With the majority of the people in India following Hinduism, Chennai, like other Indian cities, is home to more Hindus than any other religion. Chennai has centres of worship for a multitude of faiths. According to 2001 census, majority of the population are Hindus (81.3 percent), Muslims (9.4 percent), Christians (7.6 percent), Jains (1.1 percent), Sikhs (0.06 percent), and Buddhists (0.04 percent).[3]
Hinduism
Religions and their adherents (in percentage of total population)
Census
Hindu
Muslim
Christian
Jain
Buddhist
Sikh
Others
Not Stated
1901
80.6
11.3
8.0
0.05
0.02
0
0.02
1911
80.2
11.4
8.1
0
0
0
0.35
1921
81.2
10.1
8.4
0.2
0.1
0
0
1931
80.4
10.8
8.4
0.4
0.05
0
0
1941
79.9
12.3
5.9
0
0
0
2.31
1951
81.6
9.9
7.8
0.4
0.07
0.07
0.09
1961
85
7.5
6.9
0.5
0.02
0.04
0.07
1971
84.1
8.5
6.6
0.7
0.03
0.05
0.01
1981
84.4
8.1
6.4
0.7
0.1
0.04
0.06
1991
83.9
8.7
6.4
0.9
0.02
0.04
0.03
2001
81.3
9.4
7.6
1.1
0.04
0.06
0.23
2011
80.7
9.45
7.7
1.1
0.06
0.06
0.04
0.8
Hinduism is the native faith of Chennai. The origin of Hinduism in the city dates back to antiquity. The temple towns of Mylapore, Triplicane, Thiruvottiyur, Saidapet and Thiruvanmiyur, which are now part of Chennai city, had been visited by the Saivite saints called Nayanmars and Vaishnavite saints called Alvars. The saint Vayilar Nayanar was born and brought up in Mylapore. 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 it As 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 read Hail you as Paramatma The one without start and end and the god of Gods Highly respected women who cannot be compared in their qualities live here I saw this Mada-Maa Mayilai Thiruvaallikeni ( English Translation )
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. An overwhelming majority of Chennai Muslims belong to the Sunni sect and Shia sect minority does exist. Majority of Muslims of Tamil speaks Dakhini, variant of Urdu. While a small minority speak other languages.
Christianity
Christianity was introduced in Chennai by the Christian apostleSt. Thomas, who is believed to have preached in the city between the years 52 CE and 70 CE.[6][7][8] St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, was martyred in St. Thomas Mount in the southern part of the city and was buried in Mylapore.[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. Thomas.[11] The city has one of the highest population of Christians among major Indian cities, accounting for 7.6 percent of the city's population. The Roman Catholic Church plays a major role in Chennai's Christian population.
Sikhism
The earliest arrival of Sikhs in the city is not known officially as there are no records. However, the migration is said to have been consistent before, during, and after the partition of India. As of 2012, there were about 300 Sikh families residing in the city, which increased to about 500 odd families by 2019.[12] A gurudwara is located behind the Teynampet Congress Grounds. 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.[13]
Jainism
Jainism was one of the oldest religions of Chennai and, alongside Buddhism, was introduced in the pre-Christian era. There are both North-Indian and Tamil Jains in the city, although the former outnumber the latter. There are about 100 Jain temples in the city built by the North-Indian Jains, whereas there are only 18 Tamil Jain temples catering to roughly 1,500 Tamil Jain families.[14] The Adheeshwar Jain temple in Puzhal, dedicated to Adi Bhagwan, Adeeswar, Adinath, Adi Jain, and Rishabhadev, is believed to be of 1st century BCE.[15][16]George Town has the greatest share of Jain temples in the city. A North-Indian-styled Jain temple was built at Adhiyappa Naicken Street in 1899. There are two more Jain temples on Mint Street. The Shantinath temple in T. Nagar is a Swetambar Jain temple. Other Jain temples include those in Chintadripet and Vepery.
Buddhism
Buddhism is another ancient religion of Chennai introduced in the pre-Christian era. The city's only Buddhist temple, the Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Centre, is located at Egmore.
Zoroastrianism
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. Hirijibhai Maneckji Kharas was the first Parsi to land in the city, who was accompanied by five other Parsis and two priests who bought land at Royapuram opposite the Catholic Church. By 1900s, the Parsis established themselves well in the city, dealing in cars, cycles, perfumes and dyes. The first Iranis came to Madras around 1900 and soon became known for their Irani cafes and also established or managed theatres. There was no official priest in the community for over 100 years till 1906. There was no place of worship until the Royapuram fire temple was built in 1909.[17] As of 2010, there were about 250 Parsis in Chennai. Many of them live in Royapuram.[18]
Chennai is the international base of the Theosophical Society, a spiritual organisation dedicated to the study of world religions and inter-faith dialogue. Since 1882, Chennai has been the headquarters of the Theosophical Society.[26]
^The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 5 by Erwin Fahlbusch. Wm. B. Eerdmans Pudgfh¡blishing – 2008, Page 285. ISBN978-0-8028-2417-2.
^A. E. Medlycott, (1905) "India and the Apostle Thomas"; Gorgias Press LLC; ISBN1-59333-180-0.
^Thomas Puthiakunnel, (1973) "Jewish colonies of India paved the way for St. Thomas", The Saint Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, ed. George Menachery, Vol. II.