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St. Thomas Mount in Chennai located on a hillock near the flying range in Chennai, is a famous pilgrimage site where St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ, is said to have been martyred. Locally popular as - Peria Malai - or - Firangi Malai - , St. Thomas Mount also has a Church built by the Portuguese in 1523. This 300 foot high St. Thomas Mount in Chennai in India, also is considered to be sacred because Pope John Paul II came here on 5th February 1986. History says that St. Thomas, who preached Christianity, stepped in South India in 52 AD and was killed by a shot of an arrow in 72 AD by his enemies. This hillock pays tribute to St. Thomas Mount where the apostle prayed ever evening.
Features of St. Thomas Mount in Chennai
- A shrine dedicated to - Our Lady of Expectation - can also be spotted on top of the mount, which was constructed built on the site of St. Thomas' martyrdom.
- There are four magnificent arches topped by a cross at the northern foot of the mount which can be climbed by a flight of 160 steps.
- You will also have to bypass fourteen Stations of the Cross while walking your way upto the summit.
- In 1547, a stone cross with old Sassanid Pahlavi inscriptions on it, was excavated from the wall with the altar of the church. St. Thomas is believed to have grabbed the before his death.
- You will spot an oil painting of Madonna above the altar of the church in St. Thomas Mount in Chennai. The painting is said to have been done by St.Luke the Evangelist and brought to India by St. Thomas.
- You can visit St. Thomas Mount in Chennai during the Festival of Our Lady of Expectation on 18th December and the Saint Thomas day on 3rd of July.
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