Sri Chennakesava Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ சென்னகேசவ பெருமாள் கோயில், George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,

24th December 2016

Mr. Venkatesh, Mrs. Sreemathy, Mrs. Sakthi Prakash, Mr. Raja, and I went for a Heritage walk on 24th December 2016, from Chennakesava Perumal temple to Nattukottai Nagarathar Viduthis.  On the way, we peeped inside some of the heritage buildings like the YMCA, and Pachaiyappa’s College Higher Secondary School.

Moolavar : Sri Chennakesava Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Kamalavalli Thayar.

Some of the important features of this temple are ...

The temple faces east with a 4 pillar mandapam and an entrance arch. The 3 tier Rajagopuram  with dwarapalakas are after the mandapam.

In the outer prakaram, sannadhis for Alwars ( Chakkarathalwar is in a separate sannadhi ), SenGamala Valli Thayar, Andal ( a Kili – Parrot - mandapam is in front ), Kothanda Ramar.  

The original utsavar was sent to Thiruneermalai for safe custody during the Tippu Sultan and Portuguese invasion. After that, the present Urchava Moorthy ( which did not belong to this temple ) was brought back to the temple.

During the annual Brahmotsavam at Tirupati, the Umbrellas will be taken from this temple in a procession.  The Temple tank and the Chariot are shared by both the Sri Chenna Malleeswarar  Temple and Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple. There is an interlinking passage between these two temples.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, an ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. Alwars are in the mukha mandapam. A 3 tier Nagara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctroum. Mandapa ceilings have exhaustively caved reliefs, like parrots, etc,. The Mandapa Pillars have bas-reliefs like, Thayar Sengamalavalli, Krishna Leela, Donors, Flower creepers, lotus medalions, etc,. 

The Temple tank and the Chariot are shared by both Sri Chenna Malleeswarar  Temple and Sri Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple. There is an interlinking passage also between these two temples. 

an artistic carving on the ceiling 

Kili – parrot - mandapam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The old temple was in the present High Court complex. The temple was demolished for a clear view from the port by the  British East India Company. Due to public protest, the British East India Company allotted land and donated money to reconstruct the temple. The temple was reconstructed in 1762 CE by Manali Muthu Krishna Mudaliar. Apart from the money donated for the reconstruction of both temples in the year 1762 by the British East India Company, Manali Muthukrishna Mudaliar also donated a sum of 5202 pagodas. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

http://chennakesavaperumaltemple.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is about 500 meters from Broadway bus terminus and 200 meters distance from Pookadai Police Station.

About 1.5  KM from  Fort Suburban Railway Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

Vahana

Thenkalai elephant?

Sengamalavalli Thayar

Sita... ?

Krishna Leela 

an owl relief on the Pillar 

Ulakalantha Perumal 

Donors

Donors

Donor with pants and Coat

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---