Besant Nagar
|
Besant Nagar பெசன்ட் நகர் |
|
|---|---|
| neighbourhood | |
Road in Besant Nagar
|
|
 Besant Nagar
Besant Nagar
Besant Nagar
|
|
| Coordinates: 13°00′01″N 80°16′00″E / 13.0002°N 80.2668°ECoordinates: 13°00′01″N 80°16′00″E / 13.0002°N 80.2668°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Chennai |
| Metro | Chennai |
| Zone | Adyar |
| Ward | 152 |
| Named for | Annie Besant |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Vehicle registration | TN-07 |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Chennai South |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Velachery (from 2010 Delimitaion) |
Besant Nagar is one of Chennai's neighborhoods, named after the noted lady theosophist Annie Besant. It is located on the coast of Bay of Bengal to the east, and bounded by Thiruvanmiyur to the South, Adyar to the West and Adyar Estuary to the North. The Theosophical Society, a worldwide body whose primary objective is Universal Brotherhood, founded in 1875, has its headquarters in this area famed for its Banyan trees and serene settings.
It is a part of Chennai which is inhabited by many famous personalities and affluent citizens. Alongside are many restaurants, cafes, shops and boutiques. The main attraction is the Elliot's Beach, named after Edward Elliot, Governor of Madras. It forms the end-point of the Marina Beach shore. It has the Annai Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Temple along the shore and is sometimes nicknamed 'Bessie'. In the colonial era it was a fairly exclusive place limited to expatriates.
Kalakshetra Academy, the world famous dance school started in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale and her husband George Arundale and their associates at the Theosophical Society is also present in this locality.
The Arulmigu Mahalakshmi Temple is located on the shores of Besant Nagar Beach. This is the only temple dedicated to Sri Mahalaksahmi, the Consort of Sriman Narayanan (Sri Mahavishnu), on the east coast in Tamil Nadu.
In 1971, the present Velankanni Church was a substation of St Louis Church, Adyar. Fr P.T. Arulappa, the then Parish Priest, St Louis Church, Adyar and a great Missionary started Our Lady of Vailankanni Church under trying conditions. The Archbishop of Madras Mylapore, Most Rev Dr R Arulappa, erected it as a separate Parish in 1973. The imposing 97 feet belfry was declared open by the then Chief Minister Dr M Karunanidhi 27 August 1972. On 15 August 1985 a bigger Church was blessed and consecrated by Archbishop Most Rev Dr R Arulappa. By the efforts of Rev Fr PJ Lawrence Raj, several extensions and renovations were made to this Shrine. A beautiful community hall, stalls, Museum and class room blocks were constructed. In May 2000, nearly 8 grounds were purchased and a beautiful stage was erected and dedicated to Jubilee 2000. In 2001 a small Chapel for the blessed Sacrament was built. In 2002 a grotto depicting the miracles of Our Lady of Good Health was created. In 2003, Mother Mary’s Square and Reconciliation Chapel was constructed. From 2000 to 2003, 3 grounds were purchased in which the new Convent building stands. On 8 September 2005 this Church was decreed as a Shrine of the Archdiocese of Madras ‘ Mylapore by the Most Rev Dr AM Chinnappa SDB, Archbishop of Madras ‘ Mylapore.
...
Wikipedia