The place where Lord Vishnu sports a Mousche

Parthasarathy Temple is a splendid spectacle featuring striking shrines of Lord Narasimha, Sri Yoga Narasimhar, Lord Gajendra Varadar, Lord Chakravarthy Thirumagan, Lord Ranganatha, Goddess Vedavalli and Goddess Andal. The glory of the temple lies in its being one of the Vaishnava Divya Desams. 

This is the only temple in which the Lord appears with a moustache. It's significance lies in the fact that the temple houses Lord Vishnu in the form of Parathasarthy. Partha is one of the names of Arjuna and the word Sarathy means Charioteer. Lord Krishna was the charioteer of Arjuna in Kurukshetra war of Mahabharata.

Because of the moustache avatar, he is often referred to as Meesai Perumal. He resides in the shrine with his wife Rukmani. Also, Perumal does not hold his chakra in this avatar.

There is a sacred tank near the temple comprising of five holy wells and it is said that the water is more pious than the water of river Ganges. Presiding deity Lord Parathasarthy showcases several injuries on its face that was caused by the arrows of Bhishma in the battle of Mahabharata. The ones he endured while he protected Arjuna.

Vaishnavite saints Periyazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar and Thirumalizhai Azhwar have sung paurams on this great shrine. Sri Thiyagaraja and Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar of the Carnatic music trinity have sung praises on this Lord. Mahakavi Bharathiyar, a resident of Thiruvallikeni had also written in praise of Lord Parthasarathi.

The region is named Thiru-Alli-Keni which means lily pond. It is said that the region had several Lily ponds and was once a Tulsi forest.