About Parthasarathy Temple
The Arulmigu Parthasarathy Swamy Temple stands in Triplicane (Thiruvallikeni), one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Chennai, a short walk from Marina Beach. Lord Krishna is worshipped here as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, praised in the hymns of the Alvar saints, and is among the oldest surviving structures in the city. The name Thiruvallikeni is said to come from a lily pond that once stood here.
The temple's origins go back to the Pallava period; inscriptions of the 8th-century Pallava king Dantivarman have been found here, and later Chola and Vijayanagara rulers added to it. A special feature is that the temple enshrines five forms of Vishnu: Krishna as Parthasarathy, Rama, Narasimha, Ranganatha and Gajendra Varadar. Tradition holds that the image of Parthasarathy bears marks on the face left by Bhishma's arrows during the Kurukshetra war, when Krishna, true to his vow, carried no weapon. Unusually, the deity here is shown with a moustache. The poet Subramania Bharati lived nearby and often visited the temple.
The temple has two main entrances, each with its own gopuram and flagstaff, one for Parthasarathy facing east and one for Yoga Narasimha facing west. Inside are pillared halls with carvings and separate shrines for Vedavalli Thayar, Andal, the Alvars and Ramanuja. Parthasarathy stands with Rukmini, Balarama, Satyaki, Pradyumna and Aniruddha around him. The large temple tank, Kairavini, lies in front of the east entrance. The temple follows the Vaikhanasa agama and the Tenkalai Sri Vaishnava tradition.
Parthasarathy Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from about 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Viswaroopa darshan | Around 6:00 AM (approx.) |
| Uchikala puja | Around noon (approx.) |
| Evening puja | Around sunset (approx.) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Parthasarathy Temple
By air
Chennai International Airport is about 15 km away.
By train
Thiruvallikeni MRTS station is about 1 km away; Chennai Central is about 5 km away.
By road
Triplicane is in central Chennai, near Marina Beach. City buses, autos and taxis reach the temple easily, though the surrounding streets are narrow and parking is limited.
Festivals at Parthasarathy Temple
- Vaikunta EkadasiDec/Jan
- Chithirai BrahmotsavamApr/May
- Theppotsavam (float festival)Feb/Mar
- Krishna JayantiAug/Sep
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Modest traditional clothing is recommended.
- Entry
- Free general darshan; paid special darshan is available at some times.
- Vaikunta Ekadasi draws huge crowds; arrive very early or visit on another day.
- Leave footwear at the stands near the entrance.
- Parking is difficult in the narrow streets; use an auto or the MRTS train.
- Visit both the Parthasarathy and Narasimha shrines, which have separate entrances.
- Combine with an evening walk on Marina Beach nearby.
Places to visit near Parthasarathy Temple
- Marina BeachChennai's long city beach, about 1 km away
- Bharathiyar IllamHouse of the poet Subramania Bharati, about 0.5 km away
- Kapaleeshwarar TempleHistoric Shiva temple of Mylapore, about 3 km away
- Ashtalakshmi Temple, Besant NagarSeaside temple to the eight forms of Lakshmi, about 8 km away
Frequently asked questions
Is Parthasarathy Temple a Divya Desam?
Yes, the Triplicane Parthasarathy Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vishnu.
Why does the Parthasarathy deity have a moustache?
The deity is depicted as Krishna the charioteer in the Kurukshetra war, with a moustache and with marks on the face believed to be from Bhishma's arrows.
What are the Parthasarathy Temple timings?
The temple usually opens from about 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Check locally for festival changes.
How to reach Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane?
The temple is about 1 km from Thiruvallikeni MRTS station and about 5 km from Chennai Central; autos and buses reach it easily.
What is the aarti time at Parthasarathy Temple?
Viswaroopa darshan: Around 6:00 AM (approx.); Uchikala puja: Around noon (approx.); Evening puja: Around sunset (approx.). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Parthasarathy Temple?
Modest traditional clothing is recommended.
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