Chinnamalai
Little Mount (Chinnamalai) is a small hillock that lies on the bank of river Adayar in the Saidapet taluk of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is traditionally acknowledged to be one of the places where St Thomas, an apostle of Jesus, lived and preached when he came to India. In 1551 AD, Portuguese built a Church over the site where St Thomas is believed to have lived in. Later, in the year 1970, a part of this old Church was demolished and a larger circular Church was built to accommodate more devotees.
Little Mount now is a bustling area with a mix of residential and commercial activities. IX Metropolitan Magistrates (Saidapet) court, Saidapet MTC bus depot, and All India Radio are located in Little Mount. Other Governmental offices such as Raj Bhavan (Governor's house), Highways Department, Panangal Maligai are located at the borders of Little Mount.
Current development in and around Little Mount include New Life Assembly of God (NLAG) Church, Checkers Hotel, Lemon Tree Hotel, Temple Steps Office Space. MRTS line from Alandur to Chamiers road will have a station at Little Mount.
St. Thomas
St. Thomas is believed to have stayed in a tiny cave in Little Mount. He led a spartan prayerful life in solitude, often praying on the top of the hill and preaching to the local crowds that gathered to hear the Good news. The cave is well preserved even today and can be accessed from the old Church (chinna kovil) and is used for prayer and meditation by the devotees from all creeds. On the other side of the case is an opening through which St. Thomas is said to have fled to escape this assailants. At the front of this opening, you can find hand and foot imprints of St. Thomas etched on the rock. A little farther away from the cave is an eternal spring from which is believed to be a work of St. Thomas. When St. Thomas was thirsty, he split the rocks and drank the refreshing water that gushed forth from the spring.
Our Lady of Health Church
Portuguese realized the importance of this sacred place and in 1551 AD, built a Church in honor of Our Lady of Health. A part of this Church still exists despite several renovations and development activities around it. You can access the cave, in which St. Thomas lived, from a small entrance at the left side of the altar of this Church.
Developments Around the Church
Recent developments in and around the Church include developing a large tract of land behind the Church as Holy Land. All stations of cross and a few stations of rosary are built in concrete on this land. The altar at the Holy Land is said to be finished in Italy and blessed by the Pope before it was installed here.
New buildings in the Church campus include an adoration chapel, next to the old Church, a new parish office, at the other side of the circular Church, and a pulpit and altar to hold festival celebrations.
Church Festival
The annual feast of Our Lady of Health is held on the fifth Saturday after Easter. It is preceded by flag hoisting nine days earlier and Novena. On each day, mass and prayers are offered for special intentions of a specific category of people. On the feast day, the high mass is followed by a car procession around the Church. Next evening, the flag is lowered after a high mass.
Status of the Church
Recently the Church was elevated to the status of a Shrine. Now it is referred as "Shrine of Our Lady of Health." Masses are offered regularly (at 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, and 6:00 PM during weekdays and (6:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 5:00 PM during Sundays). During special occasions such as Christmas, masses are offered in two languages (Tamil and English).
Other Organizations of Church
Our Lady of Health School
This school was started with the purpose of providing education in English medium for the poor residents of the Little Mount parish. This school has only primary section and after fifth class students usually move on to other schools for continuing their education.
Immaculate Conception Convent
The Immaculate Conception (IC) convent is located behind the Church and near the entrance to Holy Land.
Missionaries of Charity (Brothers) - Karunai Illam
Karunai Illam provides a home for the destitute people who are differently disabled, both mentally and physically. It is run by brothers of Missionaries of Charity. Missionaries of Charity, Brothers was founded in 1963 by Mother Theresa to do work similar to the Sisters of Missionaries of Charity.[1]
Ozanam Health Center
This health center was started at the initiative of Society of St. Vincent dePaul of Our Lady of Health Church. It was started at a time when common diseases were spreading among the poor people and doctors were difficult to find. It seeks to provide consultation and treatment to poor people for free or at nominal cost.
St. Thomas Community Hall
A small non-airconditioned community hall was constructed by the Church for use by its parishioners. It is built over two floors and has a very small car park. The first floor can seat about 300 people and the dining ground floor can seat about 100. Cars are often parked outside the facility in the land belonging to Church. It is not available during the Church festival period.
Catholic Graveyard
A graveyard used for burying the dead parishioners is located near the newly constructed Church of Latter Day Saints.
New Life Assembly of God
Coordinates: 13°00′56.8″N 80°13′27.7″E / 13.015778°N 80.224361°E
Rev.Dr. David Mohan is the Senior Pastor of the church. It is one of the Biggest Assemblies of God Congregation Church in Tamil Nadu with nearly 55,000 People attend Sunday Services in the Church. Rev.Dr. Chadwick Samuel who is the Eldest son of Pastor Mohan Serves the English congregation.The Church is Located across the Saidapet Bridge Junction connecting Rajbhavan Road towards Anna University,Adayar and GST Road Towards Guindy,Kathipara Junction.
Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints
There a meetinghouse for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is under construction and is built over a property previously owned by Our Lady of Health Church.
Areas of Little Mount
Little Mount includes several neighborhoods that were created during different periods. The LDG road, Taluck office road and Arokiya Madha Nagar are probably the oldest neighborhoods. The Thomas Nagar, Srinagar Colony, Rangarajapuram, were created much later.
Eat Outs
There are not many places to choose from. A landmark place is Hotel Ashok Bhavan, on the Velacherry road. It serves good vegetarian food. Other places include Hotel Anantha Bhavan, Wangs kitchen & French Loaves, Hotel Heritage (veg) and Mount Palace (non-veg). Sri krisna sweets near court.A Domino's Pizza outlet is located near the Halda junction. Ponnusamy has also opened an outlet just opposite the Domino's Pizza. An
MTC Bus Depot
MTC set up the Saidapet bus depot on 08-03-74. It operates about 116 buses and services 107 routes.[2]
Connectivity
Little Mount is well connected by MTC bus services all round the clock. Several buses pass through Little Mount to various parts of city and even distant suburbs. In addition, there are several share autos that operate on short routes passing through Little Mount.
References
External links
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