Besant Nagar (Tamil: பெசன்ட் நகர்) is one of Chennai's well known neighbourhoods, named after the famous lady theosophist Annie Besant, and adjoins the Theosophical Society. The Theosophical Society Headquarters is located here. It was founded in 1875, and is a worldwide body whose primary objective is Universal Brotherhood and is famed for its Banyan trees and serene settings. Kalakshetra Academy, the world famous dance school started by Rukmini Devi Arundale is also present in this locality. It is a part of Chennai which is inhabited by many famous personalities and affluent citizens. Alongside are many restaurants, cafes, shops and boutiques. The main attraction is the Elliot's Beach, named after Edward Elliot, Governor of Madras. It forms the end-point of the Marina Beach shore. It has the Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Temple along the shore and is sometimes nicknamed 'Bessie'. In the colonial era it was a fairly exclusive place limited to expatriates.
Besant Nagar was developed by Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) in late 1970s and early 1980s. It was developed in an area of about 4 sq km encompassing the surroundings of Indra Nagar and Shastri Nagar.TNHBdeveloped residential plots, apartments, commercial complexes, wide roads, school zones, bus terminus and large parks. The Central Government Staff Quarters, popularly known as C.P.W.D. quarters, is located here and contributed to the development of the locality. The St. John's English School and Junior College established in 1981, by the late Dr. G. Rajkumar is a well known educational institution here.The St.John's Bsant Nagar School is an excellent example of academic excellence and many people who have studied here have reached greater heights in the life. The school has stood for the flamboyant concept of teaching with discipline and the students are given their daily lessons with lessons of moral values as well side by side. The school, which has completed thirty years of service to the society continues to spread rays of education. Just opposite to the school is the residence of (former) World Chess Champion Vishwanath Anand.
Besant Nagar is an excellent example of organized government town planning by Tamil Nadu Housing Board(TNHB).[citation needed] Originally a quiet residential area, the popularity of the nearby Elliot's beach has led to a steady increase in traffic and commercial activities.
Besant Avenue - the road leading from Aavin Park to Besant Nagar - is quite busy and is shady due to trees planted on either side. Apart from the usually crowded and extremely vibrant Elliot's beach, it is also home to many popular places of worship - The Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple (inaugurated in 1977), Ashtalakshmi Kovil(1976), Arupadai Murugan Kovil (1986), Ratnagirishwarar Kovil (1968) and the Velankanni Church.
The area also boasts a wide variety of eat-outs from different parts of the country and globe like Besant Fast Foods, Heritage, Anjappar, Frankies, Eden, Cascade, Lotus Pond, Flamingo Vishranthi, Planet Yumm, Fruit Shop on Greams Road, Mash, Beach Palms (Neiydhal Panaidhal), French Loaf, Murugan Idli Shop, Tasty Jones, Nandanam, Dhabba Express, Barista, Khaana Khazaana and Haven Sampoorna that reflect the growing multiculturalism of the neighbourhood. Some residents have counted up to 50 restaurants/eateries in the neighbourhood between Mahatma Gandhi Road and Fifth Avenue.
It has a variety of Book stores like the Words Worths in the basement floor of Ramaniyam arcade, where the Cascade hotel is present. The Spencers Daily supermarket also provides a variety of provisional items. Limelite is one of the most elite unisex salons here. Nearby localities include Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur.
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