Besant Nagar
Encyclopedia
Besant Nagar is one of Chennai
's well known neighbourhoods, named after the famous lady theosophist Annie Besant
, and adjoins the Theosophical Society. The Theosophical Society Headquarters is located here. It was founded in 1875, and is a worldwide body whose primary objective is Universal Brotherhood and is famed for its Banyan trees and serene settings. Kalakshetra
Academy, the world famous dance school started by Rukmini Devi Arundale
is also present in this locality. It is a part of Chennai which is inhabitated by many famous personalities and affluent citizens. Alongside are many restaurants, cafes, shops and boutiques. The main attraction is the Elliot's Beach
, named after Edward Elliot
, Governor of Madras. It forms the end-point of the Marina Beach shore. It has the Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Temple along the shore and is sometimes nicknamed 'Bessie'. In the colonial era it was a fairly exclusive place limited to ex-patriates.
Besant Nagar was developed by Tamil Nadu Housing Board
(TNHB) in late 1970s and early 1980s.TNHB developed residential plots, apartments ,commercial complexes, wide roads, school zones, bus terminus and large parks. The St. John's English School and Junior College established in 1981, by late Dr.G.Rajkumar is a well known educational institution here. Just opposite to the school is the residence of (former) World Chess Champion Vishwanath Anand.
Besant Nagar is an excellent example of organized government town planning by Tamil Nadu Housing Board
(TNHB). Originally a quiet residential area, the popularity of the nearby Elliot's beach
has led to a steady increase in traffic and commercial activities.
Besant Avenue - the road leading from Aavin Park to Besant Nagar - is quite busy and is shady due to trees planted on either side. Apart from the usually crowded and extremely vibrant Elliot's beach
, it is also home to many popular places of worship - The Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple
(inaugurated in 1977), Ashtalakshmi Kovil
(1976), Arupadai Murugan Kovil (1986), Ratnagirishwarar Kovil (1968) and the Velankanni Church.
The area also boasts a wide variety of eat-outs from different parts of the country and globe like Besant Fast Foods, Heritage, Anjappar, Frankies, Eden, Cascade, Lotus Pond, Flamingo Vishranthi, Planet Yumm, Fruit Shop on Greams Road, Mash, Beach Palms (Neiydhal Panaidhal), French Loaf, Murugan Idli Shop, Tasty Jones, Tharavad (renamed as Nanadanam), Dhabba Express, Barista and Khaana Khazaana that reflect the growing multiculturalism of the neighbourhood. Some residents have counted up to 50 restaurants/eateries in the neighbourhood between Mahatma Gandhi Road and Fifth Avenue.
It has a variety of Book stores like the Words Worths in the basement floor of Ramaniyam arcade, where the Cascade hotel is present. The Spencers Daily supermarket also provides a variety of provisional items. Limelite is one of the most elite unisex salons here.
Nearby localities include Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur
.
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...
's well known neighbourhoods, named after the famous lady theosophist Annie Besant
Annie Besant
Annie Besant was a prominent British Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self rule.She was married at 19 to Frank Besant but separated from him over religious differences. She then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society ...
, and adjoins the Theosophical Society. The Theosophical Society Headquarters is located here. It was founded in 1875, and is a worldwide body whose primary objective is Universal Brotherhood and is famed for its Banyan trees and serene settings. Kalakshetra
Kalakshetra
Kalakshetra is a cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art, especially in the field of Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. The academy was founded in January 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale. Under Arundale's guidance the institution achieved national...
Academy, the world famous dance school started by Rukmini Devi Arundale
Rukmini Devi Arundale
Rukmini Devi Arundale was an Indian theosophist, dancer and choreographer of the Indian classical dance form of Bharatnatyam, and also an activist for animal rights and welfare....
is also present in this locality. It is a part of Chennai which is inhabitated by many famous personalities and affluent citizens. Alongside are many restaurants, cafes, shops and boutiques. The main attraction is the Elliot's Beach
Elliot's beach
Elliot's Beach or "Besant Nagar Beach" ' is located in Besant Nagar, Chennai, India. It forms the end-point of the Marina Beach shore and is named after Edward Elliot, Governor of Madras. It has the Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Kovil nearby and is sometimes nicknamed 'Bessie'...
