The Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Temple, a 6th-century Vaishnavite shrine in Thiruvallikeni, Chennai, is dedicated to Vishnu in his role as Parthasarathy, or charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. Built by the Pallavas, it is one of the 108 Divya Desams glorified in the Tamil literary canon of the Alvars. The temple features five forms of Vishnu, including Krishna, Rama, and Yoga Narasimha, and stands as one of Chennai's oldest structures.
Rich in legend, the temple is associated with Krishna's role in the Mahabharata, where he was injured by Bhishma's arrow while serving as Arjuna's charioteer. Unique to the temple, the image of Krishna is depicted with a moustache. The temple's location, once a lily pond, is called Allikeni. The presiding deity, worshipped by sages and Chola kings, has been a spiritual focal point for centuries.
The temple's construction began under Pallava King Narasimhavarman I, with expansions by Chola and Vijayanagara rulers. Inscriptions from the 8th century and contributions from later dynasties, such as the Cholas and Vijayanagara kings, reflect its historical significance. Pallava kings like Dantivarman and later Vijayanagara rulers, including Sadasiva Raya, added mandapas and shrines. The temple's rich heritage includes sculptures, mandapas, and sacred inscriptions.
The temple features shrines for several deities, including Vedavalli Thayar, Andal, and Alvars, with unique Vaikhanasa Agama rituals. It is revered as one of the few temples where Krishna is worshipped with his consort Rukmini, along with Balarama, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. The sacred pushkarani, Kairavani, is believed to be surrounded by five teerthams, with the temple serving as a key center for Krishna worship in Southern India.