St. Thomas Mount National Shrine
St. Thomas Mount National Shrine
St. Thomas Mount National Shrine
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Neighborhood: Royapettah
Another busy neighbourhood that is a center of trade and commercial related sctivities is the famous and popular Royapettah. Apart from being known for its many tourist attractions, Royapettah is a favourite shopping and entertainment check in for all budget travelers. Popular for shops selling home fabrics, traditional sweets, furniture and house décor, it can be quite a delight for all those looking at packing in a range of quick shopping on a busy touristy day. For those seeking to take a break from a shopping agenda, visit the magnificent 150-year old Amir Mahal – one of the largest palaces in the city or chill at Amethyst, a nostalgically posh haven that's outrageously popular with expats and well-off Chennaiites for its creative menu and beautiful range of artefacts and jewellery.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
354 reviews
Excellent
177
Very good
133
Average
41
Poor
2
Terrible
1
TravellingSands
Chennai (Madras), India472 contributions
Dec 2019
St Thomas Mount is one of the three places of importance associated with St Thomas located atop a small hill near Guindy in Chennai. The nearest Metro station is Alandur. Crowded on weekends
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denis P
Mahe Island, Seychelles65 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
We attended the 9 O'clock English Sunday mass. It was very prayerful and well animated choir. We felt the presence of St. Patrick and St. Thomas.
Written April 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom GJ
Rockhampton, Australia102 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Thank you God for your ways to send Thomas here. It was great to walk where he walked even 2000 years later
Written March 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas D
Karlsruhe, Germany176 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
This is supposed to be the place where the apostle Thomas died the martyrdom. The church on top of the mountain has some relique of St Thomas. It is a quiet religious place with a great view on the city of Chennai.
Written March 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thangam M
Chennai1,460 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
St. Thomas Mount (Parangimalai in Tamil) named after St. Thomas, the disciple of Jesus, is a small hillock near Guindy, close to Chennai International Airport, overlooking the Officers Training Academy (OTA).
The origin of this Church is traced to St. Thomas the Apostle, who is believed to have attained martyrdom on St. Thomas Mount when he was assassinated here. A shrine dedicated to "Our Lady of Expectation" (Mother Mary) was built in 1523 at the top of the mount.
Father Gaspar Coelho, Vicar of the Church in Mylapore in 1545, records that Diego Fernandes, a Portuguese, built a small oratory on top of the hill over the foundation of a very ancient church in 1523 AD. The altar of this shrine was built on the spot where St. Thomas is believed to have died. This five-century-old shrine chapel has been renovated recently.
Since this oratory dedicated to the Mother of God was very small and since the number of pilgrims was constantly increasing, Father Coelho laid the foundation for a bigger church in 1547 and completed it within a year. It was then known as the Church of Our Lady of the Mount. Father Coelho, who built the church was also buried in it and there is an inscription over his grave at the entrance of the church.
In 1547, an excavation unearthed a stone cross with old inscriptions on it. The cross, reputed to have been chiseled by Apostle St Thomas himself, became known as the 'Bleeding Cross' as it has stains resembling blood stains which reappear even after being scrubbed off. The cross allegedly bleeds afresh periodically. It first "bled" publicly during a mass in 1558, the last recorded occasion being in 1704. St. Thomas supposedly clutched the cross in his last moments. When discovered, priests built the cross into the altar of the church along the wall where it has remained since.
History records that Christianity was brought to India by St Thomas. After the Death and Resurrection of Christ, Thomas became acquainted with Habban, a merchant. It was in Habban's company that Thomas reached Cranganore (Kodungallur) on the Malabar Coast of present day Kerala in 52 AD.
After building seven churches along the Malabar coast, St Thomas moved to the Coromandel coast on India's eastern seaboard. St Thomas is believed to have come to present day Chennai preaching the gospel to many. Preaching the gospel, he faced strong resistance. It is believed that he lived in a cave on a small hillock, which is now known as Little Mount (situated about 3 km from St. Thomas Mount).
Convicted for spreading Christianity in a Hindu dominated society, the legend goes that St. Thomas was attacked with a lance by a Brahmin, three kilometres away from Little Mount. Grievously injured in that attack, he passed on in 72 AD and the place where his body was found came to be known as St. Thomas Mount. His body which was recovered here was buried in Chapel Santhome that St. Thomas himself had built.
Thus the three punctuations of St. Thomas' itinerary in the city of Chennai – Little Mount, St Thomas Mount and Santhome are today venerated as places of spiritual energy. The huge Cathedral of St Thomas was erected later to entomb the Apostle's body. This Cathedral was elevated in 1956 to the status of a Basilica as a mark of honor to martyred St. Thomas.
Thomas' love for his master was profound and deep. He missed one of the first apparitions of the Risen Lord but was privileged to have a rich experience in faith at the feet of his Risen Master which moved him to exclaim My Lord, My God! These immortal words are spelt out in stone on the side of St Thomas Mount.
