Towering tall amidst Chennai’s exquisite skyline with the waves of the Indian Ocean as the backdrop, the sacred Santhome Basilica is indeed a remarkable structure in Southern India. It is holy in every sense of the word and you can experience a soothing spiritual tranquillity from the moment you walk past its doors. The bustle of Chennai’s typicaly busy streets fades away and you are transported to a new world, where peace and religion merge.Designed in a Gothic style, the spire itself towers to a height of 155 feet. It is believed to hold the bone of the great St. Thomas who is said to have arrived in India in the year 52 AD. This great saint spent most of his first years on the west coast of the nation and later travelled to India’s southern parts. In this city he was martyred and his followers buried him in the place where the Santhome Cathedral now stands. Marco Polo first wrote of this place. When the Portuguese took over India they made it a point to commemorate this location and constructed a church in 1523.
This sacred location was a treasured place for Christians but slowly time started to take its toll on the church to such an extent that by the 1800s it was in dire need of renovation. That was when the current structure was designed. In 1893 the old structure was completely demolished and a brand new building was constructed. The strikingly remarkable features in the church are the beautiful spires. The second short spire is the one that stands above the tomb of the saint. The tomb can be accessed outside the site and attracts hundreds of devout pilgrims who pay their respects and worship at the church. In the year 1956 it was given the title ‘Minor Basilica’. Also found within the site is a museum which was constructed in honour of the great St. Thomas. This houses invaluable remains from that era and gives in-depth information of this great saint of Christianity.
Chennai has a wealth of cultural and religious attractions that you can visit. You can choose from the many serviced apartments Chennai has to offer as you explore this city. Stay at Somerset Greenways Chennai, one of the finest of Chennai service apartments that let you experience this city at its best.
