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 "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.
Landmarks
Shopping
, one of the main attractions in Purasawalkam, is a Multiplex including four main cinemas and many shopping outlets. Tana Street, the heart of Purasawalkam, is one of the busiest streets in Chennai. It is famous for its jewelry, vegetables, Clay pot cooking and Pharmacies. It also features a busy grocery market. There are also many textile showrooms, including MadharSha, Deensha, Sree Krishna Collections, Textile India, Ranjanas,The Raymond showroom, Peter England showroom, Ramraj textile showroom and more. And Home appliances/Supermarkets such as Vasanth and Co.,Viveks the Unlimited shop, Chellamani & Co., Rasi & Co., Rathna Stores and Saravana Stores Super Shopping Mall. The Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College's boys hostel is also situated here opposite to Motcham theater.
Restaurants
Popular Restaurants here include Hotel Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Akshaya The Tasty Veg. Restaurant, Raaj Bhavan, Hotel Welcome, Hotel Vasantha Bhavan, The Hot Chips, Doveton Cafe, Hotel Deccan, Hotel Paradise, Hotel Paramount and Hotel Sanmaan along with an umpteen number of Biriyani shops. There are a significant number of wine shops in Purasawakkam.
Purasai also contains a huge Lutheran church, Adaikalanathar Church, operated under the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church. Other churches include Jehovah-Shammah, St. Joseph's Church, St Andrew's church, St. Paul's Church, St. Mathias Church, CSI Missionary chapel, Emmanuel Methodist, Tamil Methodist, Apostolic Church and Apostolic Fellowship Tabernacle, Apostolic Christian Assembly which is the biggest congregation in Chennai.
Temples
Some of the famous Temples in this area are Gangadeeshwarar Temple, Sumukha Vinayaka Temple, Karpaga Vinayaka Temple and Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Vellala Street, Solai Amma Temple and Sri Purushadaniya Parshvnath Jain Temple, Sai baba temple,Sri Varadaraja perumal temple in solaiamman koil street.
Mosques
Mosques here include Jumma Masjid, Periamet Mosque and PMWA mosque in Yemi street.
Politics
Late politician Naanchil Manoharan's house is situated on the Mookathal Street near Saravana Super Stores.
Purasawakkam Legislative assembly constituency is a part of Central Chennai.
Most of the celebrity persons lived in Purasawalkam; example: A.R.Rahaman, D.Imman, Vairamuthu and many.
Thana street end ; Mukesh ji house is located; he is the person helping others; good character and lovely person; every Purasawalkam people knows him; he has a lot of shops in Thana street.
