Temples |
Churches
| Gurudwara
| Mosques
| Jain
Temple | Bahai
Centre
Temples
Kapaleswarar Temple
Not far from Triplicane, in Mylapore, there
is yet another 8th Century Pallava Temple. The temple 'Gopuram'
(tower) is in the characteristic Dravidian style of architecture.
Dedicated to Lord Siva, this temple has some most beautiful
sculptures, along with the bronze idols of 63 Saivaite Saints
(Nayanmars) which adorn the outer courtyard are rare specimens.
Also is the courtyard under the old Punnai tree is a small
shrine depicting Goddess Parvathi in the form of a Peacock,
worshipping Lord Shiva. It is from this legend that Mylapore
derived its name - ''Myil" meaning peacock and 'Oor' meaning
town. Mylapore swarms with life during the Arubathumoovar
festival that is held in March-April every year.
At Mylapore. Ph:4941670
Vadapalani Temple
Brought to life 125 years ago, the Vadapalani
Andavar temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga. Renowned for bringing
to gether people, this temple conducts about 7,000 weddings
anually.
Near NSK Salai, at Vadapalani Ph: 4836903
Sri Parthasarathy Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
The temple was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th
centuary AD. Though additions were later made to it by the
Chola and Vijayanagara Kings.
At Triplicane. Ph: 844168
Kali Bari Temple
Thronged by Bengalis, this is a replica of
the famed Kalighata Temple in Calcutta. 32, Umapathy St. (Extn.)
West Mambalam33. Ph: 4837170
Mangadu Temple
Famed for the idol of the Goddess. Goddess
Parvati is portrayed performing one of her many penances -
standing on the leg over the five fires with a visage showing
perfect serenity. 23 kms from the heart of the city. Between
Iyyappanthangal & Poonamallee.
Ashtalakshmi Temple
This new temple (1976) is one of the three
shore temples open to worship on the east coast. It is dedicated
to Godess Mahalakshmi in her eight forms. On Elliots Beach,
Besant Nagar.
Churches
San Thome Cathedral Basilica
San Thome at the southern
end of Marina derives its name from St Thomas, the apostle
of Christ who is believed to have come to Madras sometime
during 52 AD. He was killed on St Thomas Mount just outside
the city in 78 AD. and was interned in San Thome beach where
a church was later built. Several years later, another church
was built further inland and his mortal remains were transferred
from the old church to the new one. In 1606 the church was
rebuilt as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica.
The beautiful stained glass window at the basilica portrays
the story of St Thomas and the central hall has 14 wooden
plaques depicting scenes from the last days of Christ. In
the cathedral is a 3ft. high statue of Virgin Mary which is
believed to have been brought from Portugal in 1543.
On the southern end of Marina Beach. Ph: 8545444
St John's Church
This church built in 1812
has louvre doors which open to convert it into airy pavilion
and is located near the Theppakulam.
St Mary's Church
St. Mary's Church the oldest
Anglican church in India built in 1680 and the tombstones
in it's courtyard are the oldest British tombstones in India.
This ancient prayer house solemnised the marriages of Robert
Clive and Governor Elihu Yale, who later founded the Yale
University in the U.S.A.
In Fort St.George.
C.S.I. Holy Cross Church
More than 120 years old, it
was originally called the Perambur Railway Church, when it
was under the railway authorities. It earlier had a pre dominantly
Anglo-Indian congregation though now there are also families
from other southern states.
16, Siruvalluvur Rd, Chennai-11.
St. George's Cathedral
A striking piece of architecture,
the St. George's Cathedral was built in 1815. It has a towering
45m spire and lonic columns. The highlight of this Cathedral
is the graveyard just adjacent to it with its guard rail made
up of war emblems - muskets, bayonets etc. - of the capture
of Srirangapatnam in 1799.
224, Cathedral Rd-86. Ph : 8262740
Velankanni Church
This church is in honour of
Our Lady of Health, the Madonna of Velankanni. Smaller in
scale than the original one at Velankanni (near Nagapattinam)
the devoted believe in the miraculous curative powers of the
Madonna.
Elliots Beach, Chennai-90. Ph : 4911246
Mosques
Big
Mosque
Hidden
behind the modern buildings on Triplicane High Road, this
renowned place of worship for muslims, built in 1795, is a
marvellous granite structure. On Triplicane High Rd.
Thousand
Lights Mosque
Close
to the Anna flyover on Mount Road lies this mosque on 3 acres
of land. Renovated a couple of times this century, it has
two tall minarets and a separate place of worship for women.
On Mount Rd.
Gurudwara
Sri
Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha
Sri
Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha is re-markable for its serene ambience.
127-A, G.N.Chetty Rd-17. Ph: 8268509
Jain
Temple
A striking contrast
to the rock hewn temples of Tamilnadu is the Jain temple.
The two-tiered, 70' high temple is built of lime-and-soapstone
and marble giving it a dazzling appearance.
G.N.Chetty Rd-17. Ph
: 8251779
Bahai
Centre
Another place
of worship though not as well known as its lotus-shaped counter
part in Delhi. A place of solemnity, sobriety and peace.
9, Sarangapani St., T.Nagar-17. Ph : 8264296
