San Thome Basilica Mylapore

Nearly 2000 years ago a reluctant apostle was sent to an unknown destination to spread the word of God and this particular apostle who plays a significant role in bringing to reality the resurrection of our Lord was none other than Thomas Didymus. Thomas is mentioned as one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus himself in Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15. Though he was called “Thomas the twin” there is no credible mention about whose twin he was.

Although little is known about his lineage, Thomas ‘s presence in the Gospel is finely etched. His loyalty and steadfastness is portrayed in John 11:16 when he says “Let us all go, that we may die with him” his humility, clean hearted and straight forward approach is portrayed in John 14:5 when after failing to understand Jesus’s teaching about his death and resurrection he raises a doubt “We do not know wither though goest. How can we know the way? Leading to Jesus’s concise revelation “I am the way, The Truth and the Life”. Finally in being the only disciple who was absent when the risen Jesus appeared before his co-disciples, he became the chosen one by divine providence to ratify the resurrection of Jesus, by representing every common man in insisting with childish persistence that his belief lay in his touching the wounds of Christ. Jesus’s response to this universal doubt addressed to all doubting Thomases in John 20: 27 “Put your finger here and look at my hands, Then stretch out your hand and put it in my side. Stop doubting and believe” put to rest all speculations about his resurrection. That was not all, what followed provided the much needed comfort to future believers when Jesus said “How happy are those who believe without seeing me”. Thomas confessed his faith “My Lord and My God” and lived to fulfill it to the last word by his martyrdom. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another resurrection appearance of Jesus – at the miraculous catch of fish on lake Tiberias.

A vast majority of early writings point to thomas’s apostolic ministry in India specifically Cranganore along the Malabar coast from 52 A.D to 68 A.D. His journey through Kerala resulted in numerous conversions. After spending 10 years on the Malabar coast he is said to have traveled Eastwards across the Deccan Plateau, Arriving in Mylapore in 68 A.D. The cave at little mount used to be his favourite preaching spot. A 2000 years old never drying, miraculous stream of water on rock face is a shining example of the apostle’s divine (overtures) exploits. Thomas, is said to have struck the dry mountain rock and water trickled out as a small stream. 2000 years have passed by and even unto this day this infinite source of water is quenching the thirst and curing illness of millions of faithful pilgrims and devotees. The church atop St. Thomas mount was built by Portuguese in 1547 to mark the spot here. It was on this St. Thomas mount that the apostle was killed by a lance which pierced through his backside. A blood stained cross which the apostle is said to have been clutching during his martyrdom would bleed annually on 18th day of December commencing 1551 through the years to 1704.

St Thomas Mount Chennai

Thomas called the Twin was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. His attachment to his Master was so deep and so authentic that he dynamited his companions "Let us also go with him and die with him" Perhaps he envisaged to accompany his Master to the Mount of Calvary but his Master accompanied him to another Mount in Chennai, India to die for Him and to live for Him in the faith of the generations of this country!

He missed one of the first apparitions of the Risen Lord but he was privileged to have a rich faith experience and personal encounter at the feet of his Risen Master when he exclaimed the immortal profession of faith and surrender: My Lord and My God!

It is a well known historical fact that Christianity was first introduced into India by St Thomas. After the Death and Resurrection of Christ, Thomas became acquainted with Habban, a merchant of king Gondophare of India. It was in the company of this merchant that Thomas landed at Cranganore on the Malabar Coast of present day Kerala in 52 A.D.

After building seven churches on this coast, St Thomas crossed over to Coromandel Coast of India's eastern seaboard and enriched the southern part of India with the seeds of the Gospel in a land that had never known what this Gospel of salvation was. It was a hard fight which made him to go into hiding in the Little Mount. When at last he reached the Parangi Malai (present St Thomas Mount), perhaps he found that this place was better suited for his life of solitude and prayer. But that very spot and that very moment of prayer were sealed and sanctified when he became a libation for the Gospel in the year 72 A.D.

His mortal remains were shifted to Santhome where the huge Basilica of St Thomas was erected later to entomb the Apostle's body. Thus the three punctuations of his itinerary in the city of Chennai – Little Mount, St Thomas Mount and Santhome – became places of spiritual energy in the years to come.

Velankanni : Mother Mary Church

Vailankanni is fondly known as the 'Lourdes of the East' because like Lourdes in France, millions of pilgrims visit the Shrine throughout the year, praying to Our Lady for various needs and thanking her for the favors received through her intercession. Tradition recounts that Mother Mary appeared with the Infant Jesus in this small hamlet at the end of the 16th or in the early 17th century. Ever since, Vailankanni is the most important destination and almost the synthesis of all Marian Sanctuaries for the pilgrims of the world. The crowds of pilgrims come here regardless of creeds and languages. Our Lady of Vailankanni devotions down through the centuries have proved the Shrine to be of divine origin and has assumed international character. Mary, the focus of unity at Vailankanni, is a clear proof of international, multicultural, and religious harmony.

