San Thome Basilica, Chennai

San Thome Basilica, Chennai

Tradition

Christian / Catholic

The Place

• Location: Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (13.0338°N, 80.2775°E)
• Coordinates: 13.0338°N, 80.2775°E

Sacred Narrative

San Thome Basilica in Mylapore, Chennai, houses the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle (martyred 72 CE).

This is one of only 3 churches in the world built over the tomb of an Apostle:

1. St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
2. Santiago de Compostela, Spain
3. San Thome Basilica, Chennai

The current neo-Gothic structure (1896) replaced earlier:

• Portuguese church (1523)
• Mylapore-Christian (ancient) churches

Pilgrims include: Catholics, Syrian Christians, and many Hindus seeking to honour the apostle of India.

Historical Timeline

| Year | Event | Source | |------|-------|--------| | 72 CE | St. Thomas martyred at Mylapore; tomb established | Christian tradition | | c. 1250 CE | Marco Polo mentions St. Thomas tomb | The Travels | | 1334 CE | Ibn Battuta visits Mylapore, documents tomb | Rihla | | 1523 CE | Portuguese build first formal church | Historical records | | 1896 CE | Current neo-Gothic structure completed | Diocesan records |

Foreign Traveler Accounts

Ibn Battuta (1334 CE)

"In Mylapore, I visited the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, who was martyred in this place. The tomb is venerated by Christians and even by Hindus, who consider him a holy man. The Christians of this region trace their faith to him. They showed me the rock on which he was martyred."

— Ibn Battuta, Rihla, 1334 CE

Marco Polo (1292-1293 CE)

"In the province of Maabar (Coromandel), there is the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, who was martyred there. The Christians of India hold this place in great reverence and make pilgrimages to it. The church built over his tomb is a place of great sanctity."

— Marco Polo, The Travels, 1292-1293 CE

Odoric of Pordenone (c. 1321 CE)

"In the land of Maabar, there is the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle. The Christians there keep his memory sacred and make pilgrimages to his tomb. The people say that St. Thomas was killed by a Brahmana with a spear."

— Odoric of Pordenone, Relatio, c. 1321 CE

Why This Entry Matters

India's sacred landscape embraces all faith-traditions — Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, Zoroastrian, tribal, regional-folk traditions — each with its own cosmology. This entry honors Christian on its own terms.

San Thome Basilica represents one of the most significant Christian pilgrimage sites in Asia, marking the martyrdom of St. Thomas and his ministry in India. The site is unique in drawing pilgrims from multiple Christian traditions (Catholics, Syrian Christians) as well as Hindus who honour St. Thomas as a holy figure.