| Purasawalkam | |
| Other Name: | Purasai, Purasawakkam, purasaiwakkam |
| Settlement Type: | Neighbourhood |
| Nickname: | Purasai |
| Pushpin Map: | India Chennai#Tamil Nadu#India |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Purasawalkam புரசைவாக்கம் (Chennai) |
| Coordinates: | 13.0902°N 80.2543°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Tamil Nadu |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Chennai |
| Subdivision Type3: | Metro |
| Subdivision Name3: | Chennai |
| Governing Body: | Greater Chennai Corporation |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Elevation M: | 53 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Tamil |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 600084 |
| Registration Plate: | TN-01 |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Planning agency |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | CMDA |
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | Civic agency |
| Blank2 Info Sec1: | Greater Chennai Corporation |
Purasawalkam also known as Purasaiwakkam or Purasai / Purasawakkam, is a residential shopping area in the district of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is close to the Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore railway stations.
The name "Purasai" came from the name of a tree called 'purasai maram' in Tamil. In olden days this area was abundant with these trees. Also, there were a lot of stables at once in an age which was referred as (horse) "puravi" in Tamil, puravivakkam later termed as purasaiwakkam. The Gangadeeshwarar temple near the Purasawalkam tank speaks about this history. The tank belongs to this temple.
The Gangadeeshwarar temple is very famous temple for ages. Here the Shiva Lingam which is situated at mulasthanam, has a unique feature of wetness throughout the year. Even in the drought conditions and severe summer seasons, the wetness near the Shiva Lingam is observed.
Another story is that, in 1799, Company Assistant Surgeon John Underwood of the British East India Company in the then Madrasapattanam, established in "Poorshewak", now known as Purasawalkam, what may be considered the first hospital in India meant solely for the Indian poor; the Native Infirmary. [1]
Purasawalkam legislative assembly constituency is a part of Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency).[2]
Kellys Signal on the West and Doveton Signal on the East. Further this area is still known by the prominent theatres like Motcham, Mekala, Abhirami, Roxy, though all of have been demolished now.
Abirami Mega Mall, is a Multiplex including four main cinemas and shopping outlets.[3] Tana Street, the heart of Purasawalkam, is one of the busiest streets in Chennai. It has jewelry, vegetables, clay pot cooking and pharmacies. It also features a busy grocery market. There are also many textile showrooms. Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College's boys hostel is also situated here opposite to Motcham theater.