Anna Memorial

Anna Memorial, locally known as Anna Samadhi or as Anna Square, is a memorial structure built on the Marina beach in Chennai, India. It was built in memory of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C. N. Annadurai (1967–69), who was cremated here in 1969. The memorial is also the burial place of his protégé M. Karunanidhi. The memorial lies on the northern end of the Marina abutting the MGR Memorial, the burial place of Karunanidhi's archrivals, M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa.

View of the entrance and the Anna Arch
Anna Arch

History
Anna Memorial
Northern view of the memorial

In 1996–1998, during the reign of the DMK party, the memorial was remodelled at a cost of ₹ 27.5 million[1] and the entrance arch carried the design of the 'Rising Sun', the symbol of the DMK party. However, the design was removed after the opponent AIADMK party returned to power in May 2001.[2] The renovation resulted in the original tusk-shaped entrance arch giving way to a highly polished marble tiled structure, widened pathways, and building of ornamental octagonal mantapams. After the Indian Ocean tsunami struck the coastal parts of the state in December 2004, the memorial, along with other structures on the seashore, was affected. Subsequently, repair works were undertaken at a cost of ₹ 13.3 million.[1]

In 2012, the memorial was renovated at a cost of ₹ 12 million.[1] In 2018, when his protégé M. Karunanidhi, died, he was buried behind his mentor. A new memorial for Karunanidhi is being planned at a cost of ₹390 million rupees.[3][4]

Museum
Museum at the memorial
Inside the museum at the memorial

The memorial also houses a museum on Annadurai, which is located at the northern side.

See also

References
  1. "Rs. 8.90 crore for renovation of Anna, MGR memorials". The Hindu. Chennai. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  2. "Jaya inaugurates renovated MGR memorial". Chennai Patrika. Chennai: ChennaiPatrika.com. 10 December 2012. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  3. "Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin announces Rs 39 crore memorial for Karunanidhi | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India.
  4. "Tamil Nadu govt orders Karunanidhi memorial at Marina Beach, to be built on 2.21 acres for Rs 39 crore".
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