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LUZ CHURCH - OUR LADY OF LIGHT
Also known as the 'Kaatu kovil' (Church located in a forest) locally, it lays claim to being the oldest church in Chennai, a claim that is not well documented though. The now busy Luz area was in early days supposed to have been filled with mangroves, where St. Thomas is believed to have once rested. The church was built by Franciscan missionaries from Portugal in honour of Mother Mary in 1516. The austere façade of the church belies the splendour of its baroque interiors with its gilded altars, the fine tracery railings of the pulpit and choir, the original polychrome santos and frescoed ceilings. The Luz Church reflects the fashions and trends of typical European ecclesiastical architecture. The Gothic arches and flying buttresses, baroque ornamentation and elegant classical lines, have been heavily influenced by European style. The Luz Church is a fine example of the Portuguese, impressive attempts to replicate their great churches in faraway lands.
Fr. Thekkeperumbuthur Joseph George (Thekkeperumbuthur in Malayalam means big paddy field down south - the home town of Fr. George) or Fr. T J George as he is better known to his parishioners says, "The legend goes thus, A group of Franciscan missionaries were coming on a mission to preach the good news in the land of India. But when the boat neared the Coromandel Coast, they were stranded out on the rough seas, as they were unable to locate the shore. Anxiously they beseeched Mother Mary. Then a mysterious light appeared and they were guided to the shores of Mylapore, then a village. Having landed at the shore, they found that the light led them still further and disappeared at the place where the church stands today. They built the church at the very spot where the light vanished in gratitude to 'Nossa senhora de Luz (Our Lady of Light)'. Luz in Portuguese means light. Thus was born the name Luz, by which the whole surrounding area of the church is known". The Church has had its share of tribulations, having first suffered damage when Golconda forces occupied it in the 17th century and later when forces of Hyder Ali occupied it, in the late 18th century. The East India Company has also occupied the Luz for some time. Fr. T J George has a very interesting story to tell about the centrepiece of attraction on the ceiling frescoe - the 'Franciscan emblem'. "The emblem shows two hands as if embracing each other. One is said to be the hand of Saint Francis and the other of Jesus Christ. Once when Saint Francis of Assisi was praying he wanted to embrace Jesus. In response to that wish in his mind, Jesus is believed to have embraced him. This inspired the emblem, which is the emblem of the Franiscan congregation", he says.
Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Arjan Dev's birthdays and Bai Sakhi (New Year in the Sikh calendar) are occasions for Sikh families in the city to come together to pray and fraternise. Teachings from the Guru Granth Sahib (the Holy Book of the Sikhs) are read. A free langhar (community kitchen) called Guru ka Langhar is run at the Gurudwara. In a langhar all are treated as equals, regardless of whether they are rich or poor. There is also a free medical centre, which provides health care to the poor. Every Sunday the
congregation participates in poojas, kirthans and the langhar. There are also
prayer services in the morning and evening. Daily prayer starts with recitation
from the Granth Sahib, after which kirthans are sung.
SRI KAPAALEESWARA TEMPLE
In the heart of bustling Mylapore, the 120 feet tall Gopuram (spire or tower), the 18th century tank and the bronze statues of the 63 Shaivite saints make this shrine a must-see pilgrimage spot for visiting devotees.
The temple has goddess Parvathi depicted as a Peacock worshipping the Shiva lingam. In the outer courtyard is the sacred Punnai tree - one of the city's oldest. A sculptural
representation in front of the temple flagmast, shows Saint Gnanasambandar
singing to raise up a dead girl. The temple is believed to be the site where
this miracle took place. SHREE GUJARATI SWETAMBER
The tempe is built only of marble and does not contain any ironwork. For its construction, architects, carvers and workers were brought in from Rajasthan. According to Jain scriptures the colour of God was green. So in order to have a special idol made, quartz was selected from the Chellur mines near Tumkur, Karnataka. The idol was made with tools used for cutting precious stones like diamonds. The main prayer hall has exquisite glass work, a rare sight in South India. Another unique feature of this Jain temple is that Jain acharyas (priests) walk all the way from North India to visit and stay here for 'Chatur Masa'. ('Chatur Masa' is a period of four months when Jain acharyas stay and give discourses on Jainism to the devotees).
