BM Birla Planetarium Chennai is on the premises of Periyar Science and Technology Centre. And it’s considered the most modern planetarium in India.
The planetarium was established in 1983. But it was inaugurated in 1988 by R Venkataraman, the then President of India. It is known for its virtual tours of the night sky. It also has multiple galleries with over 500 exhibits for you to explore. The collection is divided into categories like Life Science, Electronics and Communications, Energy and more.
It has a sky theatre, with a hemispherical dome, where you can see various astronomical objects in the universe. These shows are run in both Tamil and English. It also organises audio-visual programs on different astronomical themes.
This place lies close to Guindy National Park, making it a wonderful place for stargazing, too. Away from the glaring city lights, the night-sky observation is easy here.
Things to do at Birla Planetarium Chennai
1. Exploring exhibits – Birla Planetarium and Science Centre have numerous halls with different scientific exhibits on display. Fun mirrors, mathematical demos and astronomical phenomena are among the popular ones here. You’ll also find galleries dedicated to ocean life, defence research and nuclear power. A hall of fame, with portraits and statues of various astronauts and scientists, is also present at Birla Planetarium in Chennai.
2. Watching 3D shows – Visual sky shows are conducted at different times in English and Tamil. The programs include space phenomena such as meteor showers, stellar cycles, sky and seasons, and more. Overall, 35 such audio-visual programs explaining the cosmic phenomena are shown in the planetarium. The theme of shows is usually changed every 3 months.
3. Observing the night sky – A special show on night sky observation is also conducted here usually on Saturday evenings. Visit Birla Planetarium Chennai on a night with clear skies and you’ll be engrossed in stargazing.
4. Roaming in the park – The place also has a Science Park for kids, with outdoor exhibitions categorised into different branches of science. It has toy cars running with automatic electronic signal systems. The system of solar energy, wind energy and biogas energy are displayed. And a small forest set up with different varieties of flora and fauna are also here.
5. Checking Science on a Sphere – Science on a Sphere program projects high-resolution videos on a suspended globe, representing our Earth. You can learn about Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and land with the help of digital images. The experience is interactive as well as educational.
Birla Planetarium Chennai Timings and Entry Fee
The Birla Planetarium in Chennai is open every day from 10 AM to 5.45 PM, even during the weekends and festivals. It is closed only during the national holidays.
The 3D show timings are 10.45 AM, 1.15 PM and 3.45 PM for the English language shows. The Tamil show timings are 12 PM, 2.30 PM and 4.30 PM. And the Saturday night sky observation show runs from 7 PM to 9 PM.
Chennai Birla Planetarium entry fee is ₹30 per adult and ₹15 per kid (below 12 years). Ticket price for 3D shows is ₹20 per person for adults and kids both. And the Science on a Sphere exhibition is priced at ₹20 for adults and ₹10 for kids.
You can even buy the package ticket to visit both Birla Planetarium and Science Centre. The tickets are priced at ₹60 for adults and ₹30 for kids. The price includes the charges for exhibits, 3D shows and Science Park. The entry to Science on a Sphere show isn’t included.
Best time to visit Birla Planetarium Chennai
Chennai is scorching hot and humid during summer. The monsoon season brings some relief for travellers. But untimely torrential downpours and occasional cyclones make it unsuitable for a pleasant visit.
So, the best time to visit Birla Planetarium in Chennai is during the winters, from December to February. The climate remains warm, and the sky is clear for most parts of the day.