Marina Beach, Urban beach in Chennai, India
Marina Beach is a long stretch of sand along the Bay of Bengal in Chennai, running for 13 kilometers parallel to the coast. Wide paved walkways and palm trees line the shoreline, creating a broad open space between the road and the water.
The promenade opened in 1884 when British colonial authorities built a paved path along the coast. Over the following decades, people gathered here during India's independence movement for rallies and public speeches.
Statues of Tamil literature figures and political leaders stand along the promenade, reflecting the regional heritage through permanent exhibitions.
Strong currents make swimming dangerous, so entering the water is not allowed. The shore fills up mostly in the late afternoon and evening, when large groups gather for walking and outdoor activities.
Olive ridley sea turtles come ashore between October and April to lay their eggs in the sand. Conservation groups mark the nesting sites with fences to protect the nests from visitors and stray dogs.
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