Aminjikarai is one of the oldest localities in Chennai

Chennai

Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...

. It is located on the banks of the Cooum River

Cooum River

The Cooum River , is an urban river which ends in the city of Chennai draining into the Bay of Bengal. Along with the Adyar River running parallel to the south, the river trifurcates the city and separates Northern Chennai from Central Chennai.The name of Cooum appears to be derived from Tamil...

. The arterial Poonamallee High Road runs through it. Aminjikarai was annexed to Madras District in the year 1946, and Arumbakkam

Arumbakkam

Arumbakkam is primarily a residential locality in Chennai.Notable landmarks in Arumbakkam are D G Vaishnav College, Speed Medical Centre & Hospitals, Daniel Thomas School, Kola Perumal School,sri Panchali Amman Temple,sivan temple and the Ford Showroom...

 and Anna Nagar

Anna Nagar

Anna Nagar , formely known as Naduvakkarai, is a neighbourhood in the metropolitan city of Chennai, India. Named after the Tamil leader C. N. Annadurai, it is located in the north-western part of Chennai and forms a part of Egmore-Nungambakkam taluk...

 were carved out of Aminjikarai in the '50s and '70s. The Nelson Manickam Road that traverses through Aminjikarai is an important commercial road in Chennai city.

History

A delta formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river Cooum towards its journey to the Bay of Bengal is called Amainda Karai (which means Shaped/Formed/Created Land in Tamil) and later-on Aminjikarai Colloquially.

Early Days and Present Growth

In the early days, it was known as a suburb after the tollgate (near Pachaiappas College). Now, it is a central part of Chennai which links the residential Anna Nagar to the central business district of Chennai. It comprises Metha Nagar, Gill Nagar, Railway Colony, Collectrate Colony and Ayyavoo Naidu Colony.

The residential rates of this market are sky rocketing to Rs.5000 per sqft to Rs.6000 per sqft, which used to sell at Rs.5000 per ground (2,400 sqft) in the 70's.

Metha Nagar is connected by a small pedesterian bridge and it is almost like a peninsula. Metha Nagar is a famous locality where actors like Shoban Babu, Rajagopal and Sivaramraj are staying.

The prominent Billroth Hospitals located in Aminjikarai is now a full fledged multispeciality hospital with elegant infrastructure.

Location in Context

Temples

Aminjikarai hosts a temple Sri Ekambareshwarar kamatchi amman temple and very close to this Sri Varadharajar temple is there. Because of these two temples in very close vicinity some people refer to Aminjikarai as a mini Kancheepuram. The Mangali amman temple (ellai amman) is also located in between Tool-gate and aminjikarai. Ekambareswarer and Varadharajar temple bharamo-utsavam is very famous festival held at month of march - may. pradhosham is also very famous here.

Churches

• Ascension Church - Railway colony

• CSI church - Govindan street.

• Indian Apostolic mission - P H Road

Movie Theaters

Lakshmi Theater is a good old movie theater located on the Poonamalle High Road and Murali Krishna is another theater servicing the movie goers. After the opening of PVR Cinemas in Ampa Skywalk mall, this area has got what it waited for so long. A means to experience world class cinema.

Shopping

Aminjikarai offers shopping facilities for people of all classes. The Aminjikarai Market hosts very fresh vegetables, some roadside make shift vegetable shops offer very fresh vegetables at nominal rates. There is a huge shopping mall - Ampa Skywalk

Ampa Skywalk

Ampa Skywalk, is a shopping mall in Chennai. It has outlets from major clothing and apparel brands, a 7 screen multiplex and a food court serving multi cuisine dishes.-Brands At Skywalk:...

 at the intersection of Nelson Manickam Road and Poonamallee High Road. The mall has 7 Multiplex Cinemas, Spacious Hypermarket, Food court, Restaurants and branded retail outlets.

Schools

Aminjikarai hosts the following schools

• St.Vincent's School - SVS (Known for its quality education and disciplined behaviour)
• St. George's School, Chennai (Oldest school in South Asia)
• Chennai Corporation school

Major Companies

Nelson Manickam Road (part of Aminjikarai) has many software companies. Some major companies include HCL Technologies, Accel, Florida Software Solutions, Daskar Technologies and many more.

Other than IT, there are other big companies/institutions like the Indian Statistical Institute.

Public transport

Aminjikarai hosts two major bus stops, one called the main Aminjikarai bus stop which is on the Poonamalle High Road and the other called Arun Hotel bus stop which is on the Nelson Manickam Road which connects Annanagar and Sterling Road routes.

The nearest suburban railway station is Nungambakkam railway station, which is just 2 km (1.2 mi) from Aminjikarai.

The proximity to the Chennai Metropolitan Bus Terminas (CMBT), has made Aminjikarai one of the most accessible routes in Chennai

Chennai

Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...

.

Hospitals

Aminjikarai has many hospitals from huge ones to smaller clinics, the following are few of them

• Hande Hospital
• Billroth Hospital
• M.R. Hospital
• A.K Hospital

Collectorate Colony

This is a colony located in area that is sandwiched between the Nelson Manickam Road and the Ayyavoo Naidu colony. This locality has a very famous Karpaga Vinayagar (Ganesha) temple. The colony has good apartments and nice individual houses.

Metha nagar

The old late actor Shoban babu's statue welcomes you to metha nagar from nelson manickam road. Metha nagar is a quiet n calm place. It has got a big playground loacted in it.