Discover the influence of Western religious traditions in India on this small-group tour of Chennai’s many churches. Your expert guide will provide interesting and informative commentary, showing you the differences between Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant churches and revealing rich stories behind their inception in this region. Walk inside awe-inspiring structures like St Andrew’s Church, San Thome Cathedral and Luz Church, among others.
Highlights
- Small-group tour of Chennai’s churches and basilicas
- With your expert guide, discover the development of Western religious traditions in India
- Visit 16th-century classical European churches like San Thome Cathedral and Luz Church
- Learn about important community contributions of these churches and about how Christianity adapted to local traditions and practices
- Enjoy comfortable transport around the city by air-conditioned coach
- Small-group tour limited to 10 people ensures an enlightening experience
Recent Photos of this Tour
Small-Group Tour: Chennai’s Churches and Basilicas
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Steeple Chase.JPGStaircase inside the Armenian Church leading up to the bell towerPhoto by: Anonymous
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Steeple Chase 2.JPGArmenian Church in ChennaiPhoto by: Anonymous
10 2012 -
Steeple ChaseLearning about Christianity in ChennaiPhoto by: Anonymous
10 2012 -
Steeple ChaseTablet from the Luz ChurchPhoto by: Anonymous
10 2012 -
What You Can Expect
San Thome Cathedral
After meeting your guide at a central Chennai location, you will be given juice and bottled water for you to enjoy during the tour. Then, hop aboard a comfortable air-conditioned coach and tour Chennai to discover the origin of Christianity in India, which is traced back to the Apostle of
St Thomas, who was believed to have attained martyrdom in Chennai.
Head to the small hillock of St Thomas Mount, a quaint, beautiful church built in the 1500s by the Portuguese. Continue to Church of Our Lady of Light, more commonly known as Luz Church. Learn from your guide how this is one of the oldest Christian churches and European monuments in India.
Continue to San Thome Cathedral, a pilgrimage center for Christians designed in 16th-century European architectural style. Notice the Gothic arches and Baroque ornamentation of the gilded altars and ceilings decorated with fresco paintings.
Head to the small hillock of St Thomas Mount, a quaint, beautiful church built in the 1500s by the Portuguese. Continue to Church of Our Lady of Light, more commonly known as Luz Church. Learn from your guide how this is one of the oldest Christian churches and European monuments in India.
Continue to San Thome Cathedral, a pilgrimage center for Christians designed in 16th-century European architectural style. Notice the Gothic arches and Baroque ornamentation of the gilded altars and ceilings decorated with fresco paintings.
Next, tour 17th-century Armenian Church, which served the then-thriving Armenian community in Chennai, before heading to nearby St Mary's Church, an important relic and reminder of British influence in India. Admire the intricate design and see various commemorative inscriptions and memorials.
Finally, visit St Andrew’s Church, a Presbyterian church built to serve the area's Scottish community. Learn about how its design is modeled after St Martin-in-the-Fields at London’s Trafalgar Square.
After your enlightening and fascinating tour, head back to your original departure point.
After your enlightening and fascinating tour, head back to your original departure point.
Please note: Some of these churches, like the St Mary's Church, may be closed to the public on certain days without prior notice. On such days, the tour will not be going into that church
