Located in the magnificent metropolis of Chennai, Semmozhi Poonga is a lush botanical garden established in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture and Agricultural Engineering of Tamil Nadu. Imagined in 2010, the magnificent garden is the first botanical garden in Chennai. The garden is spread over an area of about 20 acres and is located on Cathedral Road. The Garden is home to temperate and tropical flora and various plant species.
It is replete with both native and exotic plants, including a variety of bonsai species, shrubs, medicinal herbs, and aromatic stems. If one is a nature lover or a botanical enthusiast, this is an ideal place to spend a weekend. Semmozhi Poonga is divided into eight sub-gardens of special varieties such as bonsai, herbal, exotic, tree court, and mural walk. The colorful garden is a feast for all the senses of the mind.
Combining natural shades and blending natural fragrances and creating a paradise-like landscape. The garden is also famous for its forbidden duck pond and a beautiful golden garden featuring flowers of different colors of gold. The park has twenty-five thematic gardens, with attractions including water and rock gardens, fern gardens, and butterfly gardens. This unique garden has a plethora of rare plant species and natural bounties from across the country making it the perfect place for exploration and education.
Semmozhi Poonga | Places to Visit Around
Arulmigu Kapaleshwar Temple– Located at a distance of about 3.6 km from Semmozhi Poonga, Arulmigu Kapaleshwar Temple is a Hindu place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva. In Hindu mythology, the supreme deity Lord Shiva is worshiped along with the goddess Parvati in her Kargamble avatar. The temple is colorful and holds high cultural significance in Chennai. Its architecture is a signature of South Indian building styles.
Government Museum of Chennai– Situated 2.5 km from the Garden, the Government Museum of Chennai is a visit to the quaint town of Nostalgia. Established in 1851, the museum is the second largest museum in India. This museum of human history and culture is filled with antiquities of Roman, European, and Indian origin.
Vivekananda House– Located at a distance of about 4 km from the park, Vivekananda House is an important site in Chennai, which celebrates the nine-day stay of Swami Vivekananda after his spectacular return from the west.
Chetpet Ecopark – Situated at a distance of about 4 km from Semmozhi Poonga, Chetpet Ecopark is a blooming garden built around a lake. Equipped with a children’s play area, canteens, and multilevel parking, Chetpet Acopark is one of the most well-maintained parks in the city.
Semmozhi Poonga | Places to Eat around
Semmozhi Poonga is located in the center of Chennai, which is not only geographical but also the food capital of Tamil Nadu.
Lotus Thai- Located about 3 minutes from the park, Lotus Thai is an exquisite cuisine restaurant specializing in Thai cuisine. The interiors are designed in the traditional Buddhist style, which gives the place a quaint, minimalist look. The restaurant is known for its kind staff and quick service.
Aqua- Situated only 1.3 km from Semmozhi Poonga, Aqua is a fine dining restaurant known for its poolside seating style and refreshing atmosphere. This vegetarian-friendly restaurant offers guests the luxury of spending summers next to a magnificent water body while eating the most delicious food.
Mandarin Chinese Restaurant- Located just 500 meters from Semmozhi Poonga, Mandarin Chinese Restaurant is a delicious Chinese food restaurant known for its delicious food and inviting decor. It is a casual dining restaurant known for its simplified Chinese interiors and fast service.
A2- Park Chennai – This fine-dining restaurant, known for classy decor, lip-smooching food, and refreshing drinks, is located at a distance of km from Semmozhi Poonga. Famous for its sushi, Japanese, and Asian cuisine, this famous food joint has a diverse menu of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Best Time to Visit
The Botanical Garden is replete with many seasonal species of plants. So the park has to offer different things in different seasons.
Summer: Tropical flowers bloom a lot during the summer season in Semmozhi Poonga. However, the heat of Chennai makes the park a bit difficult and tiring to explore its full potential. Summer in Chennai is from March to June.
Winter: The best time to visit the park is during the winter season which lasts from November to February in Chennai. The city enjoys coolers during winters ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Temperate flowers and shrubs grow during this season as the city is filled with a fresh sea breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions About Semmozhi Poonga
Q. What is Semmozhi Poonga famous for?
A – Semmozhi Poonga is a botanical garden in Chennai famous for a wide variety of flora and rare exotic plant species. With many species native to India, plants from different countries are imported into the park to maintain its diversity.
The park is also known for its artificial duck pond and butterfly garden. Semmozhi Poonga has twenty-five thematic gardens filled with shrubs, medicinal herbs, tall and small trees, creepers, climbers, and bonsai. One of its most famous gardens is the Golden Garden which has various species of amber-colored flowers. It is an excellent place for an educational trip or a natural retreat from the fast-paced modern world.
Q. Is Semmozhi Poonga worth visiting?
With its playful duck pond, eye-catching exotic flowers, and fragrant gardens, Semmozhi Poonga is a blessing to all its visitors. Visiting this captivating park with the most attractive natural features and next to negligible entrance fees is definitely worth your time and money.
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Q. What bus to take from Sholinganallur to Semmozhi Poonga?
A – 19 Km – Distance from Sholinganallur to Semmozhi Bus Stop
Q. Where is Semmozhi Poonga in Chennai?
A – Semmozhi is situated on the Cathedral Road- Anna Salai junction in Teynampet.
Q. Where is Semmozhi Poonga?
A – Semmozhi is situated on the Cathedral Road- Anna Salai junction in Teynampet.
Q. What is the Semmozhi Poonga Entry Fee?
A – Entry Fees and Timings to the Botanical Garden Chennai. The Entry Fee for adults is Rs.15 and for children below 10 years of age is Rs.10.
Q. What are the Semmozhi Poonga timings?
A – Timings : 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM, Closed on Tuesdays.
