Religious/ Spiritual

St Mary's Church, South Asia's oldest Anglican English church, is located near the Fort Museum, Chennai. Built in 1680, it is one of the oldest buildings carrying the legacy of British Raj in India. The thick walls of the church, of nearly thickness 5 ft, are supposed to be explosion proof. One can see some price worthy ancient materials in this church. The church adorns a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's superb painting the Last Supper, a bible as old as 1660 AD, some silver plates and a pure silver plaque. The church is open daily from 9:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs.

St. George's Cathedral is the Cathedral Church of the Church of South India, Diocese of Madras. The Cathedral is placed in the heart of the city and is a majestic building with the tower reaching the skies high as if catching up with proximity to God in prayer for the the whole world. The parishioners worshipping at the Cathedral is a lively community of believers from all over India as well as many from different parts of the world. Anyone visiting the Cathedral will be fascinated by its majesty and spirituality. Built in 1815, this outstanding piece of architecture showcases a towering 45 m spire and ironic columns. Most notable feature of the Cathedral is the graveyard located nearby to it with its guide rail made up of war symbols such as bayonets and muskets.

The Church, also known as 'the Kirk,' was built in 1780 and branded as `the Queen of Scottish Churches in the East'. St Andrew's Church, which was constructed basically for the Scottish community in Chennai, is one of the supreme examples of Georgian architecture in India. There is an arching dome tinted with Lapis Lazuli and the sixteen fluted Corinthian columns add to the loveliness of the church. A special aspect of the Kirk cathedral is its hidden foundation. Sanctified in 1821, it is presently under the Church of South India (CSI).

Sri Sharada Peetam-Sringeri, one of the important Hindu Advaita Mathas, with head quarters at Sringeri, has many branches in India and abroad. One of the branches is at Kodambakkam in Chennai. This branch has a temple with main deity as Goddess Sharada. As a centre of Pilgrimage,Sri Sharada Peetam attracts many number of pilgrims every year. Pilgrims visiting here seek the blessings of Goddess Sharada, the divinity of Supreme Knowledge. It is a rich heritage place to visit.

Uttara Guruvayurappan temple is located in Nanganallur, once a thick forest populated by many ‘tapasvis' and now a temple town, the abode of many Gods and Goddesses. An ardent devotee of Lord uruvayoorappan Tapsvi Bilwamangal had a ‘divine vision' of the Lord who assured him that a temple would be built in Nanganallur. This temple came to be called ‘Uttara Guruvayurappan Temple' since it is north of the original temple in Kerala and have the main deity Sri Guruvayurappan. Pal payasam' is a special offering to the Lord.

Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple is located at Mogappair, literally means blessed with a child, in Chennai. This name symbolizes the belief that the Lord of Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal shrine provides the childless couples the most wanted blessing of little babies. Due to this belief childless couples throng to this holy place and offer their prayers, and it is said that their wishes have come true after the visit of this shrine. The Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple has been conducting many major religious festivals, one to note is Brahmotsavam.

The Shiva Vishnu temple is an important Hindu religious place in Chennai. Shaivaism and vaishnavism (two important paths of theology in practicing Hinduism) converge at the Shiva Vishnu Temple. The temple is unique in the sense that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshipped under one roof. The temple houses the idol of a yoni lingam, symbolizes the images of male and female genitals. There are separate temples devoted to Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesh. This is a sacred place to visit and place offerings.

The Sai Baba temple is situated at Mylapore, following the preaching and bhajans of Bhagwan Shirdi Sai, in the heart of the city of Chennai. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shirdi Sai. Devotees throng the temple on Thursday, the special day for Sai Baba. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Ram, the two incarnations of Vishnu. This is a well-maintained modern religious center of Hindus.

Santhome Cathedral is a historical ancient pilgrim centre built during the period of the 14th to the 15th century A D by the Portuguese. The cathedral, near Chennai beach, got its name from St Thomas, the doubting discipline of Jesus Christ. A museum is located in the grounds nearby. Main attraction of the museum is a 16th century map of South Asia. Santhome Cathedral is one of the prominent attractions in Chennai. People with Christian faith visits this place and attend the Mass.

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Sri Parthasarathy Temple is located at Triplicane, near the famous Marina beach in Chennai. Spread over an area of 1.5 acres, it was built by the Pallavas in the 8th century. The temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna (Parthasarathy), houses images of the five incarnations of Vishnu. It also has a small shrine dedicated to Vedavalli Ammai, Vishnu's consort. Parthasarathy in the sanctum sanctorum is in a standing posture facing east, holding in his right hand the divine conch called the Panchajanyam. His lefthand is in Dana Mudra indicating his divine feet.