Pictures of the New Building for Tamil Nadu Legislature

Although construction is not entirely complete, the Tamil Nadu Legislature officially moved to its new home from Fort St. George in March 2010.  The government complex off Anna Salai in downtown Chennai is known as the Omandurar Government Estate and houses the assembly and secretariat as well as the offices for the cabinet and chief ministers. The cost of construction so far has exceeded Rs. 9100 million.

New Tamil Nadu Legislative Building Photo

Omandurar Picture, Chennai

Tamil Nadu Secretariat Complex Image

Chennai Lighthouse

Chennai's lighthouse is the only one in India with an elevator.  Unveiled in 1977, the Chennai lighthouse is the fourth built in this spot. As you can see from the Chennai lighthouse photo taken on Marina Beach, the sea-facing side of the triangular structure is horizontally striped red and white.  Tourists are not allowed inside the landmark but there is a lighthouse museum planned where visitors can see the 11-story structure up close.  If you are in Chennai, the lighthouse is easy to spot along Beach Road, also known as Kamarajar Salai at the intersection of Santhome High Road.

Chennai Lighthouse Picture

Marina Beach, Chennai

Marina Beach in Chennai, India is the word's second longest beach, but its probably the most un-swimmable beach on earth.  Chennai is a port city and pollution from its rivers, which are pretty much big sewage pits, all end up in the Bay of Bengal.  Not a very romantic thought, but people don't swim here.

The pictures here are from a hot February afternoon.  Temperature over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.  Since people here hide from the sun rather than embrace it, no one was really on the beach but the regular vendors. At any one time, there may be thousands of vendors selling everything from cheap, plastic toys to ice cream to horseback rides.  These pictures show drink and snack vendors.  One isn't open or maybe has closed until the evenings when it's a bit cooler and people come out to walk along the beach.  Any people on the beach were at the shoreline, just standing to catch a breeze.

Tholkappia Poonga, Chennai

Adayar Poonga is now renamed as Tholkappia Poonga now. The Adayar Eco Park was restored recently and was open to the public on 22 January to the public.