Parthasarathy Swamy Temple

The Parthasarathy Swamy Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, is said to have been renovated by a King of Pallava dynasty. "Brindaranya" is the traditional Puranic name of Thiru-Alli-Keni now known as Thiruvallikeni or modern Triplicane. It is said that for at least five thousand years, it has been a resting place for pilgrims who had come down from Thirupathy to have a bath in the sea on the days of Solar and Lunar Eclipses and on other auspicious days it being in a direct line to Thirupathy, Thiruthani and Trivellore and the route being free from swamps.

    According to Brahmanda Puranam, the five Deities in the temple are said to have been worshipped by the Saptah Rishis viz. Bhrigu, Manchi, Atri, Markandeya, Sumathi, Saptharoma and Jabali and also have been praised by two of the earliest Alwars viz. Thirumazhisai Alwar, Peyalwar and later on by Thirumangai mannan or Kaliyan, who is considered to be the last of the Alwars chronologically and his year of birth would appear to be 476 A.D. according to the era of Salivahana Saka.

    The presiding Deity of this temple Sri Venkatakrishna Swami also known as "GEETHACHARYA". According to Brahmanda purana, King Sumathy prayed Lord Thiruvengada of the Seven Hills to give him darshan in the form of the Charioteer (SARATHY) to PARTHA during the MAHABHARATHA WAR and rendering GEETHA. Lord Thiruvengada appeared in his dream and bade him to go to "BRINDARANYA" where he would give him Darshan in the form he wished. Meanwhile, Athreya Maharishi requested his Acharya Vedavyasa to mention to him the place fit for doing Thapas and he was directed by his Acharya to go to Brindaranya on the banks of the Kairavani Theertham overgrown with Thulasi plants and where king Sumathy was doing Thapas. Saying so, Vedavyasa gave Athreya a Divya-Mangala Vigraha with a conch in his right hand and Gnana Mudra in the left hand pointing to HIS HOLY FEET signifying the famous Charama Sloka of the Bhagavat Geetha:-

    "Sarva Dharman Parithyajya Mamekam Saranam Vraja Ahamthwa Sarwa Papebhyo Mokshayishyami Ma Suchaha" (18-66):

    This quintessence of the Geetha is rendered into English by Sir Edwin Amold thus:-

"And let go those Rites and writ duties! Fly to Me alone!

Make Me thy single refuge! I will free Thy soul from all its sins! Be of good cheer!"

    Accordingly, Athreya Maharishi reached the Ashramam of Sumathy and narrated to him in detail, the circumstances that led him to go there. Sumathy was pleased with the Divya Mangala image of Sri Parthasarathy Swamy in accordance with the desire and welcomed Athreya. He celebrated the Chaitrotsavam according to Vaikanasa Agama and worshipped him. The central figure enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum is being worsipped as "SRI VENKATAKRISHNA SWAMY". Sri Rukmani Thayar and Satyaki, his younger brother, are installed on his right and left side respectively. His elder brother Balarama is seen on the right side of Rukmani Thayar facing north and his son Prathyumnan and his grandson Anirudhan are seen on the northern side of the Garbagraha facing south. These five warriors (Pancha Veeral) are so placed in these positions as we now worship them to keep in conformity with some incidents that took place in their life-time. Still more grandeur and inspiring is the bewitching and ever smiling UTHSAVAR Deity – Sri Parthasarathy Swami, with marks in the face caused by Bheeshma's arrows during the Maha Bharatha War. The Thilagam set with diamonds with a Safire in the centre resembles the full moon in the crystal clear blue sky. 

SRI RANGAM IN TRIPLICANE:

The oldest of the shrines in the temple is that of Sri Mannadha Swamy (SRI RANGANADHAR). It is said that Sri Mahalakshmi in the guise of a young child came away from Her abode- the chest of Maha Vishnu in the Ksheerabdhi Sayanam – due to some misunderstanding (Pranaya Kalagam) with the Lord, to Brindaranya where she was brought up by Bhrigu Maharshi who got her married to Sri Ranganatha, who had come in the guise of beautiful prince to Brindharanya, on Suddha Makha Dwadasi (twelfth bright fortnight) in the month of February-March, which is considered to be very sacred by all, as it is said that Sri Vedavalli has addressed Sri Mannadha to bless all Bhaktas who worship them on that day of Marriage attain all prosperity and salvation or Moksha in the end. There is a separate shrine within the main shrine for Sri Ranganatha who is reclining on Adi Sesha and facing East with his consorts and Brahma in the naval. There are two other images in that shrine one is Sri Narasimha and the other is Sri Varaha facing each other north and south.

