Are you looking for a weekend hangout place in Chennai? If you are a person who likes to spend a relaxed evening in the City? If yes, then Elliot’s Beach, Chennai, would be an ideal choice. Edward Elliot’s Beach, fondly called Elliot’s Beach or Besant Nagar Beach, is in Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Besant Nagar is a busy neighbourhood in Chennai. Choose a relaxed walk on Elliot’s beach if you want to spend some happy hours amid your hectic life. Voted one of the cleanest beaches in South India, Elliot’s Beach has a lot of iconic spots and historical importance attached to it. Let’s discover each of them in this blog.
Elliot’s Beach – Why the Name?
Edward Francis Elliot served as a chief magistrate and superintendent of police during the British period in this region. That is why the name. This Beach is located on the southern tip of the famous Marina Beach, the longest in Asia. Eliot’s Beach also hosts a famous historic landmark, the Karl Schmidt Memorial. This memorial is founded in remembrance of the Dutch sailor Karl Schmidt, who sacrificed his life in his attempt to save a drowning girl. This beach is not overcrowded on the weekdays despite being located in the centre of the city, thus allowing you to enjoy the view of the never-ending blue sea and its breeze. There are a lot of eateries and food outlets to grab a quick snack nearby. Children will surely be thrilled when they go for a happy horse ride. This beach is near many other cultural monuments you can visit within a day.
What can you do at Elliot Beach Chennai?
- The beach has clean sand and blue waters so you can take long strolls in the morning and evening.
- Early morning joggers consider this place more suitable for burning calories. You may see many fitness enthusiasts and runners on the beach in the early mornings.
- Occasionally, movie shoots take place on this beach, as it has great tradition and iconic value.
- Visit this beach with your friends and family on weekends and cover some famous places of worship nearby.
- Watch the early sunrise. On full moon days, you will likely spend until midnight on the beach. It is safe.
- Spend your weekends at beach Resorts in Chennai nearby to enjoy the cool breeze privately.
Places of worship near Elliot’s Beach
Other tourist attractions near Besant Nagar Beach are listed as follows.
- Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple
- Annai Velankanni Church
- Mahabalipuram Shore Temple
- Arulmigu Marundeeswarar Temple
- Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple
- Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple
- Raja Annamalai Puram Sri Ayyappaswami Temple
- Madhya Kailash Temple
- Pamban Swamigal Temple
The Ashtalakshmi Temple is located on Besant Nagar Beach. It is a popular Hindu religious temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. There are eight separate Gopurams or shrines for the eight different avatars/forms in which the goddess is worshipped. Each deity is known for empowering her devotees with specific wealth. The temple was built in 1976, and the shrines are built strategically to align with the AOM sign of Hindu mythology. It is on the beach, calm and serene. At the same time, it is a peaceful place of worship. This temple is considered one of the jewels of Elliot’s beach.
The Annai Velankanni Church has a long history. Built around the 16th century, it has its historical heritage. Around that time, Mother Mary was believed to have appeared with infant Jesus in her arms and saved many Portuguese sailors from a deadly storm that attacked the Chennai presidency. Including this, people say they have witnessed many miracles happen. To date, this church remains an iconic heritage monument in Chennai.
Famous places to hang out near Elliot’s Beach Besant Nagar
Apart from the religious places, some venues are captivating in and around Besant Nagar. This place is surrounded by shopping malls, food joints, and famous restaurants to cater to vegetarian and non-vegetarian food lovers. Popular ice cream outlets and exciting street food are also there to impress you. Here is the list.
- The Express Avenue Mall
- The Chennai City Center Mall
- Ka Organic restaurant
- Downtown cafe
- Arignar Anna Zoological Park
- San Thome Church
- MASH RestoCafe
- Pondy Bazaar
- Kishkintha Theme part
- Dakshin Chitra
Besant Nagar hosts some of the city’s favourite cafes and pastries. The city’s earliest malls are still competing with modern-day constructions, which host many international brands and multiplex movie theatres. No wonder young men and women hover around Besant Nagar on weekends and enjoy quality time with their loved ones. Grand music concerts and big celebrations like Christmas and New Year are celebrated with a festive vibe and sheer enthusiasm here.
How to reach Besant Nagar Beach?
Since the beach is the city’s heart, it is well connected. The nearest local train station is West Mambalam. You can reach anywhere within the city through local buses, city trains, metro trains, auto rickshaws, and taxis.
Facilities of Elliot’s Beach
- A lot of small and big food outlets are there near the beach. So you dont need to carry food during your visit.
- ATMs are available within walking distance, making it easier for you to shop and enjoy.
- Bio-toilets and public toilets are available, but using nearby restaurants or hotels on crowded days is best.
- No cloakroom or locker facilities are available. So come luggage-free and have fun at the beach.
- The best time to visit the beach is the whole year. Except when it is wet owing to the northeast monsoon, which hits Chennai during December, the beach remains clean and available for the public throughout the year.
Marathons and other events that happens in Besant Nagar Beach
Running marathons and training in marathon events is a popular trend for Chennaites. People from all over the country happily gather around Elliots Beach Besant Nagar Beach and enthusiastically participate in whole and half marathons. Participants of all ages are welcome in such events. National days like Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated in true style by conducting marathon events. Besant Nagar is a proud host of many events throughout the year, except for the monsoon season. Schools, colleges, and software companies encourage their pupils to participate actively. During such events, it is a delight to watch people throng the roads in and around the Elliots beach.
Overall, whether you belong to Chennai or are a tourist, Edward Elliot’s Beach will never disappoint you. Every time you are there, you feel like a child. Playing with the purest tides, munching tasty snacks, or watching the beach forever—whatever you choose, this clean beach embraces you with warmth and serenity. It is for this reason that Elliot Beach, together with Nyantra Resorts, is ideal for social events with friends and families.