Sri Parthasarathy Temple

About Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Parthasarathy in the sanctum sanctorum is in a standing posture facing east, holding in his right hand the divine conch called the Panchajanyam. His lefthand is in Dana Mudra indicating his divine feet. One of the features of the temple is the gold image of Tirumaal Nachiyaar. The shrine of Venkatakrishnan is considered equivalent to that at Tirupati. The deity is seen with his consort Rukmini on his right and his brother Sri Balram on his left. The various deities of the temple are Sree Parthasarathy Perumal, Venkatakrishnan with Sree Rukmini Thayar and with Aniruddhar, Balram, Prathyumnar and Satyaki, Sree Mannathan, Ranganathan with Sree Vedavalli Thayar, Sree Thelliyasinghar or Narasimha, lord Ram, Chakaravarthi Tirumagan with Sree Seethadevi Thayar, Lakshman, Shatrughna, Bharat and Hanuman, Sree Deva Perumal and Varadarajan or Vishnu on Garuda.

Interesting places to Visit

Marina Beach
The city’s Marina Beach, bordered by gardens, lies just to the South of the War Memorial. It is claimed to be the second largest in the world, about 13 kms.

Covelong
For a balmy holiday, the fishing village of Covelong has an excellent stretch of beach. This lies 55 km enroute to Mamallapuram which is 60 km from Madras and is a breathtaking seaside haven ideal for a relaxing holiday.

Elliots Beach (Marina beach):

The Marina Beach is a beach situated along shoreline in the city of Chennai, India.It is the longest beach in India and the second longest in the world

Valluvar Kottam
The ValluvarKottam, dedicated to the memory of the Tamil Saint Philosopher and poet Thiruvalluvar, is the largest auditorium in Asia. It is located at the junction of Kodampakkam High Road and Valluvar Kottam Road.

National Art Gallery and Museum
Built in 1906, the Chennai National Art Gallery was originally intended to be a memorial to queen Victoria. An impressive certal dome flanked a series of smaller domes supported by pillars on each side. After independence, it became an art Gallery in 1951. It has bronze exhibits dating from 10th to 13th centuries and paintings of Rajasthani and Mughals of the 17th century. Established in 1857, the museum can justify its claim to being one of India’s best. There are large sectiors devoted to Archacology, Anthropology, Geology, Numismatics, Zoology and Botany along with comprehensive collections of arms and armour.

Parathasarathy Temple
Located at Triplicane High Road is the large Sri Prthasarathy Temple. This Hindu Temple, devoted to Lord Krishna, was built in the 8th Century by Pallava King and has been ornately renovated since.

Nearest Visiting places

Madurai
It is one of the oldest towns in South India. This is the abode of goddess Meenakshi, the consort of Lord Sundereswarar (Shiva). Legend has it, that when a Pandya king founded the town of Madurai some thousands of years ago, Lord Shiva was present. And the nectar falling off his hair gave the town its name of Madurai or city of nectar.

Tiruchirapalli
Precariously perched atop a massive outcrop of rock that rises abruptly out of the flat surrounding plain is the famous Rock Fort at Tiruchirapalli. Set in the middle of the town on the bank of the river Cauvery, is visible for miles around and it. A citadel of the Chola kings in the Sangam period (2 BC to 2 AD) the Rock Fort has had a long and chequered history.

Thanjavur
Just 58 km away lies Thanjavur, once the capital of the Chola empire which is referred to as the “Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu”. Nearly a thousand years ago around the 11th century, Thanjavur was the capital of a powerful dynasty, the imperial Cholas whose empire extended beyond South India and Sri Lanka to the kingdoms of South-East Asia. The Chola kings used their wealth to encourage thearts and built innumerable temples and shrines to ornament their land.

Tirunelveli : Thirunelveli, the southernmost district of Tamil Nadu is described as a microcosm of the state. The district has diverse geographical and physical features such as high and lofty mountains and low plains, rivers, cascades, seacoast, thick inland forest, sandy soils and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna, and protected wild life.

Mahabalipuram:Mahabalipuram also known as Mamallapuram is a town in Kancheepuram district in Tamil Nadu.Located at a distance of 58-km from Chennai, Mahabalipuram has everything that makes a site memorable; tradition, history, piety, western annals, and current importance as a centre of tourism. The history of Mahabalipuram dates back to two thousand years, it contains nearly forty monuments of different types including an “open air bas relief” which is the largest in the world, for centuries it has been a centre of pilgrimage, it figures in the early annals of the British search for the picturesque in India in the 18th century, today it attracts shoals of foreigners in search of relaxation and sea bathing, and most strange of all, it has an atomic power plant for neighbour.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

The temple town offers a range of options from budget lodges and guesthouses to mid-range hotels, many within walking distance of the temple. During festivals, book well in advance.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station
Kamarajar Salai, Triplicane, Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Triplicane Police Station
, Triplicane, Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Ice House Police Station
Besant Road, Triplicane, Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Nearest Hospital:

Government Kasturb Gandhi Hospital
Chepauk, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil nadu 600005- 044 28545001

Sakthi Hsptal & Rsarh Centre
175, Big St, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005? - 044 28442626

Zohra Madani Hospital
17, Triplicane High Road, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil nadu 600005? - 044 28544410

Triplicane Health Post
18, T P Koil, 2nd Lane, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil nadu 600005? - 044 28442466

Location info

• Address: Triplicane, Chennai, Tamilnadu

• District: Chennai

• Nearest City: Chennai

• Best time to visit: The best time to visit Chennai is from November to March since the weather at this time is pleasant and cool.

