The Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) is an interesting pathway in Chennai that connects the city to the historic hamlet of Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram is home to many architectural marvels dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. These architectural remains continue to attract thousands of international and local tourists and art lovers every year. The calm beaches of the Bay of Bengal add to the charm of the area. If you want to learn more about the significant places located in and around OMR, keep reading and discover the hidden gems of this part of the city. Also, find out the things to do in OMR during your leisure.
Omr And Its Significance
OMR Road, also known as Rajiv Gandhi Salai, is a vital arterial road in Chennai’s ever-expanding infrastructure. It serves as the gateway to the city’s largest IT Corridor. It is a hub for numerous IT companies, software firms, and startups, offering a plethora of job opportunities for young people. This road is also hosting many educational institutions, including engineering colleges and private management schools, attracting students from all parts of the country. OMR is a thriving business hub and a sought-after residential destination, boasting high-quality housing options that includes sky-high apartments and spacious villas with all modern amenities. The government’s ongoing infrastructure development initiatives, such as road widening, and metro train flyovers to improve connectivity, are set further to improve OMR’s appeal for new businesses and residential spaces. With its modern infrastructure, job prospects, educational institutions and colleges, the OMR Road is a promising symbol of progress for Chennai’s future.
Places To Visit In OMR
Let us now explore the details of places near OMR that can be visited for a relaxed weekend with friends and family. All the places mentioned below can be reached in an hour or two. You can combine 2 to 3 places and make an all-day trip around the seashore.
- The Iskcon Temple
- The Muttukadu Boat House
- The Dakshinachitra Museum
- The VGP Universal Kingdom
- The Cholamandal Artists’ Village
- Matsya Narayana Temple
- Injambakkam Beach
- Marina Mall And Vivara Shopping Mall
The Iskcon Temple
The ISKCON Temple Chennai, situated at the Hare Krishna land in Sholinganallur, is a captivating spiritual haven. This temple, nestled amidst serene surroundings off the East Coast Road, is a part of the Centre for Spiritual Art and Culture. Covering an expansive 1.5-acre area, the temple is a five-storey architectural marvel. The first floor houses a spacious temple hall, that covers upto 7000 sq.ft area. The ground floor features an auditorium for cultural and spiritual events, and the basement is home to a prasadam hall. One of the most noteworthy features of the temple is a resplendent chandelier adorned with 500 Himalayan quartz crystals, believed to enhance the spiritual energy within the temple.
The temple also has various vastu shastra elements, which are artfully explained in a booklet available at the adjacent book shop. The book shop present within the premises has a good collection of books and souvenirs on spirituality and Hindu philosophy. The temple’s daily schedule includes three times of prayer sessions, with the last aarati, the sayana arati, taking place at 9:00 pm every day and it lasts for around 15 minutes.
The Muttukadu Boat House
Muttukadu can be reached in an hour, if you travel on OMR, just outside the city. The boat house is a chill place and has exciting recreational activities for the tourists. The nearby tourist spots includes the rock-cut Tiger Cave and the ancient Muttukadu Lake, dating back to the 16th century, reflect the area’s rich cultural heritage. Visitors can really enjou]y the intricately carved structures at the Tiger Cave as it provides a glimpse of the architectural wonders of the Pallava dynasty. Now, Muttukadu is famous for its water sport activities, which includes paddle boarding, kayaking, and rafting on its scenic backwaters of the Bay of Bengal.
The Muttukadu Boat House hosts a lot of water sports and offers many options like motorboats, rowboats, and water scooters for the people to enjoy. It also provides opportunities for leisurely boat rides and jet ski rentals. The village also hosts charming temples, bustling street markets, and traditional fishing hamlets where visitors can experience the local fishing practices. During the evenings, the village comes full of life with cultural vibrancy and offers you the taste of traditional local Tamil Nadu cuisine at local restaurants and captivating performances of classical dance and music, providing joy and excitement to the visitors. Mahabalipuram Village Resort will help you enjoy the beautiful Muttukadu boat rides with your family.
The Dakshinachitra Museum
DakshinaChitra is a living-history museum in Chennai and it shows the richness of the heritage and culture of South India Art. It is present just 25 kilometers south of Chennai and is opened to the public on 14th December 1996. It is a testament to the unique art, architecture, lifestyles, and performing arts of South India. The name “DakshinaChitra” means “Picture of the South,” and justifying its name, it beautifully reflects the essence of South Indian culture. Spanning across ten acres of land, this heritage museum is a project of the Madras Craft Foundation, which was established with the aim of promoting and preserving the ancient,traditional art forms of the South Indian region. Any Resort In OMR Road will offer you a pleasant stay and heathy food, thus helping you to enjoy your vacation.
