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St Thomas: Exploring the Christian Heritage in Chennai
4.6
11 Ratings
Chennai
Hear enlightening narratives as you journey, outlining the impactful trail left by St. Thomas in the city and across India from AD52 to AD72. Gain insights on the evolution of Christianity in Chennai by exploring esteemed religious sites like the cavern in the Little Mount, the hand imprints of St. Thomas, St. Thomas Mount, and the St. Thome Basilica.
Hear enlightening narratives as you journey, outlining the impactful trail left by St. Thomas in the city and across India from AD52 to AD72. Gain insights on the evolution of Christianity in Chennai by exploring esteemed religious sites like the cavern in the Little Mount, the hand imprints of St. Thomas, St. Thomas Mount, and the St. Thome Basilica.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Wonder tours and travels - Santhome Basilica, Little Mount and St Thomas Mount
- San Thome Church - 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…
- Wonder tours and travels - Santhome Basilica, Little Mount and St Thomas Mount
-
San Thome Church - 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 Shrine - 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.
- St. Thomas Mount National Shrine - 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.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Pick up and drop from all hotels in Chennai
- Full time Guide
- Lunch
- Other
- Private transportation
- Pick up and drop from all hotels in Chennai
- Full time Guide
- Lunch
- Other
What's Not Included
- Drinks
- Drinks
Location
Wonder tours and travels
86th Street
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(11 Ratings)
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Lanisd2025
Oct 28, 2025
Awesome experience - Awesome tour with our guide rajesh.He showed the places where saint Thomas traveled in Chennai.He was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q2343xcmarkd
Oct 17, 2025
Great experience - Unique experience with our guide Rajesh.He explained well about entry of Christianity to India.I definitely recommend him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnwo2073mf
Aug 16, 2025
Fabulous job - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X757fbmarkk
Jul 18, 2025
Great - This is one of the unique your in Chennai. We visited the footprints of St Thomas in India. Our guide nanda done fabulous job.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davidmy3243qr
Jun 20, 2025
Awesome tour - Great tour and the guide was superb.
He was friendly and very knowledgeable.
Really enjoyed the tour and learnt a lot from him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E7497iewilliams
May 8, 2025
Unique tour - Awesome tour with our guide nanda Gopalan.This is one of the unique tour with our guide ,following the foot steps of St.Thomas.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K8851lgmikej
Apr 15, 2025
Great experience - This is one of the unique tour with our guide Nanda.We visited the places where the footprints of St.Thomas inn Chennnai.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Companion55214875785
Nov 19, 2025
Unique experience - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stay64672052006
Sep 18, 2025
Good job - We visited the places where St.thomas lived.Our guide Nanda gopal done the fantastic job and he is so friendly and knowledgeable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roberte_c
Oct 7, 2025
Positive: Proximity to... - 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
Review provided by Viator
