India: Santhome Cathedral
On the Christmas day exactly one year ago, I was in India. I think it was a bad experience for my Pinoy friends (who were stuck in India with me) as Christmas was something big for them as Christians and should have spent the day with families. Since it was public holiday in India, Sharmaine and I made a tour around Chennai city.
The first destination was Sainthome Cathedral. This church was built over the tomb of Saint Thomas who was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Since it was Christmas day, the church was quite crowded. There was also one artificial Santa Claus placed near to the entrance as decoration.
The facade of the cathedral. It's huge that I need a super wide lens (which I don't have) to fit the whole building into my camera frame.
Inside the church with Jesus Christ and the priest at the far end. I think this was my second time going into a church. The first time was attending my mom's friend wedding ceremony when I was a kid. I just grabbed a fast shot because shoes had to be removed in order to go in.
We did walk around the church surrounding. Pity these peoples who lined up along the street in front of the church. Everyone needs cash injection nowadays.
A stall selling stones and religious paraphernalia.
There's some kind of museum too. I went in alone as Sharmaine did not want to walk with bare foot.
I think this represents the Holy Grail. There's actually a rose at the bottom. I wouldn't know this if I didn't watch The Da Vinci Code.
At the underground, there was a long path leading to the tomb. A little bit of exhibition about Saint Thomas. The painting The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio. Some hardcore pilgrims did actually lean towards the picture and, pray? Maybe they could feel close to God at that moment.
Right in front of the painting, there was this holy water with lotus. The visitors touched on the holy water and put a few drops on their foreheads.
Finally arrived at this hall with complete dead silence. The pilgrims were too concentrating doing their things in front of the tomb.
A guy kneeling down in front of the tomb of Saint Thomas.
That's the end of my trip to The National Shrine of St. Thomas Basilica in Chennai, India.
P/s: Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose... La la la.. Blah blah blah... Ho ho ho... Merry Christmas!!
The first destination was Sainthome Cathedral. This church was built over the tomb of Saint Thomas who was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Since it was Christmas day, the church was quite crowded. There was also one artificial Santa Claus placed near to the entrance as decoration.
The facade of the cathedral. It's huge that I need a super wide lens (which I don't have) to fit the whole building into my camera frame.
Inside the church with Jesus Christ and the priest at the far end. I think this was my second time going into a church. The first time was attending my mom's friend wedding ceremony when I was a kid. I just grabbed a fast shot because shoes had to be removed in order to go in.
We did walk around the church surrounding. Pity these peoples who lined up along the street in front of the church. Everyone needs cash injection nowadays.
A stall selling stones and religious paraphernalia.
There's some kind of museum too. I went in alone as Sharmaine did not want to walk with bare foot.
I think this represents the Holy Grail. There's actually a rose at the bottom. I wouldn't know this if I didn't watch The Da Vinci Code.
At the underground, there was a long path leading to the tomb. A little bit of exhibition about Saint Thomas. The painting The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio. Some hardcore pilgrims did actually lean towards the picture and, pray? Maybe they could feel close to God at that moment.
Right in front of the painting, there was this holy water with lotus. The visitors touched on the holy water and put a few drops on their foreheads.
Finally arrived at this hall with complete dead silence. The pilgrims were too concentrating doing their things in front of the tomb.
A guy kneeling down in front of the tomb of Saint Thomas.
That's the end of my trip to The National Shrine of St. Thomas Basilica in Chennai, India.
P/s: Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose... La la la.. Blah blah blah... Ho ho ho... Merry Christmas!!
Technorati Tags: Christmas Saint Thomas Santhome Basilica Church Cathedral Chennai Tamil Nadu India Trip Travel
Labels: India
posted by YeeJen at 9:11:00 PM
2 Comments:
Ou ou.. One year d. Masih ada thing to blog :P
Then what did you do inside while people was praying and chanting? YOu jus stand and shoot photo?
Luckily you're not been chased out :P
I still remember what happened during my trip. haha.
I just took the picture from the door entrance. They were not praying or singing carols. They were queuing up and received bread + wine from the priest, I think so. I don't know what that calls in Christianity and they were just too far away. The session ended before I managed to take more shots. I faster cabut because all of them were coming in my direction to leave the church.
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