Besant Nagar

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Besant Nagar
state_name=Tamil Nadu
metro=Chennai
latd = 13.0002
longd=80.2668
altitude=
district=Chennai
parliament_const= Chennai South
assembly_const= Mylapore
taluk= Mylapore-Triplicane
corp_zone= Adyar| corp_ward= 152
postal_code=
website=
footnotes = |

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.

Originally a quiet residential area, the popularity of the nearby Elliot's beach, has led to a steady increase in traffic and commercial activities. Educational Facilities are also very good in this area, good schools such as Reserve Bank Staff Quarters School are situated in this area.

Besant Avenue - the road leading from Aavin Park 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 Besant Fast Foods, 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.

External links

* [http://varasiddhivinayakar.com/ Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple]