Marina Beach
About Marina Beach
Far From City: 4 kms from city center
Cost:
About Marina Beach
Weather:
Time Required:2-3 hours
Open Time:Throughout the day
Cost:Free
History of the beach
The Marina Beach has an interesting history attached to it. Before the Madras Harbour was built, what the beach was nothing more than a strip of mud infested with mudskippers. The beach was formed a s a result of regular sand deposits towards the present day road until 1881, when the harbour was built. The pristine beauty of the Marina beach was first noticed by Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff, who was the governor of Madras and he commissioned the building of a boulevard along the stretch of sand. From 1881 to 1886, the beach was diligently worked upon and in 1884 it was christened the Madras Marina by Elphinstone himself. A number of structures were added to the Marina beach's coastline from the 19th century onwards.
Major attractions of Marina beach
The stripline of the Marina beach is lined with a number of attractions and beautiful architectures that you can visit on your trip here. If you are into architecture, the Marina beach road is home to some of the most famous and beautiful British buildings like the University of Madras, Senate-House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College, P.W.D office and Ice House. There are many statues of Tamil scholars, the Victory of Labour and the Mahatma Gandhi statue which are considered as splendid pieces of art. All these structures are located on the promenade road which was constructed way back in 1884. There is also a 49 meter high Old Light House which provides a panoramic view of the city from its top and is the only light house in India with a lift.
The aquarium in the Marina beach is known for its extraordinary and rare collections of both tropical sea fishes and fresh water fishes. It was the country's first aquarium and was established in 1909. There is also an Ice House which is situated within the Aquarium and is used to store ice brought from Great Lakes in North America. Another sight worth seeing here is the Velankanni church and the Ashtalakshmi temple which is always filled with tourists. Other structures along the coastline include a statue of Robert Caldwell, Kambar, Illango Adigal, Bharathiar, Kannagi, a statue of Subhash Chandra Bose, G.O Pope, Annie Besant, Bharathidasan, Thiruvalluvar, Swami Vivekananda, Avvaiyar, Veerama Munivar, Kamarajar, Periyar and Sivaji Ganesan.
Activities at Marina Beach
Being a popular spot among tourists and locals alike, a number of different events and celebrations are held at the Marina Beach from time to time. The annual Independence Day and the Republic Day ceremonial parades and air shows are held along the promenade along with the unfurling of the national flag in the Marina. Annual idol-immersion event following the Hindu festival of Vinayaka Chathurthi takes place at the Marina beach, where most of the idols of Lord Ganesh kept on display during the festival in the city are immersed in the sea. The beach is also the venue for several marathon and walkathon campaigns throughout the year conducted for various causes. In addition to these, arrangements for kite flying, beach cricket, swimming pools, skating arena and artificial water fountains are situated at the Marina Beach as well.
Best time to visit Marina Beach
The ideal time to visit the beach is from November to February. During this time the weather is pleasant and you are spared the hot and humid climate that Chennai is infamous for. Morning and evening hours are cooler and more pleasant.
How to Reach Marina Beach
Marina beach stretches from St George Fort to Besant Nagar. If you are travelling by your own vehicle take the North Beach road which leads right to the beach and runs parallel to it. If you are at the Mofussil Koyambedu bus stand you can take a Chennai corporation bus to get the Marina beach. Buses from Coimbet to Paris and from Paris to Marina beach are available as well.
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Shopping in Marina Beach
Street food vendors are aplenty at the Marina Beach, and you can buy a variety of snacks to munch on. Other than that, knick - knacks are also sold here quite abundantly.
Tips
1. Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and water bottles2. Wear comfortable footwear3. Swimming is not allowed in the sea owing to the dangerous tides. However, designated pools are present in the beach area where you can swim.
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