Sri Venkatakrishna Swami sannadhi, Thiruvallikeni, Chennai.

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The Parthasarathy Temple is an 8th century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, located at Triplicane, Chennai.

"Brindaranya" is the traditional Puranic name of Thiru-Alli-Keni now known as Thiruvallikeni or modern Triplicane.

It is one among the 108 divyadesams or Holy abodes of Lord Vishnu.

Lord Krishna is worshiped in the name ‘Parthasarathy’ in this temple, which means in Sanskrit, ‘Charioteer of Arjuna’.

The presiding Deity of this temple Sri Venkatakrishna Swami also known as "GEETHACHARYA".

According to Brahmanda purana, King Sumathy prayed Lord Venkateswara 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 Venkateswara appeared in his dream and bade him to go to
"BRINDARANYA" where he would give him Darshan in the form he wished.

Meanwhile, One Rishi by name, 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.

King 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 worshiped him.

The central figure enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum is being worsiped 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.

One interesting thing is that, God Krishna is seen with a moustache and without His weapon Sudarsan Chakra.

The reason attributed is that He promised not to take weapons in the Mahabharatha war and hence He has only His conch.

As He was the charioteer He sported the moustache keeping with the tradition.

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