December 18 is the Annual Feast Day of this Shrine Chapel.
The closest suburban train station is St. Thomas Mount, just 2 kilometres away. An autorickshaw hired from this station can drop you off at the base of the hillock from where steps lead up to the church. The walk uphill is just about 10 - 15 minutes. 134 granite steps lead to the top of Saint Thomas Mount. An ornate arch constructed in 1726 stands at the foot of the steps. Along the sides of this stairway, fifteen Stations of the Cross are placed.
The church is also accessible to motor vehicles on a road that goes all the way to the top though the parking lot is at a point that necessitates a 5 minute climb on foot at the end. This road starts from an imposing welcome arch that serves as the main entrance to the mount.
A piece of a bone of St. Thomas casketed in a beautiful monstrance is placed in the church. The Adoration Chapel is open every day between 7am and 7pm.
An arch inside the church bears the Portuguese words: "Senhora da Expectacao" (Our Lady of Expectation) with the year of its construction 1523. A framed oil painting of St Thomas being pierced with a lance while praying on his knees adorns the wall behind the high altar.
On either side of the chancel are oil paintings depicting the twelve Apostles. Above the altar hangs an oil painting of The Madonna, considered to be one of the seven painted by St. Luke the Evangelist and brought to India by St.Thomas. This picture of the Madonna has been proclaimed the oldest Christian painting in India. These oil paintings are fine antique works of art that truly elevate the human spirit.
The silent stillness of the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel provides the ideal setting for contemplation and prayer. The Italian marble, the dim lighting, the antique hanging lamp and the Portuguese style ancient altar add to the sanctity of the Chapel.
Apart from the small yet magnificent Church itself, please do visit the Bell Tower, the Cross pillar, the huge old banyan tree and the fairly recent statue of Mother Theresa. And do not miss the breathtaking view from the Mount of Chennai airport and the city.
Absolutely the best time to visit the Mount is after 5pm when the Chennai heat is on the wane, the climb is easy and the evening lights offer a soul stirring view of the city at its best - its beauty at dusk highlighted, its sordidness in the daytime masked from view.
From the Mount at dusk, look within, look without, feel the breeze caress your face and play with your hair - discover calmness and serenity amidst mindless urban chaos...
Mass Timings:
Monday - Saturday (in Tamil) 6:30am, 12pm & 6pm
Sunday: 7am & 6pm (in Tamil), 12pm (in English)
Take a video tour of St. Thomas Mount church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El5C3Qux3Os
Apart from its religious and spiritual significance, St Thomas Mount also has a little known but critical link to the Survey of India - bearing testimony to this, a bronze bust of Col. William Lambton was installed here in 2003. Col. Lambton used a theodolite (a surveying instrument with a rotating telescope for measuring horizontal and vertical angles) and the raw courage of his band of men to succeed in one of the most monumental survey /mapping endeavours ever attempted - that of the Indian subcontinent!
In 1802 Lambton began the Great Trigonometrical Survey (GTS) from St Thomas Mount to measure and map the Indian subcontinent by measuring a 12-km long baseline near Madras (now Chennai). This baseline was needed to ensure the utmost accuracy in forming The Great Arc - a survey comprising a series of measurements running from India's North to South.
For the next 50 years, Lambton and his successor George Everest dedicated themselves to their stupendous task. They used the baseline to construct and measure a series of triangles. The survey team traversed the most hostile terrain, and even lost many lives! The triangulation system built by Everest also made it possible to discover the world's highest mountain, which quite appropriately was named after him.
To place the GTS in today's perspective: the Great Arc is the foundation on which the Survey of India continues to build. Quite fittingly, Chennai became home to India's first School of Survey, which later became the College of Engineering, Guindy.
The origin of this Church is traced to St. Thomas the Apostle, who is believed to have attained martyrdom on St. Thomas Mount when he was assassinated here. A shrine dedicated to "Our Lady of Expectation" (Mother Mary) was built in 1523 at the top of the mount.
Father Gaspar Coelho, Vicar of the Church in Mylapore in 1545, records that Diego Fernandes, a Portuguese, built a small oratory on top of the hill over the foundation of a very ancient church in 1523 AD. The altar of this shrine was built on the spot where St. Thomas is believed to have died. This five-century-old shrine chapel has been renovated recently.
Since this oratory dedicated to the Mother of God was very small and since the number of pilgrims was constantly increasing, Father Coelho laid the foundation for a bigger church in 1547 and completed it within a year. It was then known as the Church of Our Lady of the Mount. Father Coelho, who built the church was also buried in it and there is an inscription over his grave at the entrance of the church.
