Sholinganallur

The etymology given by Tamil scholars is "chola" + "angam" + "nallur" , which indicates that Sholinganallur was once part of a Chola settlement, probably during 8th century before which this used to be a marshland with a mango forest.

As of 2011 India census,[2] the population of Sholinganallur reached about 7.5 lakh, making it one of the most densely populated places in Tamil Nadu. The Sholinganallur Assembly constituency witnessed the highest population influx in Tamil Nadu in the last seven years. According to official final electoral list released on 2021 the number of voters has risen to 6,94,845 electors and continues to be highest number of electors in Tamil Nadu. It is the fastest and highest migration happened in the state.

Sholanganallur is located at the junction connecting East Coast Road to Tambaram, Mudichur and Adyar to Mahabalipuram, along Old Mahabalipuram Road.[3] It is an important junction in Southern part of Greater Chennai. It is at a distance of 14.3 km from Tambaram, 2 km away from East Coast Road (ECR), 34.8 km away from Mamallapuram and 13.5 km away from Adyar. Sholanganallur is well connected by road ways. Many IT companies are located within 5 km. It is well connected with the city with MTC & TNSTC-villupuram and many share autorichshaws.

Sholanganallur is home to a number of BPO and IT/ITES companies. All major IT companies like Wipro,[4] Infosys,[5] Tata Consultancy Services, Automotive Robotics, Flintobox, 4iapps solutions, PayPal, eBay Inc, Exemplarr Worldwide, HCL Technologies, Cognizant (CTS), Tech Mahindra, Screen Plus have their own facilities in Sholinganallur. Almost all major IT/ITES companies like, Accenture India,[6] eBay, Trident Solutions,[7] American Megatrends,[8] PayPal[9] have their presence here.

The Suburb's population continues to grow rapidly as more and more employees and family of IT professionals (employed in the neighborhood) continue to move in and take up residence at Sholanganallur. Proximity to employment opportunities, good asset appreciation, outstanding road Infrastructure, proximity to beaches at ECR and other entertainment venues continues to attract more residents to this suburb.

Tamil Nadu Government's TNHB has created a satellite township at Shollinganallur with IT Parks, arterial roads, schools, parks, play grounds and bus Terminus. The TNHB township of 4000 dwellings is situated next to the upcoming 200 acres (0.81 km²) Rs1000 crore National Maritime university complex. DLF is currently building 3500 apartment complex in Sholanganallur. This complex will have a hospital, school and other amenities. Popular budget serviced apartments are available, which are mostly used by Corporates.

Popular restaurants such as Agusthya, Ponnusamy (Chettinad), Daawath (Mougal)and Thamburan(Malabar) are located here. Hanumaya mess and Bhaskar Andhra Mess, are two local low budget Cafeteria popular with people from all walks of life is also located here.

Housing area of Sholanganallur includes Akkarai, Panaiyur, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, MGR Nagar, and Uthandi (ECR TollPlaza), which are located on the East Coast Road.

Multi-speciality hospitals located around Sholanganallur are Adithya Bone & Joint Speciality Clinic, LifeLine Multi Speciality Hospital, Global Hospitals, Chettinad Hospitals, Swaram Hospitals, Life care, Om Sakthi Clinic and Physio Pulze Physiotherapy Clinic.

Colleges include St Joseph's Institute of Technology(A Unit of St Joseph's college of engineering) KCG College of Technology(A Unit of Hindustan Group of Institutions), Jeppiaar Engineering College, Sathyabama University, St. Mary's School of Management Studies, Jeppiaar SRR engineering college, St. Joseph's College of Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Thangavelu Engineering college,Shree Motilal Kanhaiyalal Fomra Institute of Technology (13 km from Sholanganallur), Ragas Dental college, Mohamed Sathak College of Arts and Science, Anand Institute of Technology (8 km from Sholanganallur), NTTF Information Technology Centre, Nr MTL Sholanganallur, Head Office Telichery Kannur.

National maritime University, the first in India is currently being built in Sholanganallur. The university complex will also house an Aquarium, National Maritime Museum, Food Courts, Hotel and a residential complex. The Ministry of Shipping is seeking public private partnership to build a five star hotel in the complex.

Some schools here are Government Higher Secondary School, Sacred Heart Matriculation Higher Secondary School,Sacred Heart Global school(CBSE), Gateway School,[10] Ellen sharma Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Sree Iyyapa Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Bala Vidya Mandir, Amelio Early Learning Center, Babaji Vidhyashram School

The town is well renowned for Sholinganallur Prathyangira Devi Temple where the Goddess throned gigantic and powerful. Many devotees from various parts of the country regularly visit here. The temple is located close to the Sholinganallur junction and halfway down the link road of ECR and OMR.

Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple

Sholanganallur Srinivasa Varadharaja Swami Temple : Includes Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu individual presence.

Sholanganallur Ponni-amman Kovil: A temple to powerful god Ponni-amman.

Sholanganallur Vigneshwarayar Temple: A temple of God Vinayaga. As it surrounded by the people with the locality named as Vigneshwaraya nagar. Maintained by Vigneshwaraya Nagar Association.

• Sholanganallur Durgai Amman Temple
• Sholanganallur Selli-Amman Temple
• Sholanganallur Pazhandi-Amman Kovil
• sholanganallur thulukanathu amman kovil
• Sholanganallur Naga-Amman Temple
• ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple in Akkarai ECR
• Selva Vinayagar Temple in Akkarai
• Raja Ganapathi in Uthandi(Near Uthandi TollPlaza)

Mosques include:

• Masjid-e-Noor (Behind Punjab National Bank)
• Masjidur Rahman (Near Elcot Sez)
• Sathak Masjid (Inside Mohamed Sathak College Campus)

Near Sholanganallur Main Signal.RTO code: (TN-14).