Chennai is considered to be a religiously tolerant city. Here, people show a large degree of mutual respect for each other’s faith, while religion has developed side by side, with a rich tradition of religious art and architecture.
A prime example of this unity is the Santhome Basilica, which was once the resting place of St Thomas’ remains in the 13th century. Earlier known as the Nestorian Church, it was in ruins when the Portuguese arrived and removed the remains of St Thomas inland, raising a small church over it. The Basilica of today was built in 1896, where a few relics of St Thomas remain.