Why Face Of Processional Or Utsavar Murti At Chennai Triplicane Parthasarathy Temple Have Dark Scar Marks?

The face of the processional or utsavar murti of Parthasarathy (Bhagavan Sri Krishna) worshiped at the Triplicane Parthasarathy temple have dark small pock-like marks. This is because the form of Bhagavan Sri Krishna worshipped in the temple is that of Sri Krishna participating in the Mahabharata war. It is believed that the scars were due to the arrows of Bhishma aimed at Arjuna. It is said that Bhagavan Sri Krishna took the arrows on himself to protect Arjuna.

Due to this reason, chilli and oil is not used while preparing food at Triplicane Parthasarathy temple.

The face of utsavar is sensitive to heat and therefore chilies and oil are avoided.

All preparations in the temple are made using ghee. Black pepper is used instead of chilies.

The only oil used in the temple is til oil or sesame oil (nallennai in Tamil) to prepare puliyodharai. This is because it is believed that til oil is good for the skin.

Parthasarathy worshipped in the temple is with a moustache and is the only temple in which Bhagavan Sri Krishna is worshipped with a moustache. Parthasarathy form of Sri Krishna does not carry any weapon as Krishna had sworn not to carry any weapon in the Mahabharata war. He is depicted with a stick to direct the horses of his chariot carrying Arjuna.