One of the oldest structures in Chennai and the city's principal Divya Desam, dedicated to Krishna as Parthasarathy — Arjuna's charioteer during the Mahabharata war — in the histo…
One of the oldest structures in Chennai and the city's principal Divya Desam, dedicated to Krishna as Parthasarathy — Arjuna's charioteer during the Mahabharata war — in the historic Triplicane neighbourhood.
The temple is regarded as one of the oldest surviving structures in Chennai, with origins traced to the Pallava period, substantially expanded under the Vijayanagara Empire — making it a rare direct link to the city's pre-colonial history amid Chennai's later, largely colonial-era urban development.
A Dravidian-style temple whose weathered, centuries-old stonework stands out amid the surrounding modern city, with successive dynasties leaving their own additions and renovations visible across the complex.
The Parthasarathy title directly names Krishna's role as charioteer and guide to Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war, the setting for the Bhagavad Gita — this temple's name situates it firmly within that specific and philosophically central episode of the Mahabharata.
Darshan | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Temple opening | 6:00 AM | — | Open | General days |
Morning darshan | 6:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Open | Main morning darshan session |
Midday Break | 12:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Closed | Temple remains closed for rituals |
Evening darshan | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Open | Evening worship and darshan |
Temple closing | — | 9:00 PM | Closed | Daily closing time (parthasarathy.hrce.tn.gov.in) |
Aarti | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Thirumanjana Kudam | 5:45 AM | Free | Preparation for the morning worship |
Vishwaroopa Darshan | 6:00 AM | Free | Opening worship of Lord Parthasarathy |
Kalasanthi Pooja | 8:00 AM | Free | Morning pooja and alankaram |
Uchikala Pooja | 11:00 AM | Free | Midday worship and offerings |
Sayaraksha Pooja | 6:00 PM | Free | Evening Deeparadhana |
Arthajama Pooja | 9:00 PM | Free | Final ritual before temple closes (parthasarathy.hrce.tn.gov.in) |
Darshan | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
General Darshan | Free | 15–45 min | Walk-in |
Special Darshan | ₹50–₹100 | 5–15 min | Temple Counter |
Archana Ticket | ₹5–₹50 | Immediate | Temple Counter |
Thirumanjanam Seva | ₹7,500 | Advance Booking | Temple Office (parthasarathy.hrce.tn.gov.in) |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Archana | Throughout the day | ₹50–₹200 | Personal prayer offered in the devotee's name |
Thirumanjanam | Selected Days | ₹7,500 | Sacred ceremonial bath of Lord Parthasarathy |
Sahasranama Archana | Morning | ₹500 | Chanting of the thousand names of Lord Vishnu |
Pushpangi Seva | By Booking | ₹3,000 | Floral decoration of the deity |
Tulasi Archana | Morning & Evening | ₹100–₹300 | Special worship with sacred Tulasi leaves (parthasarathy.hrce.tn.gov.in) |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Brahmotsavam | April–May | The temple's grandest annual festival with Garuda Sevai, Ther (Temple Chariot), Vahana processions, and thousands of devotees. (Incredible India) |
Vaikunta Ekadasi | December–January | Opening of the Paramapada Vasal with continuous Divya Prabandham recitations and massive pilgrim gatherings. (Incredible India) |
Panguni Uthiram | March–April | Celebrates the divine union of Lord Parthasarathy and Vedavalli Thayar with special processions. (Incredible India) |
Sri Krishna Jayanthi (Janmashtami) | August–September | Special alankarams, devotional music, and celebrations for Lord Krishna. |
Rama Navami | March–April | Special worship dedicated to Lord Rama, who is also enshrined in the temple. |
Adhyayana Utsavam | December–January | Grand recitation of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham and Vaishnava rituals. |
Pavithrotsavam | August–September | Annual purification festival with homams, Vedic chanting, and special ceremonies. |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Puliyodarai | ₹30–₹60 | Traditional tamarind rice prasadam |
Sarkarai Pongal | ₹30–₹80 | Sweet rice offering |
Curd Rice | ₹30–₹60 | Blessed curd rice prasadam |
Laddu | ₹30–₹80 | Temple-prepared sweet prasadam |
Tulasi Theertham | Free | Sacred holy water with Tulasi |
Located centrally in Chennai (Triplicane); Chennai International Airport is approximately 20 km away, well served by the city's public transport.
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📍 Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005
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