SRI VEDAVALLI THAYAR:

A separate shrine is built for Sri Vedavalli Thayar facing East on the right side of the Parthasarathy shrine. Festivals are done to Sri Thayar on every Friday and the procession is carried out within the precincts of the temple Thirumanjanam or holy bath is done on every Friday. Navarathiri festival ending with Mahanavami is celebrated in the month of Purattasi (September-October). Pallava uthsavam is celebrated for five days in the month of Panguni and Sthala Puranam is read on all days of the festival and the festival ends with Thirukkalyanam with Vedavalli Thayar on the Panguni Uthiram day.

AHOBILAM IN TRIPLICANE:(LORD NARASIMHA)

There is a separate shrine for Sri Thellia-Singa-Perumal (Sri Narasimha Swamy) in this temple facing west, behind Sri Parthasarathy swamy shrine. It is said that the Lord Narasimha Swamy appeared to Athri Maharishi being pleased with his tapas and at his request took his Abode in Brindaranya. The Annual Brahmotsavam for Sri Narasimha Swamy is celebrated in the month of Ani (June-July). Procession on every Swathy Thirunakshatram day being the day when he appeared to Athri Rishi, is conducted in the four small mada veethees. Davana Uthsavam is celebrated for 3 days in the month of Masi commencing from Swathy Thirunakshathram. Float festival is celebrated in the month of Masi. Sri Narasimha Jayanthi, the birth day of Shri Narasimha, is celebrated on the Suddha Cathurdasi day in the month of Vaikasi. Yoga Narasimhaswamy is the name of Moolavar and the Uthsavar is worshipped as Azhagiasinger or Thelliasingaperumal. He has a separate flag mast (dwajasthambam). The Uthsavar, Azhagia Singar, has a serene face and appears with Ahwana Hastham (beckoning the devotees) and Abhaya Hastham (Showering his grace in abundance).

Those who suffer in life pray to this lord and get his blessings. Their woes melt like the mist during sun rise. He cures ailments and people with mental disorders pray before him for restoring their mental health.

AYODHI IN TRIPLICANE:

Sri Chakravarthi Thirumagan (SRI RAMA) with his brothers Bharatha, Satrughna, Lakshmana and his consort Maithilli (SEETHA) gave Darshan to Maharishi Maduman who did penance here to have Darshan of Sri Rama with his Consort and brothers. A separate shrine is built is within the precincts of the main shrine of Sri Parthasarathy Swamy facing South. Opposite to this shrine Sri Hanumar with Utsavar is installed in a separate small shrine. Hanumath Jayanthi with procession is done on the day of Suddhya Thrayodasi in the month of Margazhi. Sri Rama Navami festival is celebrated and on the third day morning, Garuda Vahana procession is conducted.

KANCHI IN TRIPLICANE:

LORD GAJENDRA VARADAR SWAMY is said to have been worshipped by Saptharoma Maharishi in accordance with the Vaikhanasa Agamam. The Moolavar is worshipped as Sri Gajendra Varadaraja swamy as he has given MOKSHA TO GAJENDRA after saving him from the jaws of a crocodile. The Lord in heaven heard the appealing tone of his Bhakta Gajendra who was dragged into the waters by the crocodile and he rushed to the spot seating on Garuda, the king of birds, holding discuss in one hand and conch in another to save his Bhakta and threw the discus at the crocodile and saved him from death. The Moolavar is seen seated on Garuda with discus and conch on both right and left hands respectively and is being worshipped as such. On Hastha Thirunakshatram days, monthly procession is carried out and annual festival for ten days is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi.

SRI VILLIPUTHUR IN TRIPLICANE:

A separate shrine is built for SRI ANDAL-the incarnation of Bhu Devi and the festivals are being celebrated monthly and annually. In the month of Adi (June-July) Thiru Adi Puram festival for ten days is celebrated ending with the procession of Andal with Sri Parthasarathy Swamy on Pura Thirunakshatram day (Thiru Adipooram), the birth star of Sri Andal. Neeratta Utsavam for nine days is also done in the month of Margazhi (December-January) ending with Bhogi Thirukalyanam with Sri Parthasarathy swamy. The temple and the area TIRUVALLIKKENI derives the name from this tank, where it is said that GODDESS MAHALAKSHMI herself was born as VEDAVALLI to SAGE BHRIGU. It is said that lily flowers bloomed in this tank.