History of Sri Parthasarathy Temple

The Sri Parthasarathy Temple in Chennai has its origin back in 8th century. It was generally built by the Pallavas and later reformed by the Vijayanagar Kings during 11th century. The literal meaning of ‘Parthasarathy’ is the charioteer. According to the great Indian epic ‘Mahabharata’ ‘Partha’ meant Arjuna while sarathy is meant as charioteer. In the epic it is said during the great battle of Mahabharata Lord Krishna was the charioteer of Arjuna. In the epic Arjuna or partha was a brave warrior and Lord Krishna was a good friend, philosopher and guide to the Partha or Arjuna.

How to reach Sri Parthasarathy Temple

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Chennai

• **Nearest Airport:**Chennai Airport

• **Road Transport:**Tirupporur is accessible by road from Chennai and Chengalpattu. Private taxis and buses ply from Chennai and Chengalpattu to Tirupporur.

Nearest petrol pump

• Petrol Pump :Triplicane,Chennai ,India

Best time to visit Sri Parthasarathy Temple

November to February when the weather is pleasant and cool. Early morning (6–8 AM) is ideal for a peaceful darshan. Temple festivals (Brahmotsavam, Panguni Uthiram) are spectacular but crowded. Avoid midday heat (12–4 PM).

Timings & opening hours

Typically 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily. Some temples open continuously from early morning until night. Pooja timings vary by season — check locally.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry is usually free. Special darshan tickets may cost INR 50–200. Camera fees: INR 20–50 for still photography, INR 100–150 for video. Some major temples have separate ticket counters for special abhishekam.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for a typical visit. Allow 2–3 hours for larger temple complexes with multiple shrines and mandapams. Festival days require more time.

Safety tips

Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas during festivals. Keep valuables secure. Wear comfortable footwear that can be removed easily — temple floors can be hot in summer. Stay hydrated. Follow security instructions at major temple complexes.

Things to carry

Remove footwear before entering the sanctum. Carry a cloth bag for shoes. Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered). Small change for offerings and prasadam. Drinking water — temple premises can be warm.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

By Air: Chennai International Airport (MAA) is the primary international gateway. Regional airports include Coimbatore International Airport (CJB), Madurai International Airport (IXM), and Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ), depending on location.

By Train: Tamil Nadu has an extensive railway network. Major junctions include Chennai Central (MAS), Coimbatore Junction (CBE), Madurai Junction (MDU), Tiruchirappalli Junction (TPJ), and Salem Junction (SA). From the nearest station, local transport is readily available.

By Road: Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) operates an extensive bus network connecting all parts of the state. National highways NH 44, NH 48, and NH 32 provide excellent connectivity. Private buses and taxis are also available from nearby towns and cities.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Tamil Nadu. 4G is reliable in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and along major highways. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain rural interior areas. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes in urban areas.

Food & restaurants nearby

Tamil Nadu’s temple cities (Madurai, Thanjavur, Rameswaram) have excellent vegetarian restaurants, temple prasad counters, and traditional Tamil meals served on banana leaves. Major cities offer multi-cuisine dining.

Things to do at Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Visit the temple during different pooja times to experience the spiritual atmosphere. Explore the temple architecture — the gopurams, vimana, and pillared halls. Observe the daily rituals and ceremonies. Participate in the temple festivals if visiting during auspicious dates.

Things to visit & highlights

The main sanctum sanctorum is the spiritual heart of the temple. The towering gopurams (gateway towers) are adorned with colourful sculptures depicting deities and mythological scenes. The temple’s mandapams (pillared halls) and the sacred temple tank are key highlights.

Climate & weather

Tamil Nadu has a tropical climate with generally hot and humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a more comfortable 20°C–28°C. March–June is very hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+. The state receives rainfall from both the southwest monsoon (June–September, mainly in western ghats) and the northeast monsoon (October–December, bringing rain to coastal areas including Chennai). Hill stations (Ooty, Kodaikanal) are pleasant year-round.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Sri Parthasarathy Temple? Early morning (6–8 AM) is the best time for a peaceful darshan. Temple festivals and special occasions draw large crowds.

Is photography allowed inside Sri Parthasarathy Temple? Photography rules vary — still cameras are usually allowed in the outer precincts. Flash photography is typically prohibited inside the sanctum. Video cameras may require special permission.

What is the dress code for visiting Sri Parthasarathy Temple? Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required. Traditional Indian attire (saree, salwar kameez, dhoti, pyjama) is preferred.

Accessibility

Religious sites may have steps at the entrance and may not have ramps. The interiors are generally level once inside. Some historic sites have uneven stone floors. Visitors with mobility concerns should check in advance.

Rules & restrictions

Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (scarves or shawls are often available at the entrance). Photography is generally permitted without flash, but video may be restricted. Maintain silence inside. Mobile phones should be on silent mode. Remove shoes if required (indicated by signage). Do not touch artefacts or altars. These are active places of worship — respect services, festivals, and devotees.

Best photography spots

Tamil Nadu has several historic churches including San Thome Basilica in Chennai (built over the tomb of St. Thomas) and the Velankanni Basilica (Our Lady of Good Health). The colonial-era churches in hill stations and Fort St. George are smaller but photogenic. Shoot early morning for the best light.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Tamilnadu
• Category: Temples

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.