Mylapore - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Mylapore

Mylapore
Coordinates: 13.0336N 80.2687E

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mylapore (Mayilppr) is a cultural hub and neighborhood in the southern part of the city of Chennai, the
capital of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest residential parts of the city. It is also called Mylapore
Thirumayilai. Neighbourhood
Mylapore is known for its tree-lined avenues, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Katcheri seasons and Ramakrishna
Math among many others.[3] Portuguese invaded and demolished the original Kapaleeshwarar Temple and
built San Thome Basilica which houses the tomb of Thomas the Apostle.[4][5][6][7]

Contents
1 Etymology
2 History
3 Location MRTS station, Mylapore
4 Demographics
5 Notable personalities
6 Important places
6.1 Religious places
6.1.1 Kapaleeswarar Temple
6.1.2 Ramakrishna Math
6.1.3 Adi Kesava Perumal Temple
6.1.4 Sri Vedantha Desikar Devasthanam/Sri Srinivasar Koil
6.1.5 San Thome Basilica
6.1.6 Luz Church
6.1.7 Other places
7 Culture
8 Food
9 Politics
10 Education
11 Transportation
11.1 Tram

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11.2 Road
11.3 Rail
12 See also
13 References
14 External links

Etymology
Mylapore
The word Mylapore is derived from Mayil arparikum oor, which means "Land of the peacock scream".[8]
Historically, peacocks have been known to thrive in the area, which is evident from the several statues in
the Kapaleeshwarar Temple towers and in the emblem of the San Thome Basilica. Thirugnanasambandar
has also mentioned about mayil (peacock) in his songs in Tevaram. Mylapore is also known as
Thirumayilai. Thiru means 'holy' or 'sacred' and is traditionally used in front of names in all parts of Tamil
Nadu like Thiruneermalai (Lord Ranganatha), Thirunageswaram (Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva),
Thirumayam (Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva), Thirumayilai (Lord Adikeshava Perumal and Lord Kapali
Eshwaran), Tiruvanamalai (Lord Shiva), Thiruchendur (Lord Muruga), Tiruchirappalli (Lord
Show map of Chennai
Sriranganathar), Thiruttani (Lord Muruga), Tiruchengode (Lord Shiva), Thiruchitrambalam (Lord Shiva), Show map of Tamil Nadu
Thirumanancheri (Lord Shiva), Thirunallar (Lord Shani Eshwaran), Thiruporur(Lord Muruga), Show map of India
Thirukkadaiyur (Lord Shiva), Tirukalukundram(Lord Vedagiriswarar temple), Thirukarugavur (Lord Show all
Garbharakshambigai temple), Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Tiruvallur and many more. Coordinates: 13.0336N 80.2687E

Country
History State
India
Tamil Nadu
District Chennai District
Mylapore predates British rule by several centuries. It was historically known as Vedapuri. As the
Metro Chennai
available historical and archaeological evidence show, it could well be the oldest part of Chennai, with
Ward 147
written records of early settlements going back to the first century BC. It was known for its ancient port
with a flourishing trade with the Roman Empire, receiving gold in exchange for its products like pepper Talukas Mylapore
and fine cloth. St. Thomas the Apostle allegedly died at Mylapore in 72 AD.[4][5][6][7] Ptolemy had Government
recorded in the 2nd century AD that the port of Mylapore was known to the Greeks and the Romans. The
Body CMDA
Saivite Saints of the 7th Century, Saint Sambandar and Saint Appar, have sung about the Shrine in their
hymns. Mention has been made of the early settlement of Santhome (currently known) by Arab travelers Languages
and merchants of the 9th and 10th centuries AD. Marco Polo visited the place in the late 13th century and Official Tamil
left a detailed description of the land, the people along with their customs and religion.[9] Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

