Anna Nagar is a prime residential hub in Chennai. Located in north-west Chennai, it derives its name from Tamil leader C.N. Annadurai, the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Anna Nagar’s development was modeled in accordance with the standards followed in the western world such as the United States. This has ensured the well-planned development of the area, eliminating clutter and providing adequate spaces for vehicular traffic and pedestrians. The naming of roads and streets in Anna Nagar is consistent with the standards followed in the western world. Being a leading residential hub, Anna Nagar has evolved as a social infrastructure featuring various schools & colleges, hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment centers. The area is also home to several places of historical and cultural importance. If you love to explore your neighborhood, here are 10 things to do near Anna Nagar.
#1 Anna Nagar Tower Park:
Officially, the park’s name is Dr. Visveswaraya Tower Park, but most people call it Anna Nagar Tower Park or just Tower Park. The park is among the largest in Chennai, spread across an area of 15.35 acre. One of the most popular attractions in the park is the 12-storied tower, which stands at a height of 135 ft. It is the tallest tower in Chennai. The tower was constructed in 1968 and renovated in 2010. Earlier, the tower used to provide panoramic views of the city, but now it has been closed by officials due to security reasons. However, the tower is not the only thing to see in the park. There are lots of other things such as a lake, deck for bird watching, kids’ play area, badminton court, skating rink, and amphitheater. The Anna Nagar Tower Park is a great place for morning and evening walks and for practicing yoga. The park is frequented by families and couples throughout the day.
#2 Second Avenue:
This is an arterial road passing through Anna Nagar and it is home to several commercial establishments, shops, and restaurants. If you are in a mood to shop or eat, you can head towards Second Avenue. KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s and several other restaurants are located in and around Second Avenue. For shopping, you can choose Croma, Tanishq, Max, iStore, Levi’s Store, etc. There are a number of local jewelry shops in the area as well. Most of the leading banks have branches in and around Second Avenue in Anna Nagar.
#3 Anna Arch:
The Anna Arch was constructed in 1985 by MGR. CN Annadurai was MGR’s mentor and the arch was built in his memory. The Anna Arch has a story of its own, as it has survived demolition attempts in the past. In 2012, the arch was planned to be demolished to construct a flyover on Poonamallee High Road, but it was saved at the last moment by the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The flyover design was later altered to protect the Arch, something that signifies the importance of Anna Arch.
#4 Rail Museum:
The Anna Nagar Rail Museum is managed by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. At the rail museum, you can learn a great deal about Indian Railways. You can explore a wide variety of railway engines including steam engines and get to know about their history. Kids really love this place, as they get the chance to ride in a toy train that runs on a narrow gauge rail track. A cafeteria is also located inside the museum, where you can get all the basic food and drinks.
#5 Ampa Skywalk:
This is a leading shopping mall, spread over 3 floors with a total retail space of around 350,000 sq. ft. Most of the national and international brands have their stores in this mall. Apart from the retail shops, the mall features a dedicated food court and a games zone. The mall is also home to a 7-screen multiplex.
#6 Metro station:
If you have interest in metro rail, you will be delighted to know that Anna Nagar has two metro stations. One is the Anna Nagar Tower Metro Station and the other is the Thirumangalam Metro Station. Both the metro stations are located near Second Avenue, the foremost commercial area in Anna Nagar.
#7 Lakes:
There are several lakes near Anna Nagar where you can find your inner peace or spend quality time with your loved ones or friends. Some of the biggest lakes near Anna Nagar include Puzhal Lake, Ambattur Lake, Korattur Lake, and Retteri Lake. These lakes are home to a wide variety of birds.
#8 Religious centers:
Anna Nagar is home to many religious centers including famous temples and churches. Some of the most visited religious centers include Ayyappa Temple, Balamurugan Temple, Chandra Mouleeshwarar Temple, Shiva Vishnu Temple, Siru Tirupathi – Perumal Temple, Lourdes Shrine Church, Saint Luke’s Church, Divine Mercy Church, Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church, T E L C Anbunathar Lutheran Church, CSI Emmanuel Church, etc.
#9 Thousand Lights Mosque:
This is one of the largest mosques in the country and is frequented by local as well as foreign tourists. It was built in 1810 and features a multi-dome design. It is famous for its architectural magnificence. A thousand oil-lamps are lit in the main area of the mosque on special occasions, which explains how it got its name.
#10 Cooum River:
This is the only river that flows through Anna Nagar. It passes through Anna Nagar at its southern boundary and drains into the Bay of Bengal near the popular Marina Beach. The Cooum River is one of the shortest in the world, so it would be fun to explore this extraordinary creation of nature. The river covers a distance of around 72 km.
Anna Nagar is perfect for people looking for a good place to live in Chennai. You can choose to live on rent or plan to buy a property in Anna Nagar. With two metro stations in the area, you can commute to any part of Chennai with considerable ease. With a well-developed infrastructure and lots of places to explore, Anna Nagar is a great place to live and spend quality time with family and friends.
About The Author
lokaa
Lokaa Developer is inspired by the excellence of the elements of nature. Our aim is to create architectural masterpieces across India. With 5+ years of experience in the Real Estate industry, We are here to change the game of Real Estate in Chennai!
