Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple

Introduction to the Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple

The Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple is an ancient temple located in George Town, Chennai. Chenna Malleeswarar Temple is nearby, so they are called Twin Temples. It is also called Pattinam Perumal Temple. This temple was popular even before the arrival of the British. The word 'Chenna' means 'fair' in Telugu and Kannada.

Legend of the Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple

Beri Thimappa originally built the twin temples Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple and Chenna Malleeswarar Temple. He was the Dubash, who brokered the deal between Francis Day, the administrator of the East India Company, and the local chieftain for the small strip of beach. Chennai city's name is said to have been derived from these temples.

The old Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple was in the High Court complex. The British East India Company demolished it to allow a clear view of the Port. As the public objected to the temple's demolition, the British East India Company allotted land and donated money for its reconstruction. Manali Muthu Krishna Mudaliar reconstructed it in 1792 and donated a sum of 5202 pagodas.

The Architecture of the Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple

The Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple faces east and has a four-pillared Mandapam. Visitors can see many shops here. It has a 3-tier Rajagopuram. The entrance has a lintel with the images of Vishnu and his consorts. Dwarpalakas are seen after the Mandapam.

Dhwaja Sthambam, Bali Peetam, and Garuda are in the courtyard facing toward the sanctum. The four-pillared Mandapam, which has exquisite sculptures, is outside the Mukha Mandapam.

The Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple has a Sanctum, an Ardha Mandapam, and a Mukha Mandapam. The Mukha Mandapam Pillars have bas-reliefs like Chenkamala Valli Thayar, Krishna Leela, Donors, Flower creepers, and lotus medallions. They also have beautiful mural paintings. In the Mukha Mandapam, there are separate shrines in an east-facing direction for Alavandar, Senai Mudali, Periyazhwar, Mudaliyandan, Koorathalvan, Azhwars, and Ramanujar.

The temple's main deity is Chenna Kesava Perumal, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who faces east. Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are his consorts. The sanctum enshrines the small idol of Chenna Keshava Perumal in a standing posture with his consorts. A 3-tier Nagara Vimana is on the sanctum.

Chenkamala Valli Thayar is in the east-facing shrine in the Prakaram. Kodanda Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana shrines, is also in the Prakaram. The Hanuman shrine is opposite to it. The Andal shrine is in the Killi Mandapam, where sculptures of parrots can be seen.

Venu Gopal-Bhama-Rukmini and Sudarshan, along with Narasimha on his back, are some of the prominent deities in this temple. Visitors can witness attractive carvings on the pillars of the entire temple.

Sri Chenna Malleeswarar Temple and Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple share the temple tank and chariot. They also have an interconnecting passage.

Festivals in the Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple

The Chenna Keshava Perumal Temple celebrates Pongal, Vasantha Utsavam, Jestabishekam, Periyalvar Utsavam, Adi Pooram, and the 10-day Chithirai Brahmotsavam.