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It was considerable maritime time and the ancient German and Greek maps refers to the town as PIN 600 004
Maliarpha. The later Scottish researchers like James Playfair referred it "Meliapour"[10][11] Mylapore was Vehicle TN-06
occupied by the Portuguese in 1523, who established the viceroyalty of "So Tom de Meliapor" or "Saint registration
Thomas of Mylapore." Portuguese rule lasted until 1749, except for a brief interregnum between 1662 and Lok Sabha South Chennai
1687, when the town was occupied by the Dutch. constituency
Vidhan Sabha Mylapore[1][2]
After 1749, the British East India Company took possession of the settlement in the name of Muhammad constituency
Ali Khan Wallajah, the Nawab of Arcot.[12] In that same year, Mylapore was incorporated into the Planning CMDA
administration of the Presidency of Madras. The settlement known as "Luz" developed during this period. agency
The name finds its origins from the 'Nossa Senhora Da Luz' (Our Lady of Light) church built by the
Portuguese in 1516 AD. This church is one of the oldest standing Christian structures in all of Tamil Nadu. Website www.chennai.tn.nic.in
(http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in)
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the town became the commercial and intellectual hub of Madras
city and home to British-educated lawyers and statesmen.[13][14][15] Some of the luminaries based in Mylapore included
Sir V. Bhashyam Aiyangar, Sir S. Subramania Iyer, Sir T. Madhava Rao, Eardley Norton, Sir P. S. Sivaswami Iyer,
Pennathur Subramania Iyer, V. Krishnaswamy Iyer, Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, H Bhimasena Rau, C S Rama Rao Sahib,
Subanthore Vasudeva Rao, CR Krishnaswamy Rao Sahib and the civil engineer C R Narayana Rao.

Location
Mylapore is located a few kilometres to the south of the British-built Chennai city. It lies between Triplicane and
Teynampet in the west then across to the coast in the east. It is bounded by Royapettah to the north. Its southern frontier The tomb of Thomas the Apostle in San
corresponds roughly with that of the River Adyar. It extends for around 4 km from north to south and 2 km from east to Thome Basilica.
west.

Demographics
The population of Mylapore is estimated to be around 150,000 to 300,000.[16] It has long been a site of cultural importance for Brahmins, which can be
attributed to Mylapore's early role as a temple centre. Smartha Brahmins, a sub-sect, were one of the first people to settle in this township.[17] More accurate
statistics are not available as Mylapore is not a separate township by itself, but a part of Chennai city. The different neighbourhoods within Mylapore have been
distributed among the different wards of the Chennai Corporation.

Notable personalities
According to Hindu legend, Pey Azhwar, one of the twelve azhwar saints of South India, was found in the lily flower in the pond of the Adi Kesava

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Perumal Temple in Mylapore in 4203 BCE.[18]

St. Thomas the Apostle attained martyrdom at Mylapore in 72 CE.[4][7] San Thome Basilica is built over his original tomb. His relics were moved to
Edessa in the third century.[19]

Important places
Religious places

Mylapore is known for its cultural and religious heritage. Mylapore is home to hundreds of temples, churches and
mosques.

Kapaleeswarar Temple

Kapaleeswarar Temple is one of the most famous temples of Chennai. Originally built in the 7th century by the ruling
Pallavas, the temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century to construct the San Thome Basilica, and a new
temple was constructed in the 16th century by the Tuluva dynasty (14911570 CE) using remains of the old temple. The Kapaleeswarar Temple
main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. The temple exhibits exquisite Dravidian architecture. The huge temple is
surrounded by traditional crowded street markets of Chennai selling fruits, flowers, vegetables and traditional brass
ware.

Ramakrishna Math

Sri Ramakrishna Mutt, is the oldest center of the Ramakrishna Order in the South India. Sri Ramakrishna is the main
deity of the temple. Architecture of the temple is a blend of Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, Rajput, and Christian styles. The
sprawling campus contains several huge quiet halls for dhyana, Sanskrit word for meditation. The book store on the
campus sells books on Indian epics - Ramayana and Mahabharatha, talks, travels and works of Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda, as well as the philosophy of Vedanta along with monthly magazines. The monks
conduct lectures and interviews in English on Sunday evenings from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.[20]

Adi Kesava Perumal Temple

Mylapore is known for the AdiKesava Perumal Temple constructed in honor of Keshava or Lord Vishnu, a principal God San Thome Basilica
in the Hindu pantheon and the "Savior" in the Hindu trinity. The temple has an idol of Lord Vishnu accompanied by his
celestial consort Goddess Lakshmi. This is the birthplace of Peyazhawar. It has sannathis for the thayar Mayuravalli,

