Chennai Beaches, Tamil Nadu India
One of the Four Metros of the country, is also the Gateway to the South. It is bestowed with a 4.5 Kms. long stretch of Beach, the second longest in the World, called the Marina Beach. Horse riding, an Aquarium, a large swimming pool are the relaxation facilities available here.
Visits to the popular landmarks, Anna and M.G.R. Memorials, jog along the beach in the morning, when the sun rises from the Bay of Bengal or relax in the lawns and watching the sun setting behind the good-old Indo-Saracenic buildings on the West. Or you can start an evening stroll from the Light House or climb atop the light house for a bird's eye view of Chennai.
Covelong Beach Chennai
The charming Covelong beach is at a distance of about forty kilometers from Chennai. The tourists and the travelers throng the quiet village, Covelong. The salubrious village of Covelong is renowned for its fishing activities. In the fishing village the swaying palms and the beautiful beach attract people from across the globe. The environs, ambience, peaceful, tranquility and the infrastructure at the Covelong beach come together to make it one of the most popular beach resorts on the Coromandal Coast.
For the adventure seekers, the breathtakingly beautiful beach of Covelong provides an amazing array of sports activities like windsurfing, swimming and various other water sports. The gentle sea and surf add to the charm of Covelong beach. The beautiful Covelong beach lies in the lee side of an ancient Dutch fort. Some of the walls of the fort are still present in the form of ruins. Thus, besides the beauty of nature, the captivating destination of Covelong is dotted with historical monuments like forts, churches and mosques. In its own unique way Covelong reveals the history of the state of Tamil Nadu. The ancient Catholic Church is a must visit amongst the many religious monuments at Covelong.
Elliot's Beach Chennai
Located in Besant Nagar, Elliot's Beach is the preferred destination for those with a clean atmosphere in mind. This beach, lined with fast food joints, small stores, and a few shrines, is a popular hangout for the younger generation today. Until not so long ago, the City's bathing beach it is now another `lung' of Madras, popular with a crowd less in love with the water. Elliot's beach is pleasant, safe for swimming, ideal for lazy lounging and picnicking.
Affectionately nicknamed "Bessie", Elliot's Beach plays host to crowds right through the day. At one end of the beach is the Church of Our Lady of Health, Madonna, which greets people of all faiths. There is also the Ashtalakshmi Temple, dedicated to the eight manifestations of Goddess Mahalakshmi. The Schmidt Memorial is an immediately recognizable landmark on this picturesque beach. Four decades ago, Elliot's beach was the favorite haunts of foreigners seeking a secluded beach to sun bathe.
A stone memorial to a Danish sailor, Karl Schmidt, who lost his life rescuing a drowning swimmer, is a landmark. About a kilometer to the north of the Elliot's beach is a nice, clean and quiet stretch of the beach, behind the Theosophical Society headquarters. Here, the river Adyar meets the sea. This place can be of interest to bird watchers a variety of birds like egrets, pond-herons and flamingoes are seen here.
Marina Beach Chennai
Adjoining the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has one of the loveliest beaches. The 4.5 km long Marina beach is the second longest beach in the world. A stroll along the Marina, whether in the morning or evening, refreshes one. The old Saracenic buildings dotting the other side of Kamarajar Salai, a main road along the Marina, would bring back memories of good old British Raj. The Senate House of the University of Madras and the old buildings now housing government offices, such as Ezhilagam and the Director General of Police office wear a mystical look in the morning when the Sun rises.
A walkway along the Marina beach, bordered with a green lawn entices you to go on a leisurely stroll. At the intersections of this promenade stand beautiful statues of Tamil scholars, patriots, and noted personalities. Of these, the Statue of Labor is a splendid sculpture depicting the efforts of a team of laborers who are at strenuous, manual work. The sea in this part is not recommended for swimming, as the currents are violent. On the other side of the road the familiar Chennai skyline- Senate House of Madras University, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College and Vivekananda Illam (Vivekananda House). The Marina beach tends to get crowded on weekends and public holidays. |