CHENNAI: The Chenna Kesava temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is located on Devaraja Mudali Street in George Town. The twin-temples of Chenna Kesava Perumal and Chenna Malleesvara (Siva temple) are well-known as they are connected with the modern history of Chennai.
The original Chenna Kesava Perumal temple was located, even in the 17th century, in the premises of the High Court. It was demolished in 1757 by the East India Company and later rebuilt in the present premises. It is believed Chennai was named after the Chenna Kesava Perumal temple.
This east-facing temple is entered through a spacious mantapa which has tall monolithic pillars studded with well-wrought sculptures. Another large pillared pavilion, located immediately in front of the central sanctum, has pillars even more beautifully carved. Noteworthy are two sculptures in bold relief of Manali Saravana Mudaliyar and Manali Krishnaswami Mudaliar who rendered yeoman service to this temple.
Inside the principal shrine is a stone image of Chenna Kesava Perumal. It is interesting to learn that during a turbulent period, the processional images (utsava murti) were taken to the Vishnu temple in Tiruneermalai (near Chromepet) for safety. They were later brought back, but by mistake, the utsava murtis of the Tiruneermalai temple came to the Chenna Kesava Perumal temple.
An eyecatching feature is the row of beautifully carved stone elephants at the entrance of the shrine of Goddess Lakshmi who is worshipped as Senkamalavalli Thayar. The carvings on the stone doorway of the Kodandarama sanctum are worth noticing. Some of the sculptures of the mantapa in front of the Andal sanctum too are outstanding.