SHREE GUJARATI SWETAMBER

Gujarati Swetamber Murtipujak Jain Mandir is one of the most important Jain Mandirs (temples) in the city. The first Jain temple in South India with 3 gopurams and 5 doors, it has marble carvings based on the principle of the famous 'Dilwara' temples. The main deity of the temple is Lord Parsvanatha who is the 23rd Tirthankara in Jainism.

The tempe is built only of marble and does not contain any ironwork. For its construction, architects, carvers and workers were brought in from Rajasthan.

According to Jain scriptures the colour of God was green. So in order to have a special idol made, quartz was selected from the Chellur mines near Tumkur, Karnataka. The idol was made with tools used for cutting precious stones like diamonds.

The main prayer hall has exquisite glass work, a rare sight in South India.

Another unique feature of this Jain temple is that Jain acharyas (priests) walk all the way from North India to visit and stay here for 'Chatur Masa'. ('Chatur Masa' is a period of four months when Jain acharyas stay and give discourses on Jainism to the devotees).

SRI PAARTHASAARATHY TEMPLE

This temple that dates back to the 8th century, is dedicated to Lord Krishna who took on the role of a charioteer (saarathy) to Arjuna also known as Partha.

The temple houses five avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu.

Originally built by the Pallavas, the temple underwent several modifications across the centuries. At various times the French, the Dutch and the Golconda rulers occupied the temple as a battle imperative.

This most important temple to Vishnu in Chennai, has a December festival that is a highlight in the Chennai events calendar.

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