The Chariot God Temple of Chennai (Sri Parthasarathy Swami Devasthanam)

The book takes the reader on a journey inside the Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai. It is one of the oldest and most famous temples in Tamil Nadu and is of the 108 Divya Desams restored by a King of the Pallava dynasty,

The book is a well-researched and comprehensive tome on the five-thousand-year-old temple. It provides fascinating insights into its history and legend while tracing the evolution of both Chennal and the Triplicane are. Rich in detail, it includes vivid descriptions of various sculptures, shrines, deities, Vimanams, Gopurams and rituals Including the annual festival (Pagalpathu and Rapathu).

The clear and simple narrative transports the reader right into the heart of its time honoured traditions and bustling activities, making him or her part of the divine atmosphere of the Sri Parthasarathy temple.

V.V.S. Manian has had an extremely successful and unique career in the fields of marketing, Communication, Journalism and Teaching. He started off as Project and Chief Marketing Manager, Modern Bakeries Ltd., New Delhi. He travelled the length and breadth of India. He moved from public sector to advertising and media and has worked at leading organizations like WS Industries and Efficient Publicities. He has worked as a freelance journalist and photographer for The Mail, Madras (Chennai). He contributed regularly to The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Bhavan's Journal and Trinity Mirror. He was the founder editor of two weeklies, Blue streak and Janamitran. He currently runs the Asian News and Features Syndicate, Chennai.

V.V.S. Manian was also the Hony. Principal for the evening college, Bhavan's Rajaji College of Communication and Management, Chennai and taught Marketing and Journalism for nearly three decades. V.V.S. Manian also served as Asst to Hony. Consul for Canada and Pondicherry from 1992 to 2003. He has undergone specialised training for Honorary Consul conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs Canada.

As a writer, he has over 1000 articles to his credit on topics like politics, health and religion. He has interpreted and translated slokas like Abhirami Andadhi, Shiva Sahasranamam, Vishnu sahasaranamam, Soundarya Lahari, Bhaja Govindam and Neethi Sathagam. He has written several books, including the Dictionary on Journalism and Mass Communication, Architectural and Sculptural Beauty of Kapali Temple and Prayers for Prosperity (E book).

Manian holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from PSG College of Technology and BA from PSG Arts College, Coimbatore and a post graduate diploma in Public Relations and Journalism from Rajendra Prasad Institute of Communication Studies in Mumbai. He has also done online courses from Oxford, Columbia, Harvard and Berklee Universities, USA.

Mr. Manian has travelled widely. He is also actively involved in politics and is currently with the BJP.

The book takes the reader on a journey inside the famed old Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai. It is one of the oldest and famous temples in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams renovated by a King of Pallava dynasty.

The book deeply researched and comprehensive tome on the five thousand year old temple. It gives a fascinating insights into the history, legend and traces the timeline of both Triplicane and Chennai. Rich in detail, it includes vivid description of various sculptures, shrines, deities Vimanams, Gopurams and rituals including the annul festival (Pagalpathu and Rapathu). The clear narrative takes the reader right to the heart of the temple and makes him or her part of the events taking place in the vicinity.

The temple of Sri Parthasarathy Swamy in Triplicane is one of the most sacred shrines in South India. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams. People believe that Lord Krishna manifested himself as Parthasarathy (Charioteer to Arjuna in the Mahabharata war). Devotees in thousands come here: to get his Darshan and to obtain boons from the Lord. The temple has hoary antiquity and many Azhwars have sung in praise of the deity.

Sri V.V.S. Manian has tried to present the history of this shrine in all aspects and also given a vivid description of the annual festival and daily rituals. Manian has also presented a chronological account of this ancient temple which has received benefactions from ruling dynasties like the Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagara rulers.

Sri V.V.S. Manian has also identified the numerous structures in the temple complex mentioned in the inscriptions, dated them and has provided us with an account of the development of the temple. He also utilized the data from the temple records, and old manuscripts traced the history of the temple, and presented it in an interesting manner. He has also beautifully portrayed how 'Brahmotsavam' is performed with all pomp and splendor.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages