St Thomas tour in Chennai: Christian heritage sites

Walk the sites where St Thomas brought Christianity to India and met his end

A guided tour of Chennai's Christian heritage follows St Thomas from the cave at Little Mount, where his handprints are preserved in stone, through the San Thome Basilica built over his tomb in the 16th century, to St Thomas Mount where he was martyred in AD 72. The tour includes hotel pickup, a full-time English-speaking guide, and a car for the morning or afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore St Thomas historical sites

• Visit San Thome Basilica
• Explore Little Mount cave and prints
• See St Thomas Mount shrine and altar

The Experience

The San Thome Basilica anchors the tour. Built by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century over the burial site of St Thomas, the neo-Gothic structure sits on ground where Christians from Persia founded the village of Santhome in the 10th century. Inside the shrine you see a small bone of the saint and the head of the lance that pierced him, along with an ancient painting of the Blessed Mother that St Francis Xavier used to pray before. The basilica is the principal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore.

Little Mount is a cave where St Thomas hid in AD 68 and did penance. An opening to the east allowed his escape when pursuers caught up with him. Near the tunnel entrance, palm and hand prints in the stone are believed to be those of St Thomas himself. A masonry cross cut at the top of the hill marks the spot where he prayed. Inside the cave runs a spring, perennial and attributed to St Thomas's intervention.

St Thomas Mount is the final stop. On December 21, AD 72, St Thomas was murdered on this hillock. The shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Expectation, built in 1523, has its altar on the exact spot of his death. A gateway of four impressive arches topped by a cross, inscribed with the date 1547, stands as another relic of the site. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with the guide for the full duration.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Chennai.
• a full-time English-speaking guide.
• car transport between the three sites.
• entry to San Thome Basilica, Little Mount cave, and St Thomas Mount shrine.
• all taxes and fees.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by 5 Senses Walks

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide explaining the Christian history at each of the three sites (the cave, the mount, and the basilica) rather than visiting them separately on your own.

Traveler reviews

4.50★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What are the handprints in the cave at Little Mount?

The palm and hand prints near the tunnel entrance of Little Mount cave are believed to be those of St Thomas himself, left when he hid there in AD 68.

What does the San Thome Basilica contain?

The San Thome Basilica preserves a small bone of St Thomas and the head of the lance with which he was pierced, along with an ancient painting of the Blessed Mother that St Francis Xavier used to pray before.

Where was St Thomas killed?

St Thomas was murdered on St Thomas Mount on December 21, AD 72. The shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Expectation marks the exact spot, with its altar built where he died.

What dress code applies to these sites?

Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women at places of worship. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed, or entry may be refused.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs for 4 hours and includes pickup and drop-off from your Chennai hotel, a full-time English-speaking guide, and a car for all three sites.