India's Biblical Connection?

[Blue Betta]

Like the person above said, go to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There is a strong Christian community there. If you travel the streets, you will see a lot of roadside and crossroads shrines to Christian figures, especially Jesus. Southern India also is home to some of the oldest civilizations (excluding the Indus Valley around Iraq and Iran, of course), and there is a lot of cultural history from around that time.

 

[Rako]

I think if you want to travel abroad and see Biblical sites you really need to pick the places Jesus was in: Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Palestinian territories, State of Israel. Those places show up in the Old Testament writings too in major ways.

Other places like

• India (the ships traveling to the land of Ophir to help build Solomon's temple),
  
• Rome (Peter and Paul),
  
• Greece/Cyprus (Paul),
  
• Turkey (The Seven Churches in Revelation)
  
• Iraq (ie. Babylon),
  
• Saudia Arabia (Moses in the desert) and
  
• Ethiopia (Queen of Sheba)

all have a connection to the Bible, but it's really very secondary.

If you go to those places you can do pilgrimages, but they are not usually part of the Bible stories directly. Like you can visit St Thomas' places in India even if they aren't mentioned in the Bible.

I guess you realized all that by now.

 

[Rako]

I guess technically you would go to the ports of India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan that the Phoenician traders went to. Wikipedia discusses it under OPHIR.
And you would visit the places St Thomas is remembered at.

But did Thomas actually go to India? Did St. Andrew go to Ukraine? Did Joseph Arimathene go to Britain? I don't have a strong opinion.

 

[Trevlr]

There are no historical places in India which are mentioned in the Bible. Most stories revolve around Israel, Syria and Egypt. I am yet to learn about ancient time Christianity in India. I have however learnt and heard about Mother Theresa who championed humanity projects under Christianity.

 

[djtravels]

There are no historical places in India which are mentioned in the Bible. Most stories revolve around Israel, Syria and Egypt. I am yet to learn about ancient time Christianity in India. I have however learnt and heard about Mother Theresa who championed humanity projects under Christianity.

Check out my reply above to know about Christianity in India in ancient times. Also:

The Book of Esther

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this was the Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia) (Esther 1:1).

So the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all, to every province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language (Esther 8:9).

Additionally:

Bartholomew, again, preached to the Indians, to whom he also gave the Gospel according to Matthew, and was crucified with his head downward, and was buried in Allanum, a town of the great Armenia

And Thomas preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and Margians, and was thrust through in the four members of his body with a pine spears at Calamene, the city of India, and was buried there.

As already mentioned, St. Thomas preached in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, etc. And he was assassinated in Chennai which the Bible calls "Calamene". And this is precisely why St. Thomas' Cathedral holds historical and biblical importance.

Also, its important to note that Armenia is in Europe and is considered a "Pagan" country, however, most of the Pagan temples there have the same gods (and names, including Varahmihir or mihir) as Hindu temples. Just a fun fact for the theology buffs.

 

[Admin]

Many people wonder whether India is mentioned in the Bible, and the answer is yes! India is directly referenced in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Esther 1:1 and Esther 8:9, where it is described as part of the vast Persian Empire ruled by King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I).

Biblical References to India​

The Bible directly mentions India in two verses:

Bible Verse	Reference to India
Esther 1:1	"Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces)."
Esther 8:9	"Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces…"

These references confirm that India was known to the biblical world and was an important region in the vast Persian Empire, which stretched from South Asia to Africa.

India’s Role in Ancient Trade​

India was well known in ancient times for its luxury goods, which were highly sought after in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. Some scholars believe that King Solomon may have traded indirectly with India through the port of Ophir, which supplied items similar to India’s exports.

️ Ancient Trade Goods	Linked to India?
Gold	Yes, India was famous for its gold trade.
Ivory	Indian elephants were a major source of ivory.
Spices (Cinnamon, Pepper, etc.)	India dominated the ancient spice trade.
Precious Stones	Gems from India, such as sapphires and diamonds, were highly valued.
Peacocks	Ancient texts suggest peacocks came from India to Solomon’s court.
Sandalwood	Often linked to trade with the Indian subcontinent.

Christianity’s Early Roots in India​

Although the Bible does not explicitly mention Christian influence in India, historical records suggest that St. Thomas the Apostle traveled to Kerala, India, in 52 AD, where he preached and established one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, known as the Saint Thomas Christians (Nasranis).

St. Thomas & Christianity in India	Historical Facts
Arrival in India	Believed to have landed in Kerala in 52 AD.
Spread of Christianity	Preached in South India and converted many locals.
Churches Established	Founded 7 churches in Kerala, which still exist today.
Legacy	The Nasrani community continues to follow early Christian traditions.

Final Thoughts​

India’s biblical connection is a fascinating topic that highlights its historical importance in trade, culture, and religion. While the Bible only briefly mentions India, its influence on global trade and religious movements was significant.
If you're interested in learning more about India’s presence in ancient history and religious texts, feel free to ask!