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Chakkarathazhvar, Sri Andal, Sri Rama & Anjaneya. It is the avathara sthalam (birthplace) of peyazhvar and has a
separate sannithi for the azhvar. During the brahmotsavam the utsavar goes in a procession accompanied by Sridevi &
Bhudevi in the mada streets and also gives us the chance to see the theppam festival in the centuries-old kulam(tank).
Every year the Parthasarathy perumal comes to the Kesava perumal temple and Kesava perumal too goes to Triplicane
along with Peyazhvar.[21]

Sri Vedantha Desikar Devasthanam/Sri Srinivasar Koil

Mylapore has the Srinivasar temple near Chitra Kulam in Mylapore, which is administered by the Vedantha Desikar Entrance of the Universal Temple
Devasthanam (SVDD)]. It is located beside the Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, which has an imposing gopuram that can
be seen from quite a distance.

San Thome Basilica

San Thome Basilica, built over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica at Santhome in the
city of Chennai. Thomas is traditionally believed to have sailed to Muziris in modern-day Kerala India in AD 52.[7][22]
The Saint Thomas Christians or Nasrani Christians of Kerala are believed to have been converted by St Thomas.
Tradition has it that Thomas was killed in 72 CE at Mylapore and his body was interred here. His relics were moved to
Edessa in the third century. San Thome Basilica was built over his original tomb in the 16th century by Portuguese
explorers, after demolishing the original Kapaleeshwarar Temple which stood on the grounds, and rebuilt with the status
of a cathedral by the British in 1893 which still stands.[5] San Thome Basilica is the principal church of the Madras- Temple Tank in Mylapore
Mylapore Roman Catholic Archdiocese. In 1956, Pope Pius XII raised the church to the status of a Minor Basilica, and
on 11 February 2006, it was declared a national shrine by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. It is an important
pilgrimage center for the Syrian Christians of Kerala. The church also has an attached museum.[23]

Luz Church

Church of Our Lady of Light is a Roman Catholic shrine in Chennai, India. It is commonly called as Luz Church by the
locals, which derives from the Portuguese name Nossa Senhora da Luz. Built in 1516 by the Portuguese, it is one of the
oldest Churches in the city and its foundation stone marks as one of the oldest European monuments in India. The
history of the church dates back to the 16th-century legend of safe arrival to land by missionaries. The church is located
very near to the Santhome Basilica, where Apostle Thomas is believed to be buried.
A temple for Thiruvalluvar in Mylapore

Although at the time the church was built, the locality was a thick forest, now it is part of a bustling metropolitan area.
This 16th century European architecture building consists of patterns of Gothic arches and Baroque ornamentation. The

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feast of Our Lady of Light is celebrated on 15 August every year.

Other places

Veera Anjaneyar Temple, near Luz

Madhava Perumal temple
Saptha Sthaana Shiva Temples, 1. Sri Karaneeswarar Temple; 2. Sri Theerthapaleeswarar Temple; 3. Sri Velleeswarar Temple; 4. Sri Virupaksheeswarar
Temple; 5. Sri Valeeswarar Temple; 6. Sri Malleeswarar Temple; 7. Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple.
Madras Music Academy
Vivekananda College
Lighthouse, Chennai

Culture
Mylapore is regarded by many as the cultural hub of the city. Mylapore is the home of music sabhas (cultural
organizations) and musicians. December is often set aside as the Music Season when regular and continuous kutcheris
are organized by the Sabhas in Mylapore. There are performances by Carnatic Music vocalists and artists during this
period. The Parthasarathy Swami Sabha in Mylapore is the oldest Sabha (Assembly) in Tamil Nadu. The Madras Music
Academy in the north of the district is an important nucleus of art events in the city. Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan
Auditorium conducts cultural events. The Mylapore Fine Arts located near Nageshwara Rao Park is another Sabha.

Nageshwara Rao Garden is known for its play area, shrubs and cultural events.

