…….
A continuation post to Saidapet Court and Raj Bhavan.
03rd December 2016.
Whenever I, passed through Chinna Malai,
thought of visiting this Little Mount Church. This came true on 3rd December
2016. The road was ascending in the east direction from the western entrance
arch to the hilltop. Along the path way to hillock sculptures depicting
the story of Thomas preaching to natives with peacocks. ( peacock sculptures we
could see many of the churches like the San Thome church altar.)
The old church was built in the year 1551 CE.
Inside the Church of Mother Mary’s, a wooden statue is kept in the altar, which might have been brought by the Portuguese, about 500 years before. To the left of
the altar steps, there is a holy cave entrance. It is believed that St. Thomas
hid in the cave, when Rajah Mahadevan of Mylapuram’s, men hunted to kill him. (
at the entrance a plaque with inscriptions says that St Thomas hid in the cave
in the year 68 CE ). The sign boards were placed at a small passage through which St.
Thomas escaped with palm & fingerprints.
Little above the church, on the hillock, the footprints of St. Thomas and the cross made by him on the rock. It was said that
blood bled from the cross during December months between 1551 and 1704 CE, hence
the Cross is called as bleeding Cross. In remembrance of this, a feast is being
celebrated during December month of every year. Very near to the cross, there is
a sweet water spring between two small rocks. On the top there is Stucco's image
of Jesus on a three-pillar structure, standing tall above the shed.
It was a great walk and a satisfying walk indeed. My Facebook page
with comments.
INSCRIPTIONS
"...a sua custa no ano de 1612", I.e. "at his own expense in the year 1612".
LOCATION OF THE CHURCH: CLICK
HERE
Sir...thanks for the mention! Very glad. Great post, wonderful pictures! Nivedita.
ReplyDeleteThanks ma .. for the encouraging comments
ReplyDeleteRegards