In 1547, an excavation unearthed a stone cross with old inscriptions on it. The cross, reputed to have been chiseled by Apostle St Thomas himself, became known as the 'Bleeding Cross' as it has stains resembling blood stains which reappear even after being scrubbed off. The cross allegedly bleeds afresh periodically. It first "bled" publicly during a mass in 1558, the last recorded occasion being in 1704. St. Thomas supposedly clutched the cross in his last moments. When discovered, priests built the cross into the altar of the church along the wall where it has remained since.
History records that Christianity was brought to India by St Thomas. After the Death and Resurrection of Christ, Thomas became acquainted with Habban, a merchant. It was in Habban's company that Thomas reached Cranganore (Kodungallur) on the Malabar Coast of present day Kerala in 52 AD.
After building seven churches along the Malabar coast, St Thomas moved to the Coromandel coast on India's eastern seaboard. St Thomas is believed to have come to present day Chennai preaching the gospel to many. Preaching the gospel, he faced strong resistance. It is believed that he lived in a cave on a small hillock, which is now known as Little Mount (situated about 3 km from St. Thomas Mount).
Convicted for spreading Christianity in a Hindu dominated society, the legend goes that St. Thomas was attacked with a lance by a Brahmin, three kilometres away from Little Mount. Grievously injured in that attack, he passed on in 72 AD and the place where his body was found came to be known as St. Thomas Mount. His body which was recovered here was buried in Chapel Santhome that St. Thomas himself had built.
Thus the three punctuations of St. Thomas' itinerary in the city of Chennai – Little Mount, St Thomas Mount and Santhome are today venerated as places of spiritual energy. The huge Cathedral of St Thomas was erected later to entomb the Apostle's body. This Cathedral was elevated in 1956 to the status of a Basilica as a mark of honor to martyred St. Thomas.
Thomas' love for his master was profound and deep. He missed one of the first apparitions of the Risen Lord but was privileged to have a rich experience in faith at the feet of his Risen Master which moved him to exclaim My Lord, My God! These immortal words are spelt out in stone on the side of St Thomas Mount.
December 18 is the Annual Feast Day of this Shrine Chapel.
The closest suburban train station is St. Thomas Mount, just 2 kilometres away. An autorickshaw hired from this station can drop you off at the base of the hillock from where steps lead up to the church. The walk uphill is just about 10 - 15 minutes. 134 granite steps lead to the top of Saint Thomas Mount. An ornate arch constructed in 1726 stands at the foot of the steps. Along the sides of this stairway, fifteen Stations of the Cross are placed.
The church is also accessible to motor vehicles on a road that goes all the way to the top though the parking lot is at a point that necessitates a 5 minute climb on foot at the end. This road starts from an imposing welcome arch that serves as the main entrance to the mount.
A piece of a bone of St. Thomas casketed in a beautiful monstrance is placed in the church. The Adoration Chapel is open every day between 7am and 7pm.
An arch inside the church bears the Portuguese words: "Senhora da Expectacao" (Our Lady of Expectation) with the year of its construction 1523. A framed oil painting of St Thomas being pierced with a lance while praying on his knees adorns the wall behind the high altar.
On either side of the chancel are oil paintings depicting the twelve Apostles. Above the altar hangs an oil painting of The Madonna, considered to be one of the seven painted by St. Luke the Evangelist and brought to India by St.Thomas. This picture of the Madonna has been proclaimed the oldest Christian painting in India. These oil paintings are fine antique works of art that truly elevate the human spirit.
The silent stillness of the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel provides the ideal setting for contemplation and prayer. The Italian marble, the dim lighting, the antique hanging lamp and the Portuguese style ancient altar add to the sanctity of the Chapel.
Apart from the small yet magnificent Church itself, please do visit the Bell Tower, the Cross pillar, the huge old banyan tree and the fairly recent statue of Mother Theresa. And do not miss the breathtaking view from the Mount of Chennai airport and the city.
Absolutely the best time to visit the Mount is after 5pm when the Chennai heat is on the wane, the climb is easy and the evening lights offer a soul stirring view of the city at its best - its beauty at dusk highlighted, its sordidness in the daytime masked from view.
From the Mount at dusk, look within, look without, feel the breeze caress your face and play with your hair - discover calmness and serenity amidst mindless urban chaos...
Mass Timings:
Monday - Saturday (in Tamil) 6:30am, 12pm & 6pm
Sunday: 7am & 6pm (in Tamil), 12pm (in English)
Take a video tour of St. Thomas Mount church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El5C3Qux3Os
Apart from its religious and spiritual significance, St Thomas Mount also has a little known but critical link to the Survey of India - bearing testimony to this, a bronze bust of Col. William Lambton was installed here in 2003. Col. Lambton used a theodolite (a surveying instrument with a rotating telescope for measuring horizontal and vertical angles) and the raw courage of his band of men to succeed in one of the most monumental survey /mapping endeavours ever attempted - that of the Indian subcontinent!
