Chennai Botonical Garden

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Chennai, often referred to as the gateway to South India, is home to numerous tourist attractions. As the city lies in the southern region of India, many of its popular spots are temples. However, there are a few notable exceptions such as the Egmore Museum, amusement parks, and its beaches. Among these rare non-religious attractions, the botanical garden stands out as a unique addition to the city's landscape.

Unlike its zoological park and deer park, Chennai did not have a botanical garden until 2010. That year, the Tamil Nadu Government’s Horticulture Department established the city’s first botanical garden. Interestingly, the garden is located on a historically significant site that once housed the famous Woodlands Drive-In restaurant. Many of the trees and plants now seen in the garden were originally part of that restaurant’s premises.

This garden is named Semmozhi Poonga and covers about 20 acres in the heart of the city, near the Anna Flyover in the Gemini area. It hosts more than 500 plant species and around 80 types of trees, including several rare varieties not found elsewhere in Chennai. In a city known for its dry and hot climate, the sight of vibrant flowers and lush greenery in Semmozhi Poonga is truly refreshing.


Happy travelling.




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