Mylapore Website provides news about Arts & Culture of Chennai City [24]
Convention of the Mylai Tamizh
The Mylapore Times, a weekly neighbourhood newspaper, covers issues relating to the neighbourhood of Mylapore. Sangam, early 1900s

Food
Mylapore is also known for its South-Indian food. There are many famous eateries in Mylapore that are thronged by
people.
Mylapore Fine Arts Club
Rayars Mess, Sri Karpagambal Kabali Sweet Stall (for its pakodas), Kalathy News Mart (Rose Milk), Mami Tiffen Shop
(kozhukattais).[25]

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Politics
The Mylapore assembly constituency is part of Chennai South (Lok Sabha constituency).[26]

Education
Mylapore contains many educational institutions, including One of the best private Film school in India mindscreen film institute headed by Rajiv Menon which
offers courses in film making, cinematography and acting Vivekananda College, Lady Sivaswamy Ayyar Girls Hr.Sec.School St., Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya
Senior Sec School, Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Higher Sec School, St Raphael's Girls Hr.Sec.School, Rosary matriculation Higher secondary school, St Bede's
Anglo Indian Higher secondary school, Santhome Higher Sec. School, Montfort Academy, MCTM Chidambaram Chettyar International IB School, Justice
Basheer Ahmed Sayeed(J.B.A.S) Memorial Matric Hr. Sec.Boys School, Dominic Savio School, St. John's Schools, P. S. Senior Secondary School, Vidya
Mandir Secondary School, P.S Higher Secondary School, with the latter being over a hundred years old. India's first digital media college the Image College
of Arts, Animation, and Technology is also based in Mylapore.

Transportation
Tram

There used to be a tram line running through Kutchery Road from Santhome via Luz, Mylapore.

Road

Mylapore is connected to other parts of the city by MTC buses, with connections including Chennai Central, T. Nagar, Tambaram, Broadway.

List of MTC bus routes covers through in and out of Mylapore

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Route
Start End Via
Number

1 Thiruvottriyur Thiruvanmiyur Broadway, Central, Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar

1A Thiruvottriyur Thiruvanmiyur Broadway, Central, Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar

1C Ennore Thiruvanmiyur Thiruvottriyur, Broadway, Central, Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar

1D Ennore Thiruvanmiyur Broadway, Central, Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar

5B T.Nagar Mylapore Mandaveli, Adyar, Saidapet

12B Foreshore Estate Vadapalani Santhome, Kutchery Road, Luz, Alwarpet, Pondy Bazar, Kodambakkam

12C Saligramam Mylapore Vadapalani, Rangarajapuram, Panagal park, Adyar Gate, Mandaveli

[Tambaram
M15 Mylapore Mandaveli, Adyar, SRP tools, Velachery, Pallikaranai
EAST]

M15xt East Tambaram Mylapore Mandaveli, Adyar, SRP tools, Velachery, Pallikaranai, Medavakkam, Camp road

21 Mandaveli Broadway Mylapore, Royapettah, Central RS

21B Adyar Parrys Andhra Mahila Sabha, Music College, Foreshore Estate, Santhome, Chepauk, Madras University, Secretariat, RBI

21C Kannagi nagar Central (RS) Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar, SRP tools,

Chepauk, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Kotturpuram, Gandhi Mandapam, Guindy, Kathipara, Meenambakkam, Pallavaram,
21G Broadway Tambaram
Tambaram

29C Besant Nagar Perambur Adyar, Mandaveli, Mylapore, Stella Mary's College, Nungambakkam, Chetput

45G Guindy Anna Square SaidapetWest, Mettupalayam, Srinivasa Theater, CIT nagar, Adyar Gate, Mandaveli, Mylapore, V.house

Rail

Thirumyilai Railway Station, on the Mass Rapid Transit System network, connects Mylapore to Chennai Beach to the north and Velachery on the south.

