Parangimalai
St. Thomas Mount
பரங்கிமலை | |
|---|---|
neighbourhood | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Metro | Chennai |
| Government | |
| • Body | CMDA |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Planning agency | CMDA |
St. Thomas Mount (known in Tamil as Parangimalai) is a small hillock located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, near the neighbourhood of Guindy and very close to Chennai International Airport.
The ancient Syrian Christian community of India trace the origin of their church to St. Thomas the Apostle, believed to have attained martyrdom in St. Thomas Mount. From the 17th century, this part of Chennai was populated predominantly by Anglo-Indians. The St. Thomas Garrison Church is located down hill.
The neighbourhood is served by the St. Thomas Mount railway station on the southern line of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network.[citation needed] Integration of the Metro and MRTS with the suburban station in the neighbourhood, is expected to make the suburb the city's largest transit hub after Chennai Central.[1]
In the state assembly elections of 1967 and 1971, there was a constituency known as the Saint Thomas Mount.
Hill shrine
A shrine dedicated to "Our Lady of Expectation" (Mother Mary) was built in 1523 on top of the mount. The altar of this shrine was built on the spot where St. Thomas' death has occurred. At the northern foot of the mount, is a gateway of four impressive arches surmounted by a cross bearing the inscribed date 1547. A flight of 160 steps leads up to the summit of the mount. There are 14 stations of the cross erected on the way to the summit.
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References
- ^ Ayyappan, V (28 January 2013). "From Tonga Stop to Transport Hub". The Times of India. Chennai: The Times Group. Retrieved 3 Feb 2013.
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