//
Photo: KARTY JazZ, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This is spread along the coast down south from the Marina Beach. It is also the night beach for Chennai youth. This beach is comparatively quieter. At the end of this beach are the Velankanni church and the Ashtalakshmi temple. Good roads, pavements, walking tracks illuminated sands make visiting this beach a real pleasure.
Edward Elliot's Beach, simply called as Elliot's Beach and popularly known as Besant Nagar Beach or the Bessie, is a natural urban beach located in the Besant Nagar neighbourhood of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located next to the southern tip of the Marina Beach, and was named after Edward Elliot, a chief magistrate and superintendent of police of the Madras Presidency in colonial India. It has the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health—also known as Annai Vailankanni Church—on its shore, and the Ashtalakshmi Temple nearby.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
ஆரோக்கிய அன்னைநினைவாக தேவாலயம் Arockia Annaininaivaaga Devaalayam, Church of the Madonna of Velankanni, Annai Velankanni Shrine
Founded in the 16th century after the three miracles: the apparition of Mary and Jesus to a slumbering shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the survival of Portuguese sailors assaulted by a violent sea storm.
Ashtalakshmi Kovil
The temple is dedicated to Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Astha, in Sanskrit, is the number eight and eight forms of Lakshmi are worshipped in the Ashtalakshmi temple.
It is smaller and less popular than Elliot's Beach. This beach is not as commercialised as Elliot's Beach and is hence more quiet and peaceful. Evenings are delightful and with gentle breezy here, Lots of tourists are attracted towards this beach. Since the residential area around this beach is occupied predominantly by young professionals working in the IT/ITES industries (that thrive in the area), this beach has turned into a hot spot for them. It is less polluted and eco-friendly. For those who look for a calm, cool and breezy place to relax, this beach is the best place in Chennai.
மருந்தீஸ்வரர் ஆலயம் Marundīsvarar Ālayam
This temple is believed to have been built in 11th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the temple was also visited by Saint Valmiki, who authored the Hindu epic Ramayana. The temple has two entrances, one from East Coast Road and the other from West Tank Street, both adorned by 5-tiered gopuram (gateway tower). The entrance from the West Tank Street has got three gates whereas the entrance from the East Coast Road has only one gate. The temple occupies an area of about - numerous images adorn the pillars of the temple, while stucco figures adorn the gopurams. The Mandapam (hall) housing the Somaskanda form of Shiva has 36 massive pillars adorned with carvings.
மத்திய கைலாசம் Mattiya Kailācam; Nadukkayilai
Very popular for locals. Ananda Vinayagar Lord Ganesha, the bestower of happiness, sits right in the centre of Parameshwar, Ambikai and Thirumal.
Built in memory of B.M. Birla, the well known industrialist and visionary. Adjoining the planetarium is a Periyar Science and Technology Museum which will be of interest to students and other science scholars.