Besant Nagar
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| ?Besant Nagar Chennai • Tamil Nadu • India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| District(s) | Chennai |
| Parliamentary constituency | Chennai South |
| Assembly constituency | Mylapore |
| Zone | Adyar |
| Ward | 152 |
Besant Nagar is one of Chennai's most elite neighbourhoods, named after the famous lady theosophist Annie Besant, and adjoins the Theosophical Society. The Theosophical Society HeadQuarters located here, is famed for its Banyan trees and serene settings. It was founded in 1875, and is a worldwide body whose primary objective is Universal Brotherhood. Kalakshetra Academy, the world famous dance school started by Rukmini Devi Arundale is also present in this locality.
Besant Nagar is primarily a residential neighbourhood comprising of mainly posh dwellings, but also comprises a few slum colonies, mostly belonging to the fishermen toiling the seas near Besant Nagar Beach. It is also home to a number of eminent personalities residing in the area. Originally a quiet residential area, the popularity of the nearby Elliot's Beach, has led to a steady increase in commercial activities.Educational Facilities are also very good in this area,good schools such as St.Johns English School and Junior College are situated in this area.
The road leading from Malar Hospitals 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, Ashtalakshmi Kovil, Arupadai Murugan Kovil, Ratnagirishwarar Kovil and the Velankanni Church.
The area also boasts a wide variety of eat-outs like Eden, Cascade, Lotus Pond, Subway, Vishranthi, Planet Yumm, Fruit Shop on Greams Road, Tharavad, Dhabba Express, Barista, Khaana Khazaana and Kumarakom 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 V Avenue. Nearby localities include Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur.
