History of Triplicane Parthasarathi Temple

ARULMIGU PARTHASARATHYSWAMY TEMPLE - DEITIES LORD PARTHASARATHY 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. more ››

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.

ARULMIGU PARTHASARATHYSWAMY TEMPLE - POOJA SCHEDULE "Aaru Kaala Pooja" (Six Time Prayers of the Day). (Subject to changes during uthsavams & unprecedented events).

TIMINGS

POOJA

5.50 A.M.

THIRUMANJANA KUDAM

5.55 A.M.

SUBRABHADHAM.

6.00 A.M.

VISHWAROOBAM

6.15 A.M.

THIRUVARADHANAM

8.00 A.M.

KALASANTHI THEERTHAM

11.00 A.M.

UCHIKKALA POOJAI.

12.30 P.M.

THIRUKKAPPU (CLOSING)

4.00 P.M.

THIRUKKAPPU OPENING.

6.00 P.M.

NITHYA ANUSANTHANAM.

7.30 P.M.

THIRUVARADANAM (NIGHT POOJAI)

9.00 P.M.

ARTHAJAMAM (Except Saturdays and special days.)

ARULMIGU PARTHASARATHYSWAMY TEMPLE - FESTIVALS Month

Festival Details

Chithirai:

SRI PARTHASARATHY BRAHMOTSAVAM, & VIDAIYATRI FESTIVAL.SRI UDAYAVAR FESTIVAL (Concluding and Leave - Taking Ceremony).

Vaigasi:

SRI GAJENDRA VARADAR UTHSAVAM (10 DAYS) VASANTHA UTHSAVAM - Spring Festival for Sri Gajendra Varadarajar, Sri Ranganathar, Sri Vedavalli Thayar. NARASIMHA JAYANTHI.

Aani:

SRI NARASIMHA SWAMY BRAHMOTSAVAM and KODAI UTHSAVAM (Summer festival)

Aadi:

THIRU AADI POORAM FESTIVAL - Birthday of SHRI AANDAL on Her Zodiac cal Star.SRI GAJENDRA MOTSHAM. SRI PARTHASARATHY SWAMY JESHTABISHEGAM.

Jyeshta means Chief-in-Brethren; Abhishegam-means pouring on-in of selected Holy Liquid and Item on the Lord. Thiru Pavaadai Utsav - Anointing of Epicurean Offerings on His Holy Physique. THIRUPPAVADAI UTHSAVAM:- Anointing of Epicurean Offerings on His Holy Physique. SRI NARASIMHAR'S JESHTABISHEGAM Aavani:

THIRU PAVITHRA UTHSAVAM ( Sanctification Ceremony).SRI JAYANTHI UTHSAVAM.

Purattasi:

LAKSHARCHANAI FOR VEDAVALLI THAYAR during NAVARATHIRI (Festival of Nine Nights). MYLAI PEYAZHVAR VISIT TO TRIPLICANE.

Iyyppasi:

SRI MANAVALA MAMUNIGAL UTHSAVAM. DEEPAVALI (Festival of Lights) ANNA KOODA UTHSAVAM (Offering of Variety Rice).

Karthigai:

THIRUKARTHIGAI DEEPAM UTHSAVAM ( Various and Varied Lights). THAILA KAAPPU - Means Anointing of Several Medicinal Oils on His / Her Corporal. SRI ANJANEYAR EKADINA LAKSHARCHANAI.

Margazhii:

PAGAL PATHU UTHSAVAM (Ten days) SRI VAIKUNTA EKADASI (Entering into Heaven). RAAPPATHU UTHSAVAM (Ten days) ANDAL NEERATTU UTHSAVAM,

Thai:

SRI PARTHASARATHY SWAMY YEGADINA LAKSHARCHANAI RATHA SAPTHAMI (Ratha means Car; Sapthami means Seventh Lunar Occasion).

Masi:

THEPPA UTHSAVAM (FLOAT FESTIVAL) DHAVANA UTHSAVAM.. MAASI MAGAM (Parthasarathy swamy Theerthavari festival at sea shore)

Panguni:

EKKADUTHANGAL UTHSAVAM SRI RAMA NAVAMI UTHSAVAM PALLAVA UTHSAVAM. PANGUNI UTHIRAM (Uthram Star Day in Panguni). SRI NARASIMHAR EKADINA LAKSHARCHANAI.