St Thomas Trail in Chennai by Wonder tours
Description
Listen to guided commentary as you travel detailing the influence footsteps of St. Thomas had on the city and the country of India as a whole between AD52 and AD72.Learn about the history of Christianity in Chennai through visits to local religious landmarks such as the cave in the Little Mount, the handprints of St. Thomas, St. Thomas Mount, and the St. Thome Basilica.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Santhome Basilica, Little Mount and St Thomas Mount
This soaring Roman Catholic cathedral, a stone's throw from the beach, was founded by the Portuguese in 1523, then rebuilt by the British in neo-Gothic style in 1896, and is said to mark the final resting place of St Thomas the Apostle. It's believed 'Doubting Thomas' brought Christianity to the subcontinent in AD 52 and was killed at St Thomas Mount, Chennai, in AD 72. Although most of St Thomas' mortal remains now apparently lie in Italy, a cross on the tomb wall contains a tiny bone fragment marked 'Relic of St Thomas'. The museum above displays Thomas-related artefacts including the lancehead believed to have killed him. St Thomas' Pole, at the beach end of the street on the cathedral's south side, is said to have miraculously saved the cathedral from the 2004 tsunami.
Little Mount is a cave in which St.Thomas hid in AD 68 and did penance. There is an opening to the east of the cave through which St.Thomas escaped when his pursuers caught up with him here. The palm print and hand print near the tunnel’s entrance are believed to be those of St.Thomas himself. We will also see the masonry cross cut at the top of the hill which is believed to be the cross before which St.Thomas prayed. Another interesting aspect of this cave is the spring inside the hill which is perennial and is supposed to be the miraculous creation of the St. Thomas himself.
The reputed site of St Thomas’ martyrdom in AD 72 rises in the southwest of Chennai, 2.5km north of St Thomas Mount train station and metro station. The Church of Our Lady of Expectation, built atop the 'mount' by the Portuguese in 1523, contains what are supposedly a fragment of Thomas’ finger bone and the 'Bleeding Cross' he carved. The city and airport views are wonderful.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(12)
It was a great experience. My guide, Rajesh was very polite and is knowledgable of the locations. I managed to even attend the mass at the Tomb of St Thomas (although that take a bit more time). I also was able to be inside the cave at the Mount of St Thomas where St Thomas prayed. Then we ended it at the St Thomas Basilica where the blood of St Thomas was spilled. I was able to touch it and say my prayers. It was well worth it.
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your St.Thomas tour. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
St Thomas tour which we booked was the unique tour in chennai. Our guide showed us the places where St Thomas was lived and prayed.
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your tour. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
Awesome tour with our guide rajesh.He showed the places where saint Thomas traveled in Chennai.He was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your tour. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
Unique experience with our guide Rajesh.He explained well about entry of Christianity to India.I definitely recommend him.
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your tour. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
Positive: Close to points to see, driver very available, very friendly guide and knew how to adapt his English (rhythm...) to our level of language. Medium: lunch (too spicy), we regretted not being able to get close to the source that we could see from a distance through a gap in the rock Negative: too expensive for what there was to see
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your tour. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
We visited the places where St.thomas lived.Our guide Nanda gopal done the fantastic job and he is so friendly and knowledgeable.
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your tour. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
This is one of the best and unique tour in chennai.our guide rajesh done the fabulous job by explaining the st.thomas stayed places.
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your ST.Thomas tour. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
This is one of the unique your in Chennai. We visited the footprints of St Thomas in India. Our guide nanda done fabulous job.
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your St.Thomas trail. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
Great tour and the guide was superb. He was friendly and very knowledgeable. Really enjoyed the tour and learnt a lot from him.
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your ST.Thomas tour. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
Awesome tour with our guide nanda Gopalan.This is one of the unique tour with our guide ,following the foot steps of St.Thomas.
Hi We are happy that you enjoyed your Chennai tour. It was our pleasure to hosting you. We are doing Multi-day tours in North and South India.We are waiting to do more tours with you and it definitely gives you a Wonderful experience. Cheers, The Wonder tours
