Inscriptions from the 8th century Pallavas (Tondaiman Chakravarti) are seen in this temple. The Vijayanagar rulers have made endowments here. The temple covers an area of about 1.5 acrees. The gold image of Tirumaal Nachiyaar, adorning the chest of Venkatakrishnar is a rare work of art. It is believed that Venkateswara of Tirupati manifested himself as Parthasarathy here, and hence the name Venkatakrishnan. This shrine is considered equivalent to Tirupati, and Saturdays in the month of Purattasi are considered sacred here.

The Kapaleeshwar Temple located in Mylapore in Chennai is a fine example of eight-century Pallavan architecture and is the oldest temple in the city. This temple forms a nucleus for the crowded residential area of Mylapore. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeshwar Temple is characteristic of the Dravidian architectural style with its elaborate and intricately carved Gopuram, mandapams and a tank. You can find fragments of inscriptions dating back to 1250 AD. As legend has it, Lord Shiva is purported to have pinched off one of the heads of Brahma so as to arrest his pride. As a form of penance, Brahma installed a Shiva Lingam in this spot to do penance. This Lingam is known as Kapaleeshwarar. In the courtyard of the Kapaleeshwar Temple, you can find a small shrine of Goddess Parvathi in the form of a peacock worshipping her consort Lord Shiva.

The temple at Vadapalani is dedicated to Lord Subramanya and the deity is worshipped as Pazhani Andavar. A picture of Lord Subrahmanya was brought here from Palani that became a very potent divinity, thus acquiring the name Vadapalani. Vadapalani lies in the northern part of Chennai.