Abutting the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has one of the loveliest beaches. The 4.5 km long beach is the second longest beach in the world. A stroll along the Marina, whether in the morning or evening, refreshes one.The old Saracenic buildings dotting the other side of Kamarajar Salai, a main road along the Marina, would bring back memories of good old British Raj. The Senate House of the University of Madras and the old buildings now housing government offices, such as Ezhilagam and the Director General of Police office. They wear a mystical look in the morning when the Sun rises.

A walkway along the beach bordered with a green lawn entices you to go on a leisurely stroll. At the intersections of this promenade stand beautiful statues of Tamil scholars, patriots, and noted personalities. Of these, the Statue of Labour is a splendid sculpture depicting the efforts of a team of labourers who are at strenuous, manual work. The sea in this part is not recommended for swimming, as the currents are violent.

Statues on the Beach

Mahatma Gandhi: Father of the nation who spear headed the freedom struggle in the non-violent mode. Subash Chandra Bose, the Lion of Bengal, who led (Indian National Army) against the British. He is believed to be dead in an air crash. His death still remains a mystery.

Sir Thomas Munro: Former Governor of erstwhile Madras presidency. He was known for his humanism and sense of justice. He persuaded the then colonial administratators to induct native Indians into regular administrative machinery. His statue has been erected at the middle Anna Salai close to Gymkhana club. The elegant equestrian statue compels attention.

Tilak Bhavan: Mahatma Gandhi spent the historic night of March18, 1919, when the sad news of passing of the Rowlatt Act reached him. Before the day dawned, the idea of a nation wide strike dawned on him. This later blossomed into Satyagraha. Referring to this Gandhiji writes: 'I was still in that twilight condition between sleep and consciousness when suddenly the idea broke upon me it was as if in a dream - that we should call upon the country to observe a general hartal - the whole of India from one end to the other, towns as well as villages observed a complete hartal on that day. It was a most wonderful spectacle.'

Tiruvalluvar: Was born in 30 B.C. He authored the world renowned Tirukkural couplets that shines the torch of right living for the mankind as a whole. Tirukkural has been translated into 60 languages world wide. He lived in Mylapore, Chennai.

Bharathidasan: Kankasuppurathinam was his real name. As an ardent disciple of poet laureate Bharathi, he named himself as his slave. He celebrated the Dravidian movement, and he composed many poems highlighting the plight of the poor and decrying capitalism.

Kamarajar: The late chief minister of Tamil Nadu, made a revolution in education by offering free education for all the poor up to secondary school level. His period is said to be the golden period of Tamil Nadu state.

Avvaiyar: A great woman poet of Sangam period in Tamil, she wrote a number of poems of beauty and learning.

Swami Sivananda: Medical practitioner turned Saint, founded Divine life Society.

Thanthai Periyar: Thanthai means father. He is the fore most leader of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu. He practised and propogated atheism and fought against superstitions.

Kannagi: The much worshipped heroine of 'Silappathikaaram', an epic in Tamil.