See also
History of Chennai

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References
1. Partywise Comparison Since in Assembly Elections since 1977
(http://www.eci.gov.in/electionanalysis/AE/S22/partycomp13.htm)
2. Profile of candidates who contested 2006 Assembly Elections from
Mylapore constituency (http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/election2006
/pollupd/ac/states/s22/Acnstcand13.htm) Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20080320050203/http:
//www.assembly.tn.gov.in/election2006/pollupd/ac/states
/s22/Acnstcand13.htm) 20 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
3. http://kapaleeswarartemple.com/
4. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/592851/Saint-Thomas
5. Neill, Stephen (2004). A History of Christianity in India: The
Beginnings to AD 1707. Cambridge University Press. p. 29.
6. Farmer, David (2011). The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, Fifth Edition
Revised. Oxford University Press. p. 418. ISBN 978-0199596607.
7. The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 5 by Erwin Fahlbusch. Wm.
B. Eerdmans Publishing - 2008. p. 285. ISBN 978-0-8028-2417-2.
8. Saints, Goddesses and Kings By Susan Bayly
9. The Travels of Marco Polo by Henry Yule, Vol 2, Book 3, Chapters
XVII and XVIII, Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/files
/12410/12410-8.txt)
10. [1] (https://books.google.com/books?id=l79BAQAAMAAJ&
pg=PA816&lpg=PA816&dq=maliarpha+india&source=bl&
ots=WmGo7Sry2M&sig=9GqYSw5UzIAXI8EW5UUmnNTGaDY&
hl=en&sa=X&ei=puI_VcnbMYfJtQWe6oH4AQ&
ved=0CE8Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=maliarpha%20india&f=false)
11. James Playfair (1813). A System of Geography: Ancient and Modern
(https://books.google.com/books?id=l79BAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA816). P.
Hill. pp. 373 and 816.
12. A brief history of Chennai, From the official website of the Corporation
of Chennai (http://www.chennaicorporation.com/aboutcoc
/che_history08.htm)
13. PALATHOPE -- A Lawyer's Enclave Part I by Ashwin Prabhu,
Mylapore Social History Project (http://my-mylapore.blogspot.com
/2006/10/palathope-lawyers-enclave.html)
9 of 10
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mylapore
14. PALATHOPE -- A Lawyer's Enclave Part II by Ashwin Prabhu,
Mylapore Social History Project (http://my-mylapore.blogspot.com
/2007/04/palathope-lawyers-enclave-part-ii.html)
15. Madras Rediscovered by S.Muthiah
16. Voter population of Mylapore Legislative Assembly constituency
(http://specials.rediff.com/election/2006/apr/10sld1.htm)
17. Womanhood in the Making By Mary Elizabeth Hancock, Mary Hancock
18. Ayyar, P. V. Jagadisa (1991). South Indian shrines: illustrated
(https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&pg=PA539&
dq=poigai+azhwar&hl=en&sa=X&ei=kBxzUf2hD6ah2gX4uYGgDQ&
ved=0CD4Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=pey%20alwar&f=false). New
Delhi: Asian Educational Services. p. 539. ISBN 81-206-0151-3.
19. "St Thomas Christians" Catholic Encyclopedia (Newadvent.org).
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14678a.htm . nd. web. accessed FEB
19, 2010.
20. http://www.chennaimath.org/activities/spiritual/lectures-and-interviews
21. M., Rajagopalan (1993). 15 Vaishnava Temples of Tamil Nadu. Chennai,
India: Govindaswamy Printers. pp. 2534.
22. The Jews of India: A Story of Three Communities
(https://books.google.com/books?id=qhKGPprbQaYC&
printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&
q=St.%20Thomas&f=true) by Orpa Slapak. The Israel Museum,
Jerusalem. 2003. p. 27. ISBN 965-278-179-7.
23. "Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas"
(http://www.santhomebasilica.com/basilica.html).
SanThomeChurch.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
24. "Mylapore | Margazhi Isai Festival - Local, News, Events, Updates,
margazhi isai festival" (http://www.mylapore.net). Mylapore | Margazhi
Isai Festival. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
25. http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Food/a-foodwalk-with-
tradition-at-mylapore/article6345010.ece. Missing or empty |title=
(help)
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26. "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Retrieved
(http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf) 2008-10-08.

External links
Mylapore page on Metblogs (https://web.archive.org/web/20080226201910/http://chennai.metblogs.com/archives/2006/03/mylapore.phtml)
Mylapore page on Rediff (http://specials.rediff.com/election/2006/apr/10sld1.htm)
Website of Kapaleeswarar Temple (http://www.mylaikapaleeswarar.com/)
Website of Srinivasar Koil (http://www.svdd.com/)
Official website of the Madras Musical Academy (http://www.musicacademymadras.in/)
Official Website of Ramakrishna Mutt, Chennai (http://www.rkmhq.org/)
Official blog of the Member of Legislative Assembly(MLA) from Mylapore (http://mylaporemla.blogspot.com/)
Website of Santhome church Mylapore (http://www.santhomechurch.com/)
Website of Santhome Cathedral Mylapore (http://www.santhomecathedral.com/)

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