Chennakesava Perumal Temple

Introduction to the Chennakesava Perumal Temple

The Chennakesava Perumal Temple is one of the few temples built with the aid of the British East India Company. It is in George Town, Chennai. People consider Chenna Kesava Perumal the patron deity of Chennai. Chenna Malleeswarar Temple and Chennakesava Perumal Temple are called twin temples. It is said that Chennai Pattinam was named after the Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple.

History of the Chennakesava Perumal Temple

The Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple is an ancient one. The original Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple has been in existence since the 17th century, where the Madras High Court is presently located. The British East India Company demolished it in 1757 to provide a clear view from the port. Due to public protest, the British East India Company donated land and money to Manali Muthukrishna Mudaliar to build the new Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple in 1762. He built Chenna Malleeswarar temple along with Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple. Manali Muthukrishna Mudaliar also donated a sum of 5202 pagodas for the construction of these temples. The French and Tipu Sultan invaded the original temple. The temple priests took the idol of Chenna Kesava to Thiruneermalai temple and, by mistake, brought down the Utsava deity of Thiruneermalai temple.

The Architecture of the Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple

Dubash Beri Thimmappa, one of Madras' founders, built the Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple in Chennai city's first year of establishment.

The Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple faces east. It has a four-pillared Mandapam and an entrance arch. The temple has a three-tier Rajagopuram with Dwarpalakas following the Mandapam. The Dhwajasthambam is before the temple.

In the outer Prakaram, Alwars, Kamala Valli Thayar, Andal, and Kothanda Ramar have separate shrines. During the annual Tirupati Brahmotsavam, a procession takes the umbrellas from the Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple. Sri Chenna Malleeswarar and Chenna Kesava Perumal temple share the temple tank and chariot. An interlinking passage connects these two temples.

The temple's presiding deity is Chenna Kesava Perumal, an incarnation of Perumal. His consort is Mother Kamala Valli Thayar. Chenna Kesava Perumal faces east.

The Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple has a sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and a Mukha Mandapam. The idols of Alwars are in the Mukha Mandapam. The sanctum has a 3-tier Nagara Vimana with a small image of Chenna Kesava Perumal in the standing posture, along with his consorts Sri Devi and Boo Devi. Bas-reliefs of Kamala Valli Thayar, Krishna Leela, Flower creepers, and lotus are in the Mandapam pillars.

Festivals in the Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple

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