Sight Seeing in Various South Indian Cities - Chennai

ST. THOMAS MOUNT: Built in 1523 by the Portugese, a small relic-filled Church stands at the summit of the 300 foot high St. Thomas Mount. This is the site where Saint Thomas (apostle of Jesus Christ) was said to be killed. Among the relics is the 'bleeding Cross' believed to have been made by the saint himself. Above the altar is a painting of the Madonna considered to be the work of St. Luke. A flight of 160 steps leads up to the summit of the Mount.

ST. MARY'S IN THE FORT: Visitors to St. Mary's Church will be reminded of the men who built Madras (now Chennai) and also of the institutions they gave to the city. This Church, often described as the Westminster Abbey of the East, is the oldest British building in Chennai and also the first Anglican Church built in Asia. St. Mary's Church was built largely from personal donations. Excavations for the Church building began in the Fort St. George premises, during Governor Streynsham's tenure and its construction was completed in 1679. The Church was christened St. Mary's as its foundation was laid on the Annunciation day of the Virgin Mary (the feast observed by Christians to mark the day when Mary was told of God's plan that she would be Mother of Jesus). The original building, which William Dixon built and Edward Fowle embellished, was a rectangular structure in brick and polished in lime, with a bomb-proof, curved roof. Some of the later additions to the building include the Sanctuary, Steeple (1710), Tower (1701) and the Vestry. The Spire to the Church was added in 1795 and was designed by Colonel Gent. The interior of the Church has beautiful wooden work and stained glass arches. In 1985, artisans, from Karaikudi, undertook a major restoration work.

The altarpiece - a huge painting of The Last Supper drawn by an unknown artist, is only one of the attractions to the visitors. The tombstones, memorial tablets on the six detached pillars and the Church Records bring back memories of the city's past. The Church also has the earliest register of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials in the country. The Visitors Book, dating from 1903-1947, is also an interesting piece from the past. St. Mary's started as a Church of the first congregation, then became the Governors congregation. Later it became a Garrison Church and today it remains a monument protected by the Archaeological Survey Of India.

GURU NANAK SAT SANGH SABHA: Established in 1949 by Lieutenant Colonel Gill, (former Director General of Prisons) the Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha helps to establish social, cultural and spiritual contact among Sikhs in Chennai. The original structure of the Gurudwara was pulled down and a new one built in its place a few years ago. Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Arjan Dev's birthdays and Bai Sakhi (New Year in the Sikh calendar) are occasions for Sikh families in the city to come together to pray and fraternise. Teachings from the Guru Granth Sahib (the Holy Book of the Sikhs) are read. A free langhar (community kitchen) called Guru ka Langhar is run at the Gurudwara. In a langhar all are treated as equals, regardless of whether they are rich or poor. There is also a free medical centre, which provides health care to the poor. Every Sunday the congregation participates in poojas, kirthans and the langhar. There are also prayer services in the morning and evening. Daily prayer starts with recitation from the Granth Sahib, after which kirthans are sung.