Hear enlightening narratives as you journey, outlining the impactful trail left by St. Thomas in the city and across India from AD52 to AD72. Gain insights on the evolution of Christianity in Chennai by exploring esteemed religious sites like the cavern in the Little Mount, the hand imprints of St. Thomas, St. Thomas Mount, and the St. Thome Basilica.
Hear enlightening narratives as you journey, outlining the impactful trail left by St. Thomas in the city and across India from AD52 to AD72. Gain insights on the evolution of Christianity in Chennai by exploring esteemed religious sites like the cavern in the Little Mount, the hand imprints of St. Thomas, St. Thomas Mount, and the St. Thome Basilica.
- Wonder tours and travels - Santhome Basilica, Little Mount and St Thomas Mount
- San Thome Church - This soaring Roman Catholic cathedral, a stone’s throw from the beach, was founded by the Portuguese in 1523, then rebuilt by the British in neo-Gothic style in 1896, and is said to mark the final resting place of St Thomas the Apostle. It’s…
- Wonder tours and travels - Santhome Basilica, Little Mount and St Thomas Mount
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San Thome Church - This soaring Roman Catholic cathedral, a stone’s throw from the beach, was founded by the Portuguese in 1523, then rebuilt by the British in neo-Gothic style in 1896, and is said to mark the final resting place of St Thomas the Apostle. It’s believed ‘Doubting Thomas’ brought Christianity to the subcontinent in AD 52 and was killed at St Thomas Mount, Chennai, in AD 72.
Although most of St Thomas’ mortal remains now apparently lie in Italy, a cross on the tomb wall contains a tiny bone fragment marked ‘Relic of St Thomas’. The museum above displays Thomas-related artefacts including the lancehead believed to have killed him.
St Thomas’ Pole, at the beach end of the street on the cathedral’s south side, is said to have miraculously saved the cathedral from the 2004 tsunami. - Little Mount Shrine - Little Mount is a cave in which St.Thomas hid in AD 68 and did penance. There is an opening to the east of the cave through which St.Thomas escaped when his pursuers caught up with him here. The palm print and hand print near the tunnel’s entrance are believed to be those of St.Thomas himself. We will also see the masonry cross cut at the top of the hill which is believed to be the cross before which St.Thomas prayed. Another interesting aspect of this cave is the spring inside the hill which is perennial and is supposed to be the miraculous creation of the St. Thomas himself.
- St. Thomas Mount National Shrine - The reputed site of St Thomas’ martyrdom in AD 72 rises in the southwest of Chennai, 2.5km north of St Thomas Mount train station and metro station. The Church of Our Lady of Expectation, built atop the ‘mount’ by the Portuguese in 1523, contains what are supposedly a fragment of Thomas’ finger bone and the ‘Bleeding Cross’ he carved. The city and airport views are wonderful.
- Private transportation
- Lunch included
- Full-time professional guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Chennai
- All fees and taxes covered
- Private transportation
- Lunch included
- Full-time professional guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Chennai
- All fees and taxes covered
- Drinks
- Drinks
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