In 1802 Lambton began the Great Trigonometrical Survey (GTS) from St Thomas Mount to measure and map the Indian subcontinent by measuring a 12-km long baseline near Madras (now Chennai). This baseline was needed to ensure the utmost accuracy in forming The Great Arc - a survey comprising a series of measurements running from India's North to South.
For the next 50 years, Lambton and his successor George Everest dedicated themselves to their stupendous task. They used the baseline to construct and measure a series of triangles. The survey team traversed the most hostile terrain, and even lost many lives! The triangulation system built by Everest also made it possible to discover the world's highest mountain, which quite appropriately was named after him.
To place the GTS in today's perspective: the Great Arc is the foundation on which the Survey of India continues to build. Quite fittingly, Chennai became home to India's first School of Survey, which later became the College of Engineering, Guindy.
Written July 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fjp4564
Sunshine Coast654 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
This is another must place to visit for Tourists to Chennai. There is a lot of history in this church and below the altar area, there is the tomb of St Thomas who visited India in the first century AD. Quite an imposing and impresive building in european architecture and design. There is also an museum housing some important relics from the bygone years. Very important place for Indian Catholics
Written May 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gan Y
Singapore545 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
Chennai is the city you should visit to explore St Thomas Mount where Thomas the Apostle died here in 72 AD. A flight of stairs to the peak of the hillock lets tourists experience an unforgettable spiritual experience.
Written April 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pratiknruparel
Calgary, Canada614 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
This is the hidden gem. the place is situated near the same named Local Railway Station. very easy to reach by an autorikshaw. one side we can see the beautiful picture square view of Chnnai skylines and other side Chennai Kamraj International Airport ! Really a superb place to visit !
Written April 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PadrePeter
Campanillas188 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
Set on a hill overlooking Chennai, the area is a strange mixture of Catholicism and American Evangelicalism. There is the usual clutter of shops selling holy souvenirs, but the main building is rather disappointing. There is, however, a very fine statue of Pope John Paul II.
Written March 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pratik G
Surat, India46 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
this is place which allows to see the Chennai heights...
one side lies entire city : skyline view... which is indeeed damn awesome...
n second sight gives you view of Chennai magnificient airport...
n mind well untill i visited this place, i dint know how much busy was Chennai airport...
every 10 or max 15 minutes lands / takes off 1 flight...
in amidst of these two view point lies Church full of calmness ...
for conveyance, u can easily get local buses from T.mayur... n even local train ( which run within chennai) has stop with same name... but its bit far from this place... so either bus... or private taxi is only advisable...
one side lies entire city : skyline view... which is indeeed damn awesome...
n second sight gives you view of Chennai magnificient airport...
n mind well untill i visited this place, i dint know how much busy was Chennai airport...
every 10 or max 15 minutes lands / takes off 1 flight...
in amidst of these two view point lies Church full of calmness ...
for conveyance, u can easily get local buses from T.mayur... n even local train ( which run within chennai) has stop with same name... but its bit far from this place... so either bus... or private taxi is only advisable...
Written March 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Скажите, как от аэропорта Ченнай добраться до горы святого Фомы?
Written December 19, 2017
I am aware the St Thomas Shrine produces lovely postcards.I had received a few of them earlier.I am asking if anyone knows a reliable person to send me the postcards.I can make all payments via Paypal.I need a steady source so please negotiate fairly.By doing this good act many people will come to know of this Sepulcre
Written February 21, 2017
Just go out on the web and search for " san thome church " and you'll find it. We can't post a website here.. but that will get you there. A wikipedia search for "St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai" will have a list of resources along the right side with a link to the site.
Written March 11, 2017
Tam R
New York City, New York
Thank you for your answers to visit St ThomasMount...
May I ask same question>visit
*Malayatoor Church)from CoChin
COK airport,if doable?..
If not OK,any religious church site nearby?...
Any info,direct link*buy*0nline
Prepaid airport Taxi for both Chennai MAA and COK Cochin?...
What is reasonable costs to pay
? Thank you kindly...
Written August 16, 2016
I am sorry, I cannot give you information about Kochi (Cochin) as I have not visited.
Written August 28, 2016
Tam R
New York City, New York
HELLO, !!! My question, re:St Thomas National Shrine,
1. How many minutes driving by taxi to the top of the hill, where the Shrine
2. Entrance fee, one person
3. Is it open from 4pm to 5 pm in mid-OCTOBER 2016 ?
4. and MOST important is my 3 HOUR lay-over , enough time?
THANK YOU KINDLY in advance for prompt answer/ concerns
Written August 12, 2016
can you reach the shrine by car?
Written March 17, 2015
You can reach the top of the hill by car, taxi, tuctuc. Then you have to take a dozen steps till you reach the chapel.
Written April 25, 2016
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