Semmozhi Poonga is the first of its kind in Chennai, the city’s very own botanical garden built across 20 acres, by the Horticulture department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Located in the heart of the city, the garden was originally a drive-in restaurant owned by a hotelier, and is now one of the prominent attractions of Chennai. A refreshing sight amidst the crowded metropolis, the botanical garden is designed to co-exist, as a greenhouse conservatory of rare plants from other parts of the world, and for public recreation.
The key highlights
The botanical garden is just over 10 years old, and is more of a middle earth for enthusiastic botanists, wandering tourists, and for the city residents’ young and old. Built for recreation and rejuvenation, the botanical garden is designed to unite nature and people, and to create green pockets to improve the quality of air and combat the rising pollution in the city. Home to over 500 species of flora and fauna, and other rare varieties of plants from China and Thailand, the garden is also a research center for horticulturists, and a greenhouse for nurturing plants.
The big and wide arched entrance to the botanical garden is entwined with more than 7,000 varieties of plants and floral arrangements and is inbuilt with self-irrigation and drainage systems. Stone paved pathways, run all through the garden with built-in seating galleries, water fountains, ponds with floating lilies, and a must-see attraction is the butterfly garden, sculpted in the shape of a butterfly with more than 30 different kinds of flowering plants to attract butterflies for pollen germination.
Step into the botanical garden, for short nature breaks, or over the weekend, or become a member and get free access to visit every day for morning walks, and joggers, or just to spend time with nature. The garden is adorned with the finest ornamental trees and aromatic herbs, medicinal and non-medicinal varieties of plants, orchids, water plants, creepers, cactus varieties, and the beautiful bonsai trees and bamboo from china. About two-third of the plants and floral varieties at the botanical garden are from China, and are suitable for the warm and humid weather of Chennai.
Interestingly enough, the garden is designed to promote spending more time outdoors with nature and as a result, you will never get bored touring the 22 thematic gardens, each built with a specific theme like maze, orchids, herbs, ornamental, miniature trees, sculptural and many others. For bonsai lovers, the botanical garden is a visual treat with the Ficus varieties, and for others keen on exploring, there is the sunken garden, the fern garden, the rock garden and the water garden, that are sure to keep you on your toes.
Opening time & ticket rates
To plan a trip with family, or just to go on a meandering walk, Semmozhi Poonga is open to the public from 10am-7:30pm every day, except on Tuesdays, and the entry fee is Rs 15 for adults, and Rs 10 for children. For the morning risers, a monthly pass is available at Rs 150, with member-only access to the garden from 6am-8am every day, and also parking is available for cars, 2-wheelers and big vehicles. Parking charges are between Rs 15 to Rs 75, and camera/handycam is charged at Rs 50 for photography. Serene, and tranquil, come and visit the Semmozhi Poonga, a time to connect and bond with nature at its best!
Address & Contact
Cathedral Road,
Teynampet, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu 600086
Phone: 1800-425-31111 (TN tourism)
