B.M. Birla Planetarium — Attraction in Zone 13 Adyar

B.M. Birla Planetarium Chennai: An Astronomical Delight!

Visiting the B.M. Birla Planetarium in Chennai was nothing short of a celestial journey for my family. Tucked away in the Periyar Science and Technology Centre, this planetarium is a gem for anyone fascinated by the mysteries of the universe.

Immersive Experience: The planetarium's sky theater, with its 360-degree dome, delivers an unparalleled visual feast. The shows are presented using modern technology, with digital projections that make you feel as if you're traveling through space. The depictions of our galaxy, planets, and cosmic events are both educational and spellbinding.

Educational Value: The content of the shows is well-curated, covering a range of astronomical topics from the basics of the solar system to complex phenomena like eclipses and meteor showers. The shows are regularly updated, ensuring that visitors always have something new to learn. Narrations in both Tamil and English cater to a broad audience, making it an excellent educational outing for children and adults alike.

Interactive and Engaging: Beyond the main attraction, the planetarium is part of a larger science center with numerous exhibits. These interactive displays on physics, biology, and technology complement the astronomical education, providing a holistic learning environment. My kids were particularly thrilled with the Science Park, where they could engage with models demonstrating solar, wind, and biogas energy.

Accessibility and Value: Located conveniently in Kotturpuram, the planetarium is easily accessible by metro, bus, or car. The entry fee is reasonable, with tickets at Rs.60 for adults and Rs.30 for children, offering great value for the educational experience it provides. The combo tickets for the planetarium and science centre are even more economical, perfect for a day-long visit.

Atmosphere and Ambiance: The planetarium's setting within a science complex, surrounded by greenery and near attractions like Guindy National Park, makes it a tranquil spot for a day out. The staff are courteous and helpful, contributing to a positive visitor experience.

For anyone in Chennai looking to dive into the wonders of the cosmos, the B.M. Birla Planetarium is an absolute must-visit. It's educational, inspiring, and an excellent day out for families, students, or anyone with a curious mind about the universe. Highly recommend!

This review highlights the unique aspects of the Chennai B.M. Birla Planetarium, focusing on its educational benefits, technological advancements, and overall...

Birla Planetarium is located right in the heart of the city. It’s a quiet place with plenty of parking available in front. The ticket prices are very reasonable – INR 100 for adults and INR 50 for children covers the entire package (Planetarium show, entry, 3D show, and Sphere show). There’s also an option to buy a basic INR 35 ticket for only the Planetarium show.

The campus is not very large, so walking inside is easy. At the entrance, you’re greeted by an old fighter jet (HAL HF-24 Marut), an old steam locomotive, and a model of the GSLV rocket. There’s also an evolution park (Dinosaur World), but unfortunately, like the science and industrial play areas for kids, it isn’t well maintained.

The real highlight is inside – the Planetarium and the Science Exhibition Centre. Clean washrooms are available outside, and there are gift, souvenir, and toy shops inside. Food options are limited to a small snack counter selling tea, coffee, and light snacks, so it’s best to carry your own lunch if you plan to spend the full 5–6 hours here. Do note that food and water bottles are not allowed inside the Planetarium show, but they can be deposited at the front desk.

Science & Exhibition Centre:

Ground Floor:

DRDO Gallery (models of tanks, battle equipment, and Tejas aircraft) Hall of Nuclear Power (detailed displays on nuclear power generation) 3D Show (10-minute dinosaur world movie with 3D glasses – very exciting for kids)

First Floor:

Oceans Gallery Mirror House (fun for kids with mirror illusions) Indian Space Gallery (models, information on ISRO projects, and a live quiz show) Ramanujan Mathematics Gallery (interactive experiments) Heart Museum (hearts of different animals preserved in jars) Science on a Sphere (visual science show on a spherical display)

Planetarium Show: The absolute star attraction – a 20-minute immersive journey through space, stars, the Sun, Moon, and other planets. Truly fascinating, especially for children.

✨ Overall: Birla Planetarium is highly educational and an excellent place for kids interested in science, space, and technology. While the outdoor exhibits and some galleries could use better maintenance, the Planetarium and Science Centre make the visit...

BM Birla Planetarium- One of the finest spot to take your kids and family who like science & fun games. Pros: Parking Charge - Just 5₹ for bikes. Its relatively cheaper for other vehicles, too. Ticket rates are cheaper too (3D Show, Science on Sphere, Planetarium, Science Centre). These 4 costs just 60₹ for adults and lower for kids. Alot of fun games all over the place like mirror games, laser music systems, wire loop game, puzzles, quiz etc. all of which you and your kids can enjoy. The planetarium show - One of the best shows in the whole planetarium. Its like a 3D show with lots of scientific information about all planets and comets. DRDO and ISRO centres are crazy. If you are a defence enthusiast. You must go there. Many science and fun centres other than shows like Mathematics centre, Nuclear centre, Specimen lab etc. to spend your time. Outdoor fun games are very nice for kids.

Cons: Always take change (₹) if you are going early. The ticketing staff sometimes don't have change and their UPI is not working. Or change might be needed to pay for parking. So take some small cash. Your GPay or PhonePe won't work always. Except for the Planetarium, all other shows are literally useless. I don't recommend heart ailment patients and people who can't tolerate high noise, the 3D show (3D Theatre). The sound is so high, it becomes unbearable. And the poor quality of 3D makes it a Stone Age era show. Totally not worth your time. Science on Sphere- don't keep your expectation high. Just an average projector show on a sphere. "DO NOT BUY ICE CREAM" from the ice cream vendor. Literally uses his hands to transfer ice creams from one container to another without using gloves. Food is average with very few options. The planetarium is huge with different centres. Need one whole day to experience all events. The toilet is very shabby. Women toilet has many used pads thrown on the floor. The stench of urine very strong with very poor maintenance.

Bottomline- The planetarium is a knowledge and fun centre for kids and families too. But alot of maintenance and upgradation is needed to make is even more better. With a little more investment from the Governments, it will be a fun place to remember.

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