#KnowYourCity, #KnowYourChennai- Magnificent Churches of Chennai City - Part- 2 - Luz Church, Mylapore, Chennai

1.  Commonly referred to as the ‘Church of Our Lady of Light,’ the Luz Church was built by the Portuguese in the year 1516. 
2. Though it was renovated under the British rule, the architecture that we see at present has typical Portuguese designs. 
3. According to folklore, when Portuguese sailors were once caught in the rough sea, they saw a bright white light that guided them to the shore. 
4. Later, a church was constructed at the same place after a few years.
5. Besides the main altar, which is the key attraction of the church, the structure has beautiful patterns of Baroque ornamentation and Gothic arches. 
6. The gilt-carved wooden reredos cover the entire wall behind the altar and look beautiful.
7. Every year, on the 15th of August, a grand mass and car procession is organized to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Light
8. Location: Mylapore, Chennai
9. Timings: 08:00 am – 11:00 am, 01:00 pm – 05:00 pm (All days of the week)
10. Denomination/Affiliation: Roman Catholic

#KnowYourCity, #KnowYourChennai- Magnificent Churches of Chennai City - Part- 1 - Santhome Basilica and Tomb of St. Thomas (Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai)

• First constructed by the Portugese in the 16th century, this church was subsequently renovated by the British in the late 19th century when they came into power.
• This church is significant because it is believed that St. Thomas stayed at the place where it was erected for approximately 20 years, making the land the church is built on divine.
• St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica is a minor basilica in Chennai and is one of the most important religious sites for Christians around the world.
• This stunning piece of architecture with an all-white facade is built in Neo-gothic style, naturally lit interiors and huge windows with coloured panes.
• As the church is close to the ocean, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that it is among the most beautiful churches in the world. The structure that you see today is a result of multiple renovations that the Basilica underwent over the last few centuries.
• The religious significance of the cathedral is linked to the belief that one of the 12 apostles of the Christ visited the place in the middle of the first century, and was put to death at St. Thomas Mount in 72 A.D. St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica was built on top of his final resting place.
• The church also houses a museum that has the fingerprint of the apostle and wall paintings depicting his life and death. The lance head that killed the apostle, a rare piece of precious bone, an episcopal chair and stone receptacle are also kept in the museum
• Christmas is a good time to visit this church. This is the biggest church in Chennai. Denomination/Affiliation: Roman Catholic
• Location: Santhome High Road, Chennai
• Timings: 06:00 am – 09:00 pm (All days of the week)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

What all you can see in Chennai ? Visiting Chennai's Iconic spots in a day!

When I had three of my close buddies from Romania and Phillipines visited us in March this year, I had to plan a bit to show case Chennai to them in the shortest time possible.  This homework not only worked like a charm, but also made me reinvent my own city.  I never would have otherwise done this going around all this places in a day, with a spillover the outskirts the following day.

Discovering Chennai in a day!

Staying closer to Airport, probably, I have taken the best route possible.

1.  Officers Training Academy, St. Thomas Mount ( From outside) and Madras War Cemetry in Butt Road

2.  St. Thomas Mount National Shrine  Church ( Up the St.Thomas Hills) - Chennai City View

3.  Valluvar Kottam 

4.  Madras Literary Society 

5.  Chennai Egmore Museum & National Art Gallery
6.   Museum Theatre

7.  Higginbottams and Pompuhar Showroom  (Mount Road and with LIC)

8.  Lunch at Amilies Poes Garden



9.  Vivekanandar House - ICE House

10.  Madras University - Senate Hall ( Chennai Binnelle was on and hence Senate Hall was open for Public)

11.  Victory War Memorial
12.  Fort St. George and Fort Museum

13.  Chennai Harbour  and Port Trust & Nappier Bridge

14.  Iconic Central Railway Station and Rippon Building 

15.  Anna Samadhi & MGR Memorial ( Now with Jayalalitha Memorial and Kalaignar Memorial)

16.  Marina Beach Water Front -  Labour Statue and Gandhi Statue

17.  Lighthouse  ( We went to the 9th floor for aerial view of the city)

18.  Ramakrishna Mutt Mylapore
19.  Kapaleshwar Temple 

20.  Asthalakshmi Temple and Annai Velankani Church Besant Nagar

21.  Santhome Basillca
22.  Palavakkam Beach

Day 2-  If you have time! ( Little stretching out of the City)

1.  Madhya Kailash Temple Adyar 



2.  Prestigious IIT Chennai and Rajbhavan Road - Gandhi Mandapam & Guidy National Park/Snake park & Theosophical Society 

3. Dakshin Chitra 

4. Crocodile Bank and VGP Kingdom

5.  Cholamandalam Artistic Village
6.  Kannathur Jaganatha Temple

7.  Muttukadu Lake & Boating

Day 3  - It you still have time left!

1.  Shopping in T. Nagar ( to enjoy the madness) and Sowcarpet (for the best deals and street food)
2.  Loads of malls the city has to offer
3.  Choki Dhanni ( a hard tried replication of Rajasthan)
4.  Queensland - if you enjoy theme parks
5.  MGM and VGP Universal Kingdom ( Klick Art musuem for crazy pictures ) and new Acquarium
6.  Wild Tribe Ranch ( If you love bit of hot day adventures and outdoors)
7.  Lots and Lots of Temples ( Be it any religion of your faith or interest - Chennai is abundant)
8.  Kalaskhetra (If you want to see the traditional dance forms of Tamil Nadu)
9.  Loads of Sabhas that offer Theatre, Drama, Classical and Western Music,  Cultural Programme)
10.  No shortage for Dining and Drinks and Yes, Disco too!
11.  Silent book reading in Iconic Connemera Library or well designed Anna Centenary Library

Enjoy Chennai!  Discover the City that has got lots to offer.   Be it traditions, art, culture,  temples, churches, beaches, food & fun....Chennai is a City to live and enjoy.  It is a city that lives and let's those who embraces it live in peace and harmony.   Chennai is not just a city of buildings and infrastructure, it is a city of inate emotions...absolute humanness and wonderful people.    Love You Chennai...You are always my Madras !  Nalla Madras!