, named after Edward Elliot
Edward Elliot
Sir Edward Elliot was the reforming British governor of Madras between 1803 and 1820 who incorporated a large number of surrounding villages to form the core of the modern city. He was succeeded in 1820 by Sir Thomas Munro....
, Governor of Madras. It forms the end-point of the Marina Beach shore. It has the Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Temple along the shore and is sometimes nicknamed 'Bessie'. In the colonial era it was a fairly exclusive place limited to ex-patriates.
Besant Nagar was developed by Tamil Nadu Housing Board
Tamil Nadu Housing Board
-History:TNHB was formed in the year 1961 to cope up with the increasing demand in housing sector all over the state of Tamil Nadu due to urban growth leading to migration to urban areas in search of employment opportunities...
(TNHB) in late 1970s and early 1980s.TNHB developed residential plots, apartments ,commercial complexes, wide roads, school zones, bus terminus and large parks. The St. John's English School and Junior College established in 1981, by late Dr.G.Rajkumar is a well known educational institution here. Just opposite to the school is the residence of (former) World Chess Champion Vishwanath Anand.
Besant Nagar is an excellent example of organized government town planning by Tamil Nadu Housing Board
Tamil Nadu Housing Board
-History:TNHB was formed in the year 1961 to cope up with the increasing demand in housing sector all over the state of Tamil Nadu due to urban growth leading to migration to urban areas in search of employment opportunities...
(TNHB). Originally a quiet residential area, the popularity of the nearby Elliot's beach
Elliot's beach
Elliot's Beach or "Besant Nagar Beach" ' is located in Besant Nagar, Chennai, India. It forms the end-point of the Marina Beach shore and is named after Edward Elliot, Governor of Madras. It has the Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Kovil nearby and is sometimes nicknamed 'Bessie'...
has led to a steady increase in traffic and commercial activities.
Besant Avenue - the road leading from Aavin Park to Besant Nagar - is quite busy and is shady due to trees planted on either side. Apart from the usually crowded and extremely vibrant Elliot's beach
Elliot's beach
Elliot's Beach or "Besant Nagar Beach" ' is located in Besant Nagar, Chennai, India. It forms the end-point of the Marina Beach shore and is named after Edward Elliot, Governor of Madras. It has the Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Kovil nearby and is sometimes nicknamed 'Bessie'...
, it is also home to many popular places of worship - The Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple
Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple
The Varasiddhi Vinayakar Temple in Besant Nagar, Chennai, India is a famous Hindu temple, located near the beach in Besant Nagar. It is dedicated to the Hindu elephant god Vinayaka or Ganesha...
(inaugurated in 1977), Ashtalakshmi Kovil
Ashtalakshmi Kovil
The Ashtalakshmi Kovil lies on the shorelines near the Elliot's beach, in Chennai, India. It is a temple to the Goddess Lakshmi. Ashta means eight, and the eight forms of Lakshmi are worshipped in this temple. Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu....
(1976), Arupadai Murugan Kovil (1986), Ratnagirishwarar Kovil (1968) and the Velankanni Church.
The area also boasts a wide variety of eat-outs from different parts of the country and globe like Besant Fast Foods, Heritage, Anjappar, Frankies, Eden, Cascade, Lotus Pond, Flamingo Vishranthi, Planet Yumm, Fruit Shop on Greams Road, Mash, Beach Palms (Neiydhal Panaidhal), French Loaf, Murugan Idli Shop, Tasty Jones, Tharavad (renamed as Nanadanam), Dhabba Express, Barista and Khaana Khazaana that reflect the growing multiculturalism of the neighbourhood. Some residents have counted up to 50 restaurants/eateries in the neighbourhood between Mahatma Gandhi Road and Fifth Avenue.
It has a variety of Book stores like the Words Worths in the basement floor of Ramaniyam arcade, where the Cascade hotel is present. The Spencers Daily supermarket also provides a variety of provisional items. Limelite is one of the most elite unisex salons here.
Nearby localities include Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur
Thiruvanmiyur
-Transport:The area is easily accessible by Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses and has a sprawling bus terminus. Bus Routes connecting Thiruvanmiyur with other places in Chennai are: 1, 1A, 1C, 1D, 6D, 22A, 23C Extn., 29M,29C Extn., 41C, A47, 47A, 47D, M1, M49, M7, C51, T51, M23, M19, M70,...
.