Chennai’s famed Marina Beach has long been one of the city’s most popular attractions. It has the distinction of being the longest stretch of naturally formed urban beach in India, and the second longest in the world, stretching a distance of some 13 km. Numerous local residents and visitors from overseas frequent the beach, with a particular influx during the summer months. In fact it is the most popular place in Chennai to gain a respite from the heat of summer. Overall it is a pleasant sandy beach, although swimming and bathing are not permitted here due to hazardous water conditions.
Individuals of all age groups visit Marina Beach, as it features numerous attractions like statues and memorials, a spot for lovers, an aquarium and a joggers’ pathway. Additionally you will find many shops and kiosks selling refreshments and snacks. Many people play beach cricket and fly kites here, and children will also be able to enjoy pony rides. There are also various rides, Ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds arrayed on the sandy expanse.
Two large swimming pools may also be found at the venue, both of which are of great size. You will also see an oval skating rink with an observation area which is a great vantage point to watch the action. As a part of the programme ‘Chennai Forever’ the government of Tamil Nadu has installed a 10 m high artificial waterfall on the beachfront.
As befitting the city’s main recreational attraction, the beachfront features an array of monuments and statues which have been constructed over the years. You will also see a number of handsome buildings dating from the British colonial period. The host of statues include those dedicated to illustrious personages like Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Annie Besant, and Subhas Chandra Bose; others carry a symbolic importance, such as the memorial known as the ‘Triumph of Labour’.
With all of these attractions, a visit to the famous Marina Beach will undoubtedly be a delightful sojourn, offering many diverse attractions.
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Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
