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Location: Chennai
(Triplicane)
(Tondai Naadu)
Vishnu: Venkatakrishnaswamy, Parthasarathy,
Ranganathar (Vishnu),
Taayaar: Vedavalli,
Theertham:Allikkeni
Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar, Peyalwar, Tirumazhisaialwar
Vimaanam:Ananda Vimanam
Travel Base:Chennai
Description This Divya Desam
is located in Tiruvallikkeni ( Triplicane) in Chennai
; the temple and its tank stand as a standing illustration of the co-existence
of the present and the past in the modern meteropolis of Chennai,
as in Tirumayilai. The rapid transport system (railway
line) running along the coast of Chennai, bears the name Tiruvallikkeni,
on the railway station closest to this ancient temple. The alli flowers
in the temple tank lend the name Allikkeni. Tiruvallikkeni is one of the
well visited Divya Desams, and is a well known landmark in the Chennai
meteropolis. The other important (ancient) temples in and around Chennai
are the Tiruvanmyur and the Tiruvotriyur
Shivastalams.
Deities:
There are five shrines here. The primary sanctum enshrines Venkatakrishnan
with Rukmini, Balaraman, Satyaki, Anirudha, Pradyumna - in a standing
posture facing east. The Utsavar here is Parthasarathy. Scars from arrows
sent from Bheeshma's bow, borne by Krishna, are seen on the image of Krishna.
There is a shrine to Ranganathar in a reclining posture; his consort is
Vedavalli, in a separate sanctum. There is a shrine to Rama in a standing
posture, flanked by Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrugna and Hanuman facing
east. There is also a shrine to Varadarajan in a seated posture on the
Garuda mount facing east. There is also a shrine to Narasimhar in a seated
posture facing west. Apart from these, there is a separate shrine for
Andal. This is the only shrine among the 108 Divya Desams, where Krishna
is seen enshrined with images of his family.
The temple:
Inscriptions from the 8th century Pallavas (Tondaiman Chakravarti) are
seen in this temple. The Vijayanagar rulers have made endowments here.
The temple covers an area of about 1.5 acrees. The gold image of Tirumaal
Nachiyaar, adorning the chest of Venkatakrishnar is a rare work of art.
It is believed that Venkateswara of Tirupati manifested
himself as Parthasarathy here, and hence the name Venkatakrishnan. This
shrine is considered equivalent to Tirupati, and Saturdays in the month
of Purattasi are considered sacred here.
Festivals:
As in Tirupati, Tirumanjanam is performed on Fridays to Venkatakrishnan.
Moolam asterism in the month of Aippasi is considered sacred. The annual
Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai. The glass palanquin
here is of great beauty. Vaikuntha Ekadasi celebrated in Margazhi draws
a large number of pilgrims. Vaikuntha ekadasi is celebrated for 20 days,
while the Bhramotsavam is celebrated for 10 days. The float festival is
held in the month of Maasi.
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