Beaches of Tamil Nadu
Marina Beach - A Long Stretch of Coastal Delight
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Claimed To Be Second Longest In The World
Main Attractions: Aquarium, Anna And MGR Samadhis, Icehouse, Senate-House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College
About Marina Beach: Golden sand, good surf and a shimmering clean blue sea, this in a nutshell, is Marina beach. This beach is counted among one of the longest beaches in Asia. Its 12-km long stretch was made beautiful by the wonderful facelift given by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff in the early 1880's, and is a major tourist attraction today.
Marina beach is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. Watching the sun set and rise from the beach is an enthralling experience. Though bathing and swimming can be dangerous, as the undercurrent is very strong, even then people come for swimming here. In the evenings, the beach is virtually a fair ground with various kinds of entertainment and food stalls lining the beach.
With its natural sandy beauty and spacious promenade and beautiful gardens, the beach is a major attraction for tourists visiting Chennai. It has acquired a South Indian aura with vendors hawking wares ranging from shell and glass baubles to kites and fruit juices. The Marina, however, is large enough to accommodate all visitors as well as the hawkers and is often the venue for important state functions.
Mahabalipuram Beach
Location:In Mahabalipuram, 58-km South Of Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Main Attractions: Stone carvings, Caves, Rock Cut Temples
About Mahabalipuram Beach:
Mahabalipuram, also known, as "Mamallapuram" is 58-km, south of Chennai, nestling on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, was once a port of the Pallavas. The Pallavas have created many marvellous monuments with Sculptural Panels, Caves, Monolithic Rathas (chariots) and Temples.
Once a thriving port trading with many distant nations, Pallava chisels have breathed life into stone. The Pallavas art at this place emphasises robust earthly beauty, imbibed with life. These monumental splendours and the sunny beach resorts attract tourists from all over the world.
A crocodile farm, snake venom extracting centre, schools of art and sculpture and a wide choice of resorts along the beach draw holiday-seekers all round the year.
Attractions of Mahabalipuram Beach
Dakshinachitra
While travelling from Chennai to Mahabalipuram visit Dakshinachitra - a heritage centre. Here traditional crafts persons and folk artists work and perform in the reconstructed period settings of 19th century homes, streets and workspaces of the Southern States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Arjuna's Penance
The world's largest bas-relief measuring 27m x 9m is the pride of Mahabalipuram. This huge whaleback shaped rock contains figures of Gods, Demigods, men, beasts, birds and infact represents the entire creation.
Five Rathas
These are five monolithic temples, each created in a different style. They are also known as the "Pancha Pandava Rathas", and the four of the Rathas are supposed to have scooped out of a single rock formation.
Tiger's Cave
It is 4-km north of the main monument complex. It was an open-air theatre, where cultural programmes are held. Though it is very near the sea, the place is serene and calm.
Shore Temple
This is one of the oldest temples in south India. It belongs to the early 8th century AD and is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The monuments are floodlit at night and so it is possible to enjoy their beauty after sunset.
Kanyakumari Beach
Location: Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Famous For: Spectacular Sunrises and Sunsets
Main Attractions: Vivekananda Rock and The Sangam
About Kanyakumari Beach:
At the southern most tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lays Kanyakumari (also spelt as Kanniyakumari), an important pilgrim center. Kanyakumari is also famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days.
The sea is fairly rough, so it is entertaining to watch it beat itself against the rocks and then subside, before it gathers itself up for another attack. With long stretches of sands of many hues, the beach offers a welcome change. A variety of shells are on sale on the Kanyakumari beach.
The beach is a beautiful sight with multi-coloured sand, but it does not really offer one the opportunity to sunbathe on soft golden sands, or to frolic in the waves either. The seashore is rocky and dangerous, and there is a manmade wall running along it. People are warned to stay off the rocks, and when if someone ventures out of bounds, a watchful policeman quickly and severely reprimands him or her. There is a lighthouse from where one can get a panoramic view.
Major Attractions of Kanyakumari Beach
The Sangam
Sangam is the meeting point of the three major bodies of water, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is a bathing ghat, with steps leading into the water and a sort of lagoon formed between land by a series of rocks. People bathe and jump around, getting lightly battered by the remains of waves, which are washing over the rocks.
Vivekananda's Rock
Kanyakumari is famous for Vivekananda's rock, a huge stone rising out of the sea, on which Swami Vivekananda is said to have meditated. It now houses the statue of Vivekananda and is a memorial to him. Not surprisingly, Kanyakumari is a popular destination for Vivekananda's followers, so there are many Bengalis here, and some Bengali hotels and restaurants are available too.