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Chennai Expat aims to provide practical information and tips to expatriates in Chennai, but is also useful for longstayers and travellers who are planning on going to - or currently residing in- Chennai, India.

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Saturday, 5 July 2008

Worship

Looking for a place to worship? Chennai has plenty of choices when it comes to worshipping! The different spiritual and religious communities live peacefully side by side in Chennai and the city is host to a myriad of churches, mosques, temples and shrines.

Besides that you will notice very quickly upon your arrival the omnipresence of religious signs and an ongoing spiritual vibe as a veil over everyday life. Auto's are decorated with stickers from different gods, almost every shop will have a little statue or a flickering neon light depiction of Ganesh. Many a local will also send you on your way with a cheering "God Bless You" or finish a sentence with "Insjallah".

Around 75% of the population is Hindu though so you do good to learn which God protects you against what to be on the same frequency as the locals. Moreover, it's interesting to distinguish between the Gods and their attributes when visiting one of the many temples in and around Chennai, to understand the depicted mythology better.


Christian/Catholic Churches in Chennai

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Santhome Cathedral Basilica

Named after Saint Thomas (Doubting Thomas), the Santhome Cathedral in Chennai is also the burial place of this Saint and apostel of Jesus Christ, which gives it an extra spiritual importance. The Cathedral is beautifully white, situated right next to Marina Beach and surely worth a visit.

santhome cathedral chennai,churches in chennai

Santhome Basilique

Santhome High Road (near beach, 1km from Light House)

Chennai

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St. George's Cathedral

The Saint George Cathedral is situated right in the city center on a road that has been strangely called "Cathedral Road". The Cathedral is open for people seeking silence and prayer, everyday from 6 till 6.

Saint George Cathedral Chennai, St George,Chennai

Saint George Cathedral
CSI Diocese of Madras 224 -
Cathedral Road
Chennai - 600 086

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Velankanni Church

In this church located on Elliot's Beach in the Besant Nagar district, Mother Mary or Our Lady of Health is adored. It is accordingly called the "Mecca for Christians in Chennai" and therefore a good place to go for prayer if you live in the area.

velankanni church chennai, catholic churches in chennai

Velankanni Church
Elliot's Beach (in the corner, the streets takes a bend)

Besant Nagar, Chennai 600090


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St. John The Baptist Church, Egmore

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Temples

Chennai expat has listed the most famous Hindu temples of Chennai in the Sights & Sites section