1 PARTHASARATHY TEMPLE

Image ID: 310622

Caption : A view of the Parthasarathy temple situated at Triplicane in Chennai, the capital of the southern Indian State of Chennai. It is the oldest surviving temple in Chennai and enshrines images of the five incarnations of Vishnu including that of a wounded Krishna. Parthasarathy literally means the 'charioteer of Arjuna'. Partha is another name for Arjuna and Sarathy means charioteer. The temple was built as early as the 8th century by the Pallavas. However, additions and renovations were constantly made over the next four centuries. The Pandyas and Cholas also contributed to some changes. Traces of the architectural signs of the Vijayanagar kings, who ruled as late as the 16th century, are also evident in the temple structure. The temple and its environs retain the traditional flavour and the four streets around the temple still have old-world houses and the lifestyle here still resembles that which prevailed in the region 200-300 years ago.