Tamil Nadu · South
Parthasarathy Temple
Triplicane Parthasarathy Temple
Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane is among the oldest structures in Chennai, with a Pallava-period core dating to the eighth century, making it a rare urban survival from the same building phase as Mahabalipuram's monuments. Its central image depicts Krishna as Parthasarathy, Arjuna's charioteer at Kurukshetra, one of very few representations to show Krishna moustached and armed rather than as a youthful cowherd. Vijayanagara-era rulers rebuilt and expanded the temple after earlier disruption, adding the present gopuram over the ancient sanctum. As one of the 108 Divya Desams and a rare Chennai-based entry on that pilgrimage list, it offers visitors a compact, historically layered Vaishnava counterpart to Mylapore's Shaiva Kapaleeshwarar temple nearby.
Art & Architecture
- One of the very few temples depicting Krishna with a moustache, in his role as Arjuna's battlefield charioteer
- Pallava-period foundation inscriptions among the oldest datable structures in modern Chennai
- Sculpted panels depicting all ten avatars of Vishnu within a single shrine complex
- Vijayanagara-era gopuram rebuilt over the original Pallava core after later invasions
Best Season
Festivals
Vaikunta Ekadasi · Brahmotsavam
Journeys Featuring This Temple
Planning your visit
Nearby
Guesthouses and dharamshalas near the temple often take walk-ins. Confirm a single-occupancy rate when you call.
- Taj Club House, Chennai1.7 km
Rated 4.4 on Google Maps from 9,801 reviews, a short auto ride from Parthasarathy Temple. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
- The Savera2.3 km
Rated 4.2 on Google Maps from 17,726 reviews, a short auto ride from Parthasarathy Temple. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
- ibis Chennai City Centre2.4 km
Rated 4.4 on Google Maps from 17,984 reviews, a short auto ride from Parthasarathy Temple. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
- Raaj Park142 m
From Overture Maps — not verified by us (2026-08-02)
- Royal Rooms283 m
From Overture Maps — not verified by us (2026-08-02)
- Victoria Students Hostel314 m
From Overture Maps — not verified by us (2026-08-02)
Listings drawn from third-party maps are not verified by us and may be out of date. Please confirm directly before you travel.
Sources