This tank, it is said consist of five scared wells, and its waters are holier the Ganges.

Float festival is held in this tank for seven days on the New Moon day in the month of masi .(Three days for Lord Parthasarathy and one each of Sri Narasimhar , Sri Ranganathar , Sri Ramar and Sri Gajendra Varathar. The mahamandapam , and the thiruvaimozhi Prabanda Mandapam , Show clear architecture of Pre Pallava period and the perceptible differences seen in the structures in the main shrine and the mandapam in front, go to determine that the mandapams are later annexures to the original shrine by ruling race, as is generally the from the figures on the pillars of the main shrine and the Dwajarohana mandapam of Sri Parthasarathy swamy as the later and remoter than the former.The Mandapam in Front of Sri Parthasarathy swamy called Thiruvoimozhi Prabandha Mandapam contains peculiar figures of pre pallava period.

The figures in the Kalyana Mandapam,four pillared mandapam in front of the temple and the Hanumar temple on the eastern side tank of Vijayanagara Art. Except Sri parthasarathy swamy shrine, other shrines have been renovated in the beginning of the century and shrine of Sri Vedavalli Thayar and the 36 pillared mandapam in front of the temple werebuild in the later part of the last century. 1. 234 of 1903,(Tamil) belonging to Danti Varman(779-830) On a stone built into the floor at the entrance into the Garbhagraha of the Parthasarathy swamy temple, a record in the twelfth year of the Pallava King danti Varma Maharaja. Records that the a certain Pugalthunai Visaiyaraiyan redeemed the field and arranged for the usual quantity of rice offerings every day.(This inscription coroboratres the testimony of Thirumangai Alwar's pasuram attributing the foundation of the temple to the Thonda King(i.e) Pallava).

2. 235 of 1903 (Tamil) On the north of the central shrine in same temple, a record of the Vijayanagara King Vira Venkatapathi Maharaja (Venkata I-1586-1614) is S. 1527 Vikari, refers to the king as seated on a jewelled throne at the city of Perumkondai.

3. 236 of 1903(Tamil) On the south base of the same shrine, a record of the Vijayanagara King Vira Venkatapathi Deva Maharaja I (1586-1616) in S. 1525 Shobakrit, refers to king as seated on a jeweled throne in the city of Perungondai and to the consecration of an Thirumazhisai Alwar and a gift of Twenty Varahas to this shrine.

4. 237 of 1903 (Telugu) On the same base as above, a record of the Vijjayanagara King Rangaraya Deva Maharaj I(1578-86)In S. 1507 Tharana, records the gift of the villages of Sembiam and Nidambaram (Nadumbarai) besides a garden by Thirumala Nayaningaru, the General of Ramaraja Venkatapathi Raju(Venkata I).

5.238 of 1903 (Tamil) On the north base of the same shrine, a multilated record in the forty ninth year of the Pandya King Maravarman alias Tribuvana Chakravarthi Kulasekhara Deva.

6.239 of 1903 (tamil) On the same base as above, a record of the Vijianagara king Mahamandaleswara Virapratapa Sadasivadeva maharaja in S.1486 Raktakshi. records that a private individual built certain portions of the temple, namely shrines of Pallikonda Perumal, Krishna, Vedavalli Nachiar, Thiruvoymozhi mandapam, the kitchen and the Prakara wall and set up a number of images and granted three villages.

7. 240 of 1903 (Tamil) On the east north basis of the mandapam in front of the same shrine, a record of the Vijianagara King Virapratapa Vira Venkatapathi Deva Maharaja, (1586-1616) in S. 1527 - Krodana.

8.241 of 1903 (Tamil) On a stone built the floor of the same mantapam, a fragmentary record of the Chola King Thribuvana Viradeva (Kulotung III) which is last mentions Tiruvanmiyur in Kottumadu.

9.242 of 1903 (Tamil) On another stone built into the same place, a fragmentary record in the twenty third year of the chola King rajaraja Deva. Four other similar fragments are built into this mantapa and a number of other portions of the temple.