The museum is available to its visitors from Monday to Friday every week, 10 am to 6 pm. It is also open during weekends and public holidays from 10 am to 7 pm. The museum is closed on Tuesdays The entry fee for Indian tourists is 110 rupees per person, which goes higher upto 130 rupees per person during festivals, while foreign tourists are charged 250 rupees per person. The entry fee collected for children aged between 5 to 12 years is 30 rupees. For children below five years of age, the entry is free. Visitors wishing to use a professional or SLR camera must pay an additional fee of 150 rupees.
The VGP Universal Kingdom
The VGP Universal Kingdom is a must-visit amusement park located in Chennai, offering a plethora of attractions for visitors of all ages. Spanning across a large area, the park is filled with exciting and diverse entertainment options that guarantee a fun-filled day for the whole family. There are thrilling rides like the high-speed roller coaster and the giant Ferris, refreshing water slides and attractions such as bumper cars, mini trains. There is something to impress anyone who visits this amusement park.
Adding to the exhilarating rides, the park also hosts live shows featuring a lot of magic shows, puppet shows, and lively dance acts. Visitors are allowed to take photos with their beloved cartoon characters and can create cherished memories. For adventure lovers, the mirror maze and the spine-tingling experience of the haunted house offer unique and thrilling experiences. There are good Resorts In Chennai With Swimming Pool, that guides you to tour around the city and enjoy its attractions with good food.
To provide a comfortable and enjoyable visit, you should wear comfortable shoes, carry enough water, apply sunscreen, and set a budget for food, snacks and souvenirs. The VGP Universal Kingdom stands as a top destination, promising an unforgettable and delightful experience for all who visit.
The Cholamandal Artists’ Village
The Cholamandal Artists’ Village in Chennai is a captivating cultural destination that provides a window into the dynamic art scene of the city. The visitors to this unique village can experience all-new level of artistry by visiting the galleries that showcase a beeline of various art forms including painting, sculpture, pottery, and textiles. What sets this village apart is that you can get an opportunity to engage with the resident artists. You can converse with the artists and get inspired by them. If you get a chance to attend workshops and classes conducted by experienced artists, consider yourself lucky. OMR Tourist Places will be incomplete, if you miss this art village.
The serene atmosphere of the village provides an opportunity for you to leave aside the regular traffic of the city, and gives you a peaceful environment where you can leisurely admire the natural beauty and lush green surroundings. The art village also conducts cultural events regularly to entertain people such as dance performances, music concerts, and art exhibitions. It provides an opportunity for us to experience and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Chennai.
The village’s unique attractions, includes the outdoor sculptures and art workshops for children. They surelt cater the audience. The tourists can have a feast of the local food and beverages at the cafés and restaurants nestled within the village. To make the most of a visit to The Cholamandal Artists’ Village, it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes for exploring the expansive galleries and outdoor spaces, plan the visit in advance to catch upcoming events, and show respect for the artists and their working spaces. You can support the local artists by purchasing their artwork and contribute to the flourishing art community here.
Matsya Narayana Temple And The Injambakkam Beach
Matsya Narayana Temple is one of the less-crowded temples located on the Injambakkam Beach, Chennai. The temple hosts a statue of Lord Vishnu, who is often depicted in the form of a fish (Matsya) in Hindu religion. Its calmness, surrounded by green plants, provides a peaceful and positive vibe for its devotees to connect with the god. The tourists can enjoy the open structure of the temple and pray peacefully. You can also appreciate the stunning early-morning views of the beach. The temple’s relaxing structure and its closeness to the beach make it a go-to place for both locals and tourists seeking a weekend outing. This temple can top your list of Places To Visit In OMR And ECR in Chennai.
Marina Mall And Vivara Shopping Mall
Marina Mall and Vivara Shopping Mall are major prominent shopping destinations in the OMR, Chennai, and have got plenty of shopping attractions to cater differnt sectors of people. Marina Mall, located in the heart of the city, boasts a spacious and luxurious ambiance with a variety of international and local brands. People can explore a huge collection of products, including clothing, modern electronics, home accessories, and festive decor items.
Vivara Shopping Mall, situated in the OMR IT Corridor, is another modern shopping complex. It houses a lot of stores, offering everything from fashion and lifestyle products apart from providing entertainment options like a multiplex cinema and gaming zones. Both these malls provide a comfortable and enjoyable shopping experience with ample parking space, food courts, and entertainment facilities. As a conclusion, the OMR Places To Visit in Chennai has a lot to offer to the visitors. You will not be disappointed in your long-drive to this road, as it has plenty of tourist attractions by its side. So without wasting time, you can plan your weekends with your friends and family to take a ride on OMR and enjoy what it has to offer you.