The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows vaikanasa aagama. The temple has grand brahmotsavams (big festival) for Sri Parthasarathy swami during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April–May), on the same month Udayavar uthsavam is also celebrated.
As per Sri Pillailogam Jeeyar Swamy in his work "Ramanuja Divya Charithai" it is stated that Sri Asoori Kesava Somayaji, father of Sri Ramanuja, performed Putrakaameshti Yagam at Kairavini the temple pond at Thiruvallikeni, and prayed to Sri Parthasarathy to bless him with a son. Sri Parthasarathy appeared in the dreams of Sri Asoori Kesava Somayaji and promised he will be born as his son to impart teachings of his Gita for the benefit of mankind.
Bhagavad Gita Bhāshya (a review and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita),was later written by Sri Ramanuja. In conformity of the above tradition during the annual festival, unlike other Alwars and Acharyas, Sri Ramanuja has independent processions both in the morning and evening.
Parthasarathy Perumal Yaanai Vahanam
The temple in 1851
In the month of Vaigasi, Sri Varadarajar uthsavam, Sri Nammalwar uthsavam (vaigasi-visagam) and Vasanthothsavam are celebrated.
Sri Azhagiyasingar (Lord Narashimha) during the Tamil month of Aani (June–July).So uniquely two Bhrammotsavams are performed here annually. There are also festivals for Ramanuja (April–May) and Manavalamamunigal (Oct-Nov) besides festivals for Alvars and Acharyas. Vaikunta Ekadesi and during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) draws lot of pilgrims.
Western entrance to the temple
Utsavams : Utsavams take place around the year in Parthasarathy temple. Urchavams (or utsavams), as these are termed, take place for a particular god at a particular period of time in the year. It is a religious practise to carry the different gods of the temple through the mada veethis of triplicane during some of these festivals.
The Gods will move in different religiously built temple vehicles (vaghanams, as these are termed in Tamil), like Elephant, Garuda, Horse, Yaali (a mythical animal), Hamsa (Swan), Hanuman, temple Rath (ther in Tamil, chariot or Ratham, alternative terms), etc.
The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows vaikanasa aagama. The temple has grand brahmotsavams (big festival) for Sri Parthasarathy swami during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April–May), on the same month Udayavar uthsavam is also celebrated.
Parthasarathy Temple during Shri Vaikunda Ekaadasi festival
The following are the various festivals or urchavams or utsavams or utsav in Parthasarathy temple in different parts of the Tamil Calendar year.During festival days the place is given a new look and accompanied by various traditional rites.
| Traditional Tamil calendar month (Gregorian calendar months) |
Festival |
| Chithirai (April–May) |
Shri Bhrahma Utsav (Brahmotsavam)- Lord Shri Bhrahma himself will perform this most important festival.Seer Shri Udaiyar's Utsav and Vidaiyaatri (Concluding and Leave-Taking Ceremony). |
| Vaigasi (May–June) |
Vasanthoutsavam- Spring Festival
Shri Gajendra Varadaraja Swamy Utsav Shri Ranganatha-Shri Vedavall Thayaar Utsav
|
| Aani (June–July) |
Shri Narasimha Swami BhrahmoUtsavam
and Kodai Utsav (Summer Festival)
|
| Aadi (July–August) |
Shri Gajendra Moksham (Salvage for Gajendra-King of Elephants)
Shri Parthasarathy .Jyeshtabishekam. Jyeshta-means Chief-in-Brethren: Abhishekam means pouring of selected Holy Liquid and Solid Items (like milk, honey, etc.) on the Lord Thiru Paavadai Utsav Anointing of Epicurean Offerings on the Holy Physique. Thiru Aadi Pooram - Birthday of Shrimadh Aandal on Her Birth Zodiacical Star Shri Parthasarathy .Jyeshtabishekam.
|
| Aavani (August–September) |
Pavithroutsavam (Thiru Pavithra Utsav) - Santification ceremony.
Shri Jayanthi or Krishna Jayanthi (Birthday of Lord Krishna)
|
| Puratasi (September–October) |
Navarathiri -Festival of nine lights
Shri Vedavalli Thaayar Laksharachana
|
| Iypassi (October–November) |
Shri Manavaala Mamunigal Utsavam
Deepavali or Diwali - Festival of Lights Anna kooda utsavam- offering variety of rice
|
| Karthigai (November–December) |
Thir karthigai Deepam - Various and Varied Lights
Thaila Kaapu - anointing of several medicinal oils or his/her corporal
|
| Margazhii (December–January) |
Maargazhii Pagal Pathu (Days-Ten)
Shri Vaikunta Ekaadasi (Entering into Heaven) Raa Pathu (Night-Ten)
|
| Thai (January–February) |
Laksharachana of Shri Parthasarathyswamy
Rathasapthami (Ratha-Car, Sapthami- Seventh Lunar Occasion) Visiting Festival to Ekkatuthangal
|
| Masi (February–March) |
Masi Magam (Magam-star day)
Theppam or Thepotsavam (Float Festival in Temple Tank) Dhavana Utsav (Spring Festival)
|
| Panguni (March–April) |
Panguni Uthram (uthram - a star day)
Shri Rama Navami (Birthday of Lord Ram)
|
Eastern entrance arch near the coast on Beach Road
The most important among these festivals are the Vaikunda Ekadesi – as huge crowds from not only chennai, but also various parts of Tamil Nadu and India come to the temple on this day; Theppam or Thepotsavam – the colourful float festival, and the utsavam for the main deity lord Parthasarathy.
Theppam (Float) festival : Also known Teppothsavam (= Theppam + Utsavam), this pictorial and colourful festival takes place on 7 days in the Tamil month of masi, 3 days for Lord Parthasarathy, one each for Sri Narasimhar, Sri Ranganathar, Sri Ramar and Sri Gajendra Varadhar. The seven-day event attracts a large number of devotees and onlookers from different parts of Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
A floating structure made up of drums, timber would be constructed and would be beautifully decorated with lights, flowers, religious paintings, silken buntings, etc. which serves as a visual delight. For better ambience, lights were also installed in the garden around the tank and additionally, focus lights were placed on the corners of the Neerazhi Mandapam (the Mandapam (structure) in the Center of the temple tank). Perumal (God) would come to the temple tank in Purappadu (departure) and be placed majestically inside the float.
On all the days, the float completed five rounds around the Neerazhi Mandapam. After this, the deities were taken in a procession around the four Mada Streets.