The
longest beach of India and the second longest in the world is Marina beach.
The beach lies to the East of Chennai (Madras) at Kamarajar Road, three km
from the city center. The fine sandy beach said to be the longest beach in
India and one of the longest in Asia, extends to a length of 55 Km, from
Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram.
The beach can be ideally visited in the early mornings or in the late
evenings when the area throbs with activity. Food stalls, hawkers and other
entertainers line the beach. The Sunday afternoon market is worth a visit.
The large beach is often the venue for important state functions. Kite
flying is a common sport with the children at the beach and there are also
facilities for pony rides. As the undercurrent is very strong, bathing and
swimming can be dangerous, and should be done with utmost care.
In the evenings, the beach is virtually a fair ground with various kinds of
entertainment and food stalls lining the beach. Close to the Marina beach is
the Aquarium which has some of the most exotic collection of Tropical sea
fishes and fresh water fishes. The Aquarium gives a chance to have a closer
look at the aquatic life. The Ice House, which was used to store ice brought
from great lakes in North America, is South to the Aquarium.
How
to get There ?
» Air - The Kamaraj Domestic Airport and the Anna
International Airport are located at Meenambakkam about 20 kms from the
city. The airport can be reached either by road or by suburban trains for
which the alighting point is at Tirusulam, a km from the airport. Many major
international airlines have regular direct flights to Chennai. Domestic
airlines operate daily flights to all major cities of the country from the
domestic terminal.
» Rail - Chennai is connected by rail with all major
towns and cities in India. Main Railway Stations: Chennai Central and
Chennai Egmore. Trains operate from Egmore Junction to different parts of
the state while interstate trains originate from Chennai Central Station.
» Road - Chennai is connected by good network of
roads with all important places in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. Many
private operators are available for domestic and interstate transportation.
The distance from Chennai to other cities Bangalore (334kms), Calcutta
(1678kms), Hyderabad (704 kms), Trivandrum(790kms).
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