MADHURA MEENAKSHI TEMPLE

Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple is located at a distance of 8 km from the centre of Madurai city. A rock-cut temple carved out of the mountain is considered as one of the abodes of Lord Murugan.

Built in 8th century by Pandya King, the shrine in the temple is cut out of a solid rock. The temple houses shrines of Lord Subramanya, Lord Shiva, Lord Vinayaka, Goddess Durga, Lord Vishnu and other deities.

There are number of cubical pillars with lotus medallions at the entrance of temple. The temple has innumerable cave shrines that are small and approached through narrow dark passages. The inscriptions on the chamber walls are believed to date back to the early medieval period.

The temple is a place from where sun and moon can be seen together at different times of the day. This temple is considered holy for conducting marriages, as it is believed that marriage of Lord Subramanya was celebrated in this temple.

VELANKANNI

Velankanni is a small holy town located in Nagapattinam. Located 12 km to the south, this town sits on the Coromandel Coast in Tamil Nadu. The most significant place at Velankanni is the Shrine of Virgin Mary which is dedicated to the Madonna of Velankanni often called Our Lady of Health.

Velankanni is a Parish or a Panchayat Town in the district of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu. This small town shares its borders with Bay of Bengal and is easily reached from Chennai. This is situated to the south of Chennai at the distance of 350 km.

MAHABALIPURAM

Mahabalipuram is a tourist destination situated in Tamil Nadu, which has many beautiful places. It is known for its historical monuments, sculptures, scenic beauty, culture and tradition. Mahabalipuram is placed along the Coromandel Coast facing the Bay of Bengal. It is an attractive tourist spot.

CHIDAMBARAM TEMPLE

Nataraja Temple is the main temple of Chidambaram, which is dedicated to the Nataraja or the dancing posture of Lord Shiva. This temple is located in the heart of the town and has undergone numerous renovations under the reign of Chola and Pallava kings. In 1213 AD, Aragalur Udaya Iraratevan Ponparappinan rebuilt some of the parts of this temple.

The Nataraja Temple is known for its attractive gopurams, carvings, five mandapams and inscriptions. Built during the 10th century by Chola Kings, this temple is known for huge walls, four tall shikharas in four directions and a big Sivagangai tank. The four tall shikharas are decorated with 108 carved dance postures of Natya Shastra.

There are five main principle sabhas in this temple, which are known as Chit Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Deva Sabha, Nritya Sabha and Raja Sabha. The main idol of Lord Shiva or Nataraja resides in the Chit Sabha.

BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE

Brihadeshwar temple or the Big temple is the prime attraction of Thanjavur. Brihadeshwar temple was built in the early 11th century by Rajaraja Chola I. The temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture in granite. Brihadeshwar temple, known also as Rajarajesvaram, is one of the well preserved Heritage Sites in Tamil Nadu. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a 2.7 m high Shivalinga, which is about 7 m in diameter. The construction which encloses sanctum sanctorum is known by the name 'Periya Kovil' or the ‘Big temple’. The 70 m high ‘Vimana’ of the temple is built in such an architectural precision, that its shadow never falls outside itself. The Shikharam, which weighs about81.25 tons, is carved out of a single stone. Brihadeshwar temple also features a massive idol of Nandi (bull), the mount of Lord Shiva. This idol, which weighs about 25 tons, has a height of about 3.6 m, length of 5.94 m and a width of 5.56 m. This idol is seated in ‘Nayak Mandapam’, which is decorated with intricate carvings. The ceiling of this mandapam is noted for its 1000 year old frescoes. Portraits of Sevappanayakan and his son Achyutappa Nayak (the early Nayak rulers) can also be seen on the front pillars of Nandi Mandapam

Though Cuddalore was heavily affected by the tidal waves of the 2004 tsunami, the city with its indomitable spirit has swung back into action. Cuddalore is connected to other parts of Tamil Nadu through a very good rail and road network.

AGNITHEERTHAM

Agnitheertham, holding religious significance for Hindus, is situated at a distance of 100 metres from the Ramanathaswamy Temple. This place is located towards the east of the main entrance of the temple and is a suitable place for bathing. The water in Agnitheertham is considered to be sacred and many pilgrims perform pooja at this seashore for honouring their ancestors.

As per legend, it is believed that Agnitheertham is the spot where Lord Rama offered his prayers to Lord Shiva, after killing Ravana. Shiva devotees across the globe take a holy dip in the Agnitheertham for washing away their sins. The visit to the Ramanathaswamy Temple is often preceded by a bath at this spot.