Aminjikarai

History

A delta formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river Cooum towards its journey to the Bay of Bengal is called Amainda Karai (which means shaped/formed/created land in Tamil) and later on Aminjikarai colloquially.

According to another version, the name derived from the word amanjutal, which means 'free community service'. Probably, at some stage, the banks of Cooum at this point (at Amanjikarai) should have broken, and the local people should have offered free community service in rebuilding the banks (karai) of the river.

Early days and present growth

In the early days, it was known as a suburb after the tollgate (near Pachaiappas College). Now, it is a central part of Chennai which links the residential Anna Nagar to the central business district of Chennai. It comprises Metha Nagar, Gill Nagar, Railway Colony, Collectrate Colony and Ayyavoo Naidu Colony.

Metha Nagar is connected by a small pedestrian bridge and it is almost like a peninsula.

Temples

Aminjikarai hosts Sri Ekambareshwara Kamakshi Amma temple and very close to this is Sri Varadaraja temple. Because of these two temples in very close vicinity some people refer to Aminjikarai as mini Kancheepuram. The Mangali Amma temple (Ellai Amma) is also located in between Toll-gate and Aminjikarai. Ekambareshwara and Varadaraja temple's Brahmotsavam is a famous festival held between March and May of every year. Pradosham is also a famous event at the Ekambareshwara temple. Near that ekhambareswarer temple, there is vinayagar temple called " Varasidhi Vinayagar temple". It is well popular for vinayagar chathurthi festival.

Mosque

Aminjikarai also has a mosque and burial ground on Poonamallee high road. The name of the mosque is Jammia Masjid. There is another masjid in Nelson Manickam road called Fathima Islamic cultural society

Churches

Sant Nirankari Mission There is also a religious gather centre of the Sant Nirankari Mission in Ayyavoo Nayudu colony

Shopping

Aminjikarai offers shopping facilities for people of all classes. The Aminjikarai Market hosts very fresh vegetables, some roadside makeshift vegetable shops offer very fresh vegetables at nominal rates. There is a huge shopping mall - Ampa Skywalk at the intersection of Nelson Manickam Road and Poonamallee High Road. The mall has 7 multiplex cinemas, spacious hypermarket, food court, restaurants and branded retail outlets.

Schools

Aminjikarai hosts the following schools

Public transport

Aminjikarai has two bus stands:

The nearest suburban railway station is Nungambakkam railway station, which is just 2 km (1.2 mi) from Aminjikarai.

The proximity to the Chennai Metropolitan Bus Terminus (CMBT) has made Aminjikarai one of the most accessible routes in Chennai.

Hospitals

Aminjikarai has many hospitals, including Billroth Hospitals which is a fully fledged multispeciality hospital. MR hospital a dedicated Renal (kidney) Transplant centre is located on the Govindan street.