksharachana
7. Iypassi (October–November): Shri Manavaala Mamunigal Utsavam
Deepavali or Diwali - Festival of Lights Anna kooda utsavam- offering
variety of rice
8. Karthigai (November–December): Thir karthigai Deepam - Various and
Varied Lights Thaila Kaapu - anointing of several medicinal oils or
his/her corporal
9. Margazhii (December–January): Maargazhii Pagal Pathu (Days-Ten)
Shri Vaikunta Ekaadasi (Entering into Heaven) Raa Pathu (Night-Ten)
10. Thai (January–February): Laksharachana of Shri Parthasarathyswamy
Rathasapthami (Ratha-Car, Sapthami- Seventh Lunar Occasion) Visiting
Festival to Ekkatuthangal
11. Masi (February–March): Masi Magam (Magam-star day) Theppam or
Thepotsavam (Float Festival in Temple Tank) Dhavana Utsav (Spring
Festival)
12. Panguni (March–April): Panguni Uthram (uthram - a star day) Shri Rama Navami (Birthday of Lord Ram)
The most important among these festivals are the Vaikunda Ekadesi -
as huge crowds from not only chennai, but also various parts of Tamil
Nadu and India come to the temple on this day; Theppam or Thepotsavam -
the colourful float festival, and the utsavam for the main deity lord
Parthasarathy.
Theppam (Float) festival
Also known Teppothsavam (= Theppam + urchavam), this pictorial and
colourful festival takes place on 7 days in the Tamil month of masi, 3
days for Lord Parthasarathy, one each for Sri Narasimhar, Sri
Ranganathar, Sri Ramar and Sri Gajendra Varadhar. The seven-day event
attracts a large number of devotees and onlookers from different parts
of Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
A floating structure made up of drums, timber would be constructed
and would be beautifully decorated with lights, flowers, religious
paintings, silken buntings, etc. which serves as a visual delight. For
better ambience, lights were also installed in the garden around the
tank and additionally, focus lights were placed on the corners of the
neerazhimandapam (the mandapam (structure) in the center of the temple
tank). Perumal (God) would come to the temple tank in purappadu
(departure) and be placed majestically inside the float. On all the
days, the float completed five rounds around the neerazhimandapam. After
this, the deities were taken in a procession around the four Mada
Streets. Devotees in hundreds would converge and sit everywhere on the
steps of the temple tank to have darshan of the Lord on theppam. The
speciality of the third day function ‘Thirumanjanam' was performed to
the deity inside the float. Other than the bhattachariars (temple
priests), no one was allowed inside the float. A Rescue team of about 10
swimmers is usually provided by the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue
Services.
[19][31][32]
This theppam festival exhibits one of the aspects of the richest
cultural heritage aspects of triplicane, age old culture which one could
not see anywhere else in chennai, other than
mylapore or triplicane.
Incidents
The temple had internal conflict during from 1750s till the end of the century between the two subsects of Vaishnavism, namely
Thenkalai and
Vadagalai.
[33] The two sects were grounded over the right of reciting each of their own version of concluding verses in the temple.
[33] A petition was received by the ruling British government to decide the religious dispute.
[33] English records mention petition during the year 1754 filed by local inhabitants and merchants seeking to resolve the dispute.
[33]
They suggested that the Tenkalai Brahmins could recite their
Srisailesadayaptram in the Parthasarathi shrine, while the Vadakalai
Brahmins could recite their Ramanujadayapatram in the Telinga Singar
shrine.
[33] The council agreed that the suggestion in the petition be accepted and publicly announced.
[33]
There were further petitions in 1780 from the Tenkalai Brahmins that
since the temple was built, recitals were made only in
Srisailesadayaptram, which should continue.
[33] It also asserted that the trustee Manali Muthukrishna Mudali favoured Vadakalai resulting in the issue.
[33]
While both the sects were claiming theirs should be the practice
followed in the temple, the English administrators in India has deep
rooted belief that old ways were the only solution to preserve
tranquility.
[33] The Tenkalai sect had the sanction of antiquity and custom resulting in Tenkalai gaining precedence.
[33]
The bearers at the temple were traditionally fishermen of Triplicane.
[34] During the temple festivities, they carry the festival idol in their sturdy shoulders in an atmosphere of wine and toddy shops.
[34] They bargained for additional rights in the temple in 1928, which eventually ended their ties with the temple.
[34]
Bharathiar, the legendary Tamil poet and independence activitist was struck by an elephant at the temple, whom he used to feed regularly.
[35] Although he survived the incident, a few months later his health deteriorated and he died.
[35]
Gallery
-
Elaborate carvings on the temple gopuram
-
Parthasarathy Temple gopuram at sunset
-
Outside the temple can be seen a carving of Parthasarathy (Krishna as charioteer) discoursing to Arjuna]]
-
Festival deity of AzhagiyaSingar
When his head was stamped by Emperumaan's feet, he could not get the
dharshan of Thirivikraman. So, he prayed for his great Ulagalandha
dharshan. Since, he could not be given the Thirivikraman darshan, the
Parumal gave his seva as Aadhiseshan (Ooragathaan) which can be seen
next to Ulagalandha Perumal.
In this Sthalam, Ulagalandha Perumal, Thirivikraman gave his
Prathyaksham for Ooragam, who is the Aadhiseshan. Both Aadiseshan and
Thirivikraman are the other ways the Emperumaan giving seva in this
sthalam.
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Thiruvikraman. Other names are Sri Ulagalantha Perumal. Prathyaksham for Aadisheshan.
Saara SriKara Vimanam.
Once in the Chozha empire, Nallooran, who was one of the member in that
empire, was against Vaishnavam and because of this, ordered to pluck
off Sri Ramanujar's eyes. But, Koorathalwar for his Guru, asked that his
eyes can be taken off and not his Guru's eyes. Then he sung a great
devotional poem named "Sri Varadharaja Sthavam" on Sri Kanchi
Varadharajar in his sannadhi. At that time, Sri Varadharajar gave his
seva and asked him what he wants.
But, Koorathalwan said that he doesnt need Oonakkan (Ordinary human
eyes) instead, he need the Gnanakkan (Eyes which has a broader vision of
good thought) so that he can be able to spread Vaishnavam. This is one
of the said story when talking about the sthalapuranam.
