Edward Elliot's Beach

Edward Elliot's Beach
  • Besant Nagar Beach
  • Bessie
Type Sandy beach
Location Besant Nagar, Chennai, India
Coordinates 12°59′58″N 80°16′21″E / 12.999529°N 80.272411°E / 12.999529; 80.272411Coordinates: 12°59′58″N 80°16′21″E / 12.999529°N 80.272411°E / 12.999529; 80.272411
Etymology Edward Elliot
Operated by Corporation of Chennai

Elliot's Beach (popularly known as "Besant Nagar Beach" or "Bessie") is located in Besant Nagar, Chennai, India. It forms the end-point of the Marina Beach shore,[1] and is named after Edward Elliot, Governor of Madras.[2] It has the Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Kovil nearby.[3] In the colonial era, it was a fairly exclusive place limited to white people.

The beach is popular with local college students and families, which they now call as Marina Beach. There are many restaurants near the beach.

There is a police outpost at the beach and the crowd is policed by means of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to prevent drowning mishaps. In 2010, there were 11 drowning cases reported off Elliots Beach.[4] In August 2012, the government sanctioned two more all-terrain vehicles for patrolling the beach.[5]

Karl Schmidt memorial

Schmidt Memorial in the evening

A prominent landmark on this beach is the Karl Schmidt Memorial. The memorial is named after the Dutch sailor who lost his life in the process of saving a drowning swimmer.

Elliot's Beach is one of the cleanest beaches in the city of Chennai. It is located towards the south of Marina Beach and was an extremely calm and tranquil place. As the beach does not offer much activity, it is ideal for long walks. Moreover, the ones who want to soak their feet in the splashing sea water and lose themselves completely in the arms of the nature, head on. Elliot's Beach is quite a hit amongst both the tourists as well as the natives of Tamil Nadu.

Besant Nagar Beach Road

The Ashtalakshmi Temple is around 20 years old and has modern style architecture. It is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and appears different from the rest of the Temples in South India. In addition, there is the Schmidt Memorial, which is dedicated to a Dutch sailor, who lost his life while saving a drowning fellow. It is one of the most notable landmarks on the famous beach.

Elliots beach at night

See also

References

  1. ↑ Frederick, Prince (28 October 2012). "Marina vs Bessie". The Hindu (Chennai: The Hindu). Retrieved 30 Oct 2012.
  2. ↑ S, Muthaiah (2008). Madras. India: Association of British Scholars, Chennai. p. 215. ISBN 978-81-8379-468-8.
  3. ↑ "Elliot's Beach". Local109.in. Retrieved 15 Oct 2011.
  4. ↑ siva jasz, A. (5 January 2011). "10 all-terrain vehicles on city beaches before Kaanum Pongal". The Times of India (Chennai: The Times of India). Retrieved 2 Oct 2011.
  5. ↑ "Jaya sanctions 9 all-terrain vehicles for policing beaches". Business Line (Chennai: The Hindu). 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2 Aug 2012.

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