SRI PAARTHASAARATHY TEMPLE
The temple houses five avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu. Originally built by the Pallavas, the temple underwent several modifications across the centuries. At various times the French, the Dutch and the Golconda rulers occupied the temple as a battle imperative. This most important temple to Vishnu in Chennai, has a December festival that is a highlight in the Chennai events calendar.
THOUSAND LIGHTS MOSQUE
It is referred to as the Thousand Lights Mosque because of the legend that over one thousand lamps had to be used to light up the Assembly Hall which stood at this same spot. This multi-domed mosque, with sayings from the Holy Koran painted on its walls, comes alive during the annual Moharram
WALLAJAH MOSQUE
Built without steel or wood, this magnificent grey granite edifice at Triplicane is the most important Muslim shrine in Chennai.
ST ANDREW'S CHURCH
Modelled on the plan for St.Martin's Lane (London), St.Andrew's has a dome, which is fifty one and half feet in diameter on the inside, and this is supported by sixteen fluted, Corinthian columns. This dome was constructed using the 'Syrian masonry' technique. It is believed to be one of the few in the world to be supported by columns of this height.The mahogany woodwork and the chequered black and white marble floor add to the elegance of this church. Maestros like Victor Paranjothi and Handel Manuel have led the congregation in worship here, with their music. |
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Churches
Tucked
away in a tiny corner of Mylapore is the church of 'Our Lady of Light' or
more popularly the 'Luz Church'. The church has lent its name to the area
around it and to the road leading up to it as the Luz Church Road.
The term
Baroque was imported from Italy, where it received its name. 
It is
the first Church to be built in honour of 'Our Lady of Light' in Tamil Nadu, the
main feast of the Church is celebrated on August 15th. The
feast is celebrated with a grand mass and car procession. August 15th,
which also happens to be the day of our Independence, is the day when the feast
of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Mother Mary) is celebrated.
Designed
and built by an Indian mason, commissioned by French clergymen, this
fine example of gothic architecture stands proudly in the middle of
Loyola College campus. Its pointed arches, ribbed vaults,
rose windows, three-aisled nave and the flying butresses are a
worthy testament to the Gothic style. The Loyola Chapel
was built in 1933. Covering an area of 150 feet by 60 feet, with
stained glass windows, this church is a captivating sight, inside as
well as outside. The spire is 157 feet high and has a stairway
leading to the top, where a cross stands.
At
the southern tip of Marina is the towering basilica built on the
spot where St. Thomas (an apostle of Jesus Christ) was buried. This
is the church of the Archbishop of Chennai - pastoral head of the
Catholic community in the region.
This
most important Shiva temple in the city is also the most splendid example of
Dravidian temple architecture in Chennai. 
The
63 figures are carried in a procession on the eighth day of the 10-day
Aruvathumoovar festival in March-April.
Gujarati
Swetamber Murtipujak Jain Mandir is one of the most important Jain Mandirs
(temples) in the city. The first Jain temple in South India with 3 gopurams and
5 doors, it has marble carvings based on the principle of the famous 'Dilwara'
temples. The main deity of the temple is Lord Parsvanatha who is the 23rd
Tirthankara in Jainism. 
This
temple that dates back to the 8th century, is dedicated to Lord Krishna
who took on the role of a charioteer (saarathy) to Arjuna also known as Partha.
At
the meeting point of Mount Road and Peters Road, stands one of the city's most
important mosques.
Referred
to as the Big mosque (for obvious reasons) it was built by the Wallajah family
in 1795 in memory of the Nawab. The present Prince of Arcot is closely
associated with this shrine even today.
St.
Andrew's Church, Egmore, popularly referred to as 'The Kirk' is one
of the finest specimens of Georgian architecture in Asia. Consecrated in 1821,
it is part of the Church of South India and was erected basically for the
Scottish Community in Chennai. Major Thomas Fort de Havilland and
Colonel James Caldwell were the moving force behind the construction of this
church.
