Religion in Chennai

Chennai, along with Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, and Kolkata, is one of the few Indian cities that are home to a diverse population of ethno-religious communities.

Sambandar gives a physical description of Mylapore in his hymns: In Mylapore of beautiful groves,The waves creep up to the shore and then dance on itAs do the fisherfolk who spear the many fish in the waters,Kapaleeswaram in its plenty celebrates the Thiruvadhirai festival,Is it done for you to miss this excitement, Poompavai?

(English translation)and Thirumangai Alvar gives description of Thiruvallikeni in his hymns as: The Vedas, the essence off vedas, which the Saints readHail you as ParamatmaThe one without start and end and the god of GodsHighly respected women who cannot be compared in their qualities live hereI saw this Mada-Maa Mayilai Thiruvaallikeni ( English Translation )The early dubashes or Indian merchants who worked for the British East India Company were devout Hindus.

Muslims living in the city have varied cultural and historical origins and are currently the second largest religious community of Chennai,[5] accounting for around 9.4 percent of the population according to the 2001 census.

[9][10] San Thome Basilica, one of the earliest churches in the city, was built in 1523 by Portuguese explorers, over the supposed tomb of St.

Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha, established in 1949, is a centre for social, religious and spiritual activities and is a common point for the Sikh families in the city to converge during special occasions and festivals.

Parsis first arrived in the city in 1809 from Coorg when the ruling King's brother sent a deputation to the Governor of Fort St. George to deliver a picture.

[20] During the 18th and 19th centuries, Paradesi Jews were Sephardi immigrants to the Indian subcontinent from Jewish exodus from Arab and Muslim countries[21][22] fleeing forcible conversion, persecution and antisemitism.

They had very good relations with the rulers of Golkonda, because they maintained trade connections to some foreign countries (e.g. Ottoman empire, Europe), and their language skills were useful.

[23][full citation needed] After India gained its independence in 1947 and Israel was established as a nation, most of the Paradesi Jews preferred to migrate to Australia and other Commonwealth countries, similar to the choices made by Anglo-Indians.

[24] The millennia-long history of Indian Jews was marked by a total absence of antisemitism from the Hindu majority and a visible assimilation in the local languages and cultures.

Chennai is the international base of the Theosophical Society, a spiritual organisation dedicated to the study of world religions and inter-faith dialogue.