Marina Beach - A Walking Tour

Marina Beach in Chennai is often described as the second longest urban beach in the world. Whether or not one measures it in exact kilometres, there is no denying its scale or significance. Chennai may have malls, cinema halls, temples, parks, and amusement centres, but for generations of Chennaites, Marina has remained the most cherished public space. It has been so for centuries, and it is unlikely to change.

A walk along the Marina Beach Road in the early morning, when the sun rises gently over the Bay of Bengal, or in the late evening, when the breeze cools the city, is an experience in itself. Technically, the coastline stretches much farther, but the section between Napier Bridge and the Lighthouse is what most people refer to simply as “the Marina.”

The walk usually begins at Napier Bridge, one of Chennai’s most recognisable landmarks. Built in 1869 by Francis Napier, the Governor of Fort St. George, the bridge spans the Cooum River just before it meets the sea. From here, the wide stretch of the beach and the ceremonial road unfold ahead.

Soon after comes Anna Square, where the memorial of C. N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, stands. Adjacent to it is the memorial of M. G. Ramachandran, fondly known as MGR, another former Chief Minister and a towering figure in Tamil cinema. These memorials have become part of the political and emotional landscape of the city.

Opposite the MGR Memorial stands the stately campus of the University of Madras. Some of its buildings date back to the British period and remain important heritage structures. Within the campus stands a statue of Queen Victoria, quietly reminding visitors of another era.

As one proceeds along the stretch, Marina’s unique feature becomes evident — the long row of statues lining the promenade. Among the earliest installed is the well-known Labourers’ Statue, or “Uzhaippaalar Silai,” depicting workers straining together, symbolising collective effort. It remains one of the most powerful visual icons of the beach.

Nearby stands the statue of Subramania Bharathi, the fiery Tamil poet and freedom fighter. Across the road lies the heritage building of the Public Works Department. Further along is the statue of U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer, the scholar who painstakingly brought ancient Tamil literary works back to light.

The stretch also includes Tilakar Thidal, once the venue for major public gatherings addressed by national leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Bharathi. Though the original setting has changed, a plaque marks its historical importance.

Perhaps the most visually striking statue along the Marina is that of Kannagi, drawn from the epic Silappadikaram. Opposite stands Presidency College, another distinguished institution with colonial-era architecture forming part of Chennai’s academic heritage.

Continuing further, one encounters statues of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Thiruvalluvar, the revered Tamil poet, and the missionary-scholar G. U. Pope. Across from Pope’s statue is that of Annie Besant. Close by is the historic building popularly known as Vivekananda House or the Ice House, where Swami Vivekananda stayed during his visit to Chennai.

The promenade also features statues of Bharathidasan and Avvaiyar, with Queen Mary’s College standing opposite them. In recent years, a statue of the renowned actor Sivaji Ganesan has been added to this line of icons. Nearby stands an Ashoka Chakra installation.

Among all these landmarks, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, walking resolutely with his staff, remains one of the most photographed and recognised symbols of Chennai. The beach behind it is often referred to by locals as “Gandhi Beach.”

Finally, as the road approaches its southern end, a few more statues such as those of Kamaraj and Veeramamunivar appear before the towering Lighthouse comes into view. Opposite the Lighthouse stand the All India Radio station and the DGP office, completing this iconic stretch.

Marina is not merely a beach. It is a timeline of Chennai’s history, politics, literature, and culture, laid out in stone along the sea. When time permits, walk this stretch slowly. The breeze, the waves, and the silent row of statues together tell the story of the city.

Happy travelling.