The Parthasarathy Temple, located in Triplicane (Tiruvallikeni) in Chennai, is an ancient Vaishnavite Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, worshipped here as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna. Believed to have been established during the 8th century, it is regarded as the oldest surviving temple in the city of Chennai.

This sacred shrine holds a revered position as the 61st Divya Desam among the 108 Divya Desams, the holiest temples of Lord Vishnu praised by the Tamil saint-poets known as the Azhwars. The temple finds frequent mention in the Divya Prabandhams, a collection of devotional hymns composed in Tamil, highlighting its immense spiritual importance in Sri Vaishnava tradition.

Historical references to Tiruvallikeni village date back to the Pallava period and earlier, indicating that the temple has long served as the cultural and spiritual center of the region. The name Tiruvallikeni itself is derived from the words alli (lily) and keni (pond). According to tradition, Goddess Vedavalli, consort of Lord Ranganatha—one of the temple’s five principal deities—emerged from a lily in the sacred pond located in front of the temple.

It is also believed that the area surrounding the pond was once a lush Tulasi (holy basil) forest, further enhancing the sanctity of the site. Over centuries, the Parthasarathy Temple has remained the heart of Triplicane’s religious, cultural, and historical identity, standing as a living testament to Chennai’s ancient heritage and devotional traditions.