Church of Our Lady of Light, Chennai, Roman Catholic church in Chennai, India
The Church of Our Lady of Light, also known as Luz Church, is a Roman Catholic shrine in Chennai, India. It is a stone building with Gothic and Baroque details, located near Santhome Basilica.
Portuguese settlers built the church in 1516, making it one of the oldest European monuments in India. In 2010, the Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore declared it a shrine.
The feast of Our Lady of Light is celebrated on 15th August, when the church fills with people from the area. The shrine is also visited by Hindus, who come to honor the Virgin Mary.
The church is in a busy neighborhood, so it is best to visit on weekdays when it is less crowded. The entrance is at street level, and the interior is easy to walk through.
The name Luz means light in Portuguese, and it comes from a legend about a light that guided the first Portuguese to this spot. The church is also linked to St. Thomas, who brought Christianity to India.
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