Edward Elliots Beach

Lord Edward Elliot was the British Governor of Madras Presidency in the early 1800. He was one of the many English Administrators - who were held in esteem and respect by the local population. Lord Ripon who was the Viceroy of India was instrumental in establishing forest conservation effort in a systematic manner in India amongst other reforms. This earned him the sobriquet - 'Lord Ripon Engal Appan' from the Madras people. The Madras Corporation's H.Q. still bears his name as 'Ripon Building'. Same way Edward Elliot's name graces the beach of Besant Nagar.

Earlier Elliots Beach was clean and frequented by the locals from Adyar and nearby area. Commercialization began after 2004. What was once famous as a clean neighborhood for a morning or evening stroll on the sands of beaches, has turned into a crowded beach front. The Oliver Ridley Sea Turtles no longer frequent this beach. Earlier you could spot a few of them if you tip toe near the broken bridge. The broken Bridge on the Besant Nagar beach was originally built in 1967 to link Santhome/Foreshore Estate with the south of Adyar. It lasted barely for a decade before it collapsed partially earning the epithet - Broken Bridge. It