About St. Thomas Mount
St. Thomas Mount is a small hillock and Catholic shrine located in St. Thomas Mount, southwest Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is traditionally associated with St. Thomas the Apostle and houses the 16th-century Shrine of Our Lady of Expectation built by the Portuguese in 1523. The hill rises about 91 metres, is reached by 134 stone steps, and offers panoramic views of Chennai city and the airport.
Visitors guide
Visitors can climb 134 granite steps to the summit shrine, see the historic chapel, the relic known as the Bleeding Cross of St. Thomas carved on the rock, and statues and prayer halls. The hilltop offers panoramic views of Chennai, including the airport runway and city skyline. The surroundings are relatively quiet with tree cover, a small parking area at the base, and a peaceful pilgrimage atmosphere.
Key highlights
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National Shrine of St. Thomas - Shrine of Our Lady of Expectation built in 1523 by Portuguese
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Bleeding Cross of St. Thomas carved by the Apostle on rock inside the shrine
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Climb of 134 steps to the hilltop summit at about 91 metres elevation
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Panoramic viewpoint overlooking Chennai city and Chennai International Airport
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Historic chapel with relics, altar and religious artwork associated with St. Thomas the Apostle
History of St. Thomas Mount
Traditionally believed to be the site where St. Thomas the Apostle, who arrived in South India in 52 AD, prayed and was martyred in 72 AD. A chapel was first built by Portuguese missionaries in 1523 on the hilltop and later rebuilt and expanded. The rock-carved cross known as the Bleeding Cross is preserved as a relic within the shrine.
Culture & Context
An important Catholic pilgrimage centre and National Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Expectation and St. Thomas the Apostle. It is revered by Christians in Tamil Nadu and visited by pilgrims of various faiths, especially around the feast of St. Thomas in July and during Christmas and Easter observances.
Route
| By air |
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