Madras War Cemetery, Chennai

Country India
Total identified casualties 857 Find these casualties
Identified casualties from Second World War
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 13.01405, Longitude: 80.19393

Please note

Please be aware that the Cemetery is located on a busy main road. Unfortunately, there is no parking available.

Cemetery Spotlight - Madras War Cemetery, Chennai

The Cemetery is taken care of by the three Gardeners, led by the Head Gardener and managed by the Cemetery Manager.

Madras Cemetery Stone of Remembrance facing towards cross of sacrifice under a clear blue sky.

As the Cemetery is located in Chennai city, which is in the Coromandel coastal region of the Bay of Bengal, the Cemetery faces weather challenges like extreme humid heat in Summer. As a result, the cemetery turf gets drought in summers between April and June and extreme rainfall and cyclones in the monsoon season, between October and December, which can flood the cemetery.

Two CWGC gardeners use long roes to cultivate the plant borders at Madras War Cemetery. Along headstone rows next to the workers you can see a variety of blooming, healthy local plants.

CWGC gardener runs a small hand-driven lawnmower along grass next to a headstone row.

The team proactively manages these challenges by selecting suitable plants which will sustain in both extreme weather conditions. Also, the cemetery has two dug wells functions with a submersible motor, which will be operated during flooding to pump the excess water from the cemetery.

A CWGC gardener sits atop a large red ride on lawnmower.

Despite the challenges, the cemetery looks immaculate with lush green turf and colourful border plants.
The cemetery has a built-in silo system where the team produces compost from horticultural waste generated by day-to-day activities.

View of Madras War Cemetery showing a row of white CWGC headstones on a green lawn. A tall tree with broad green leaves is visible behind the row. You can also see a vine-covered shelter building in the background, opposite the CWGC Cross of Sacrifice.

As part of our sustainability efforts, Madras War Cemetery has transitioned to a fully integrated solar power system. We also create a biodiverse environment, reflecting our deep-rooted commitment and working to create a carbon-free atmosphere for our future.

Solar panels installed on the roof of the work shed at Madras War Cemetery, Chennai.

Location information

Madras War Cemetery is about 5 kilometres from the airport and 14 kilometres from the central railway station.

The GST Road (Great Southern Trunk Road) leads from the airport past Trident Hotel to Kathipara roundabout. The way is via Mount Poonamall Road, passing at the foot of St. Thomas Mount. The cemetery can easily be located on the right hand side of the road 1 kilometre from St. Thomas Mount.

From Madras Central Railway Station the route is up Mount Road (Anna Salai) and over the bridge which crosses the River Cooum. The route passes St. Mary's Cemetery on Pallawan Road and is via LIC building (Life Insurance Corporation Building) situated on Mount Road, which leads to Anna Flyover and to Kathipara Junction.

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Visiting information

The cemetery is open every day between 08:00am and 18:00pm.

Outside of these times, access can be gained via the gate. Whilst there is no specific disabled access to the Cemetery, our staff are happy to offer assistance, when requested.

Download Cemetery Plan

History information

MADRAS WAR CEMETERY was created to receive Second World War graves from many civil and cantonment cemeteries in the south and east of India where their permanent maintenance could not be assured.

The cemetery contains 856 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.

The MADRAS 1914-1918 MEMORIAL is situated at the rear of the cemetery. It bears the names of more than 1,000 servicemen who died during the First World War who lie in many civil and cantonment cemeteries in various parts of India where it is not possible to maintain their graves in perpetuity.