Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane Conducts Grand Thiruvooral Utsavam at Ekkaduthangal
The historic Parthasarathy Swamy Temple at Thiruvallikeni (Triplicane), regarded as one of the most important temples in Chennai, celebrated its annual Thiruvooral Utsavam with traditional fervour and devotion on February 15, 2026.
The temple is globally revered as the only shrine where Sri Krishna appears in the unique form of Sri Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata, depicted with a moustache. The processional deity bears symbolic arrow marks on the face and feet, signifying the wounds He accepted from Bheeshma’s arrows to protect His devotee Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war.
Early Morning Departure and Devotee Offerings
In the early hours of February 15, at around 1.30 a.m., Lord Sri Parthasarathy Swamy commenced His ceremonial journey from the temple. At approximately 4.15 a.m., the procession reached Mylapore for Peyalwar Mangalasasanam before proceeding through various localities, blessing devotees along the route.
Devotees and Ubhayadars (donors) welcomed the Lord at their residences with traditional kuthuvilakku lamps and Poornakumbham honours. Offerings of fruits, flowers, garlands, tamboolam, and prasadam were presented, and the blessed prasadam was distributed among the donors.
Grand Abhishekam at Ekkaduthangal
By noon, the procession reached Ekkaduthangal, where the Lord was accorded Snapana Thirumanjanam (sacred abhishekam) at 12 p.m. The ceremony drew large numbers of devotees who witnessed the sacred ritual, believed to bestow divine grace and auspiciousness upon participants.
The Thiruvooral Utsavam symbolises the Lord’s sovereign grace and benevolence toward all living beings, as He visits His lands and blesses devotees along the way.
Evening Procession via Saidapettai
In the evening, around 5.45 p.m., the Lord reached the Perumal Temple at Saidapettai. After offering darshan there, He resumed the return procession at about 6.45 p.m., halting at select donor residences before proceeding back to Thiruvallikeni.
The Lord travelled in a beautifully decorated palanquin accompanied by His consorts, Nachiyars Rukmini and Sathyabhama. At Saidapettai, the palanquin procession was enhanced by decorative umbrellas, and devotees were blessed with an unobstructed darshan as the top covering of the palanquin was ceremonially removed.
Devotees described the darshan along the Mada streets of Saidapettai as a spiritually uplifting and blissful experience.
Annual Celebration
The Thiruvooral Utsavam is observed annually during January or February and continues to draw large gatherings of devotees from across the city and beyond.
All necessary arrangements for the festival were coordinated by temple authorities under the supervision of Smt. S. Nithya, M.A., M.L., Deputy Commissioner/Executive Officer, along with temple staff.
— T. Raghavan