Tourist Spots in & around Vellore

Vellore Fort

The fortification consists of a main rampart broken at irregular intervals by round towers and rectangular projections. The main walls are built of massive granite stones surrounded by a broad moat fed with water by subterranean drains from the Suryagunta tank. Within the fort is the similarly aged Jalakanteswara Temple. The fort is one of the most perfect specimens of military architecture in Southern India. One of the interesting features of this fort is that there is a Hindu temple, Christian church and Muslim mosque within its ramparts.

The Fort also houses the famous "Tipu Mahal", where Tipu Sultan is believed to have stayed with his family during the war with the British. The graveyards of Tipu's sons are found at Vellore. The Fort is under the control of the Archeological Survey of India. The Vellore Fort has been declared as a "Monument of National Importance". The fort has today become a must see for visitors thronging Vellore.

State Government Museum

This state Government Museum is inside the fort and can be found on map. This Museum was opened to the public in 1985. It consists of objects of art, archaeology, pre-history, weapons, sculptures, bronzes, wood carvings, handicrafts, numismatics, philately, botany, geology and zoology. It treasures ancient and present day curios relating to Anthropology, Art and Archaeology, Botany, Geology, Numismatics, Pre-history, Zoology, etc.

The historical monuments of the erstwhile composite North Arcot District are gracefully depicted in the Gallery. Special exhibits include Bronze double antenna sword from Vellore Taluk, dating back to 400 BC., Stone sculptures from Late Pallava to Vijayanagar periods, Ivory chess board and coins used by the last Kandian King of Sri Lanka, Vikrama Raja Singha. The educational activities of this Museum include Art camp for school students, Study of inscriptions and iconography for college students etc.

Kavalur Observatory

Kavalur observatory is located in Kavalur in the Javadu Hills (a part of Eastern Ghats) in Alangayam, Vellore District. The observatory is at an altitude of 725 m above mean sea level (longitude 78° 49.6' E ; latitude 12° 34.6' N).

Apart from being reasonably away from city lights and industrial areas, the location has been chosen in order to be closer to the earth's equator for covering both northern and southern hemispheres with equal ease. In addition, its longitudinal position is such that it is the only major astronomical facility between Australia and South Africa for observing the southern objects.

Yelagiri

Yelagiri hills, is an idyllic place for a short holiday. Green hills and picture post-card scenery greets you here. It is called the princess of hill stations and is the most pristine and unpolluted among the hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Yelagiri Hills is a backward area with few glaring developments like cottages and farm houses, yet a place that has maintained its 'remote' label. Its called likely "Mini Ooty"

Amirthi Forest

Amirthi zoological park is situated under the Javvadu/Javadi Hills of Tellai across Amirthi river which is 25 km away from Vellore. This zoological park was started in October, 1967. The area of the park is 25 hectares and one can find beautiful waterfalls. There are also different kinds of birds and animals. Play equipments like swings, seesaw etc., are available for children. Numerous kinds of herbal plants and trees and sandalwood trees grow here. There are 2 rest houses and five members can stay in one dormitory. There is a meditating hall where one can have full concentration and be in serenity.

The inflow of tourists is more only during the holidays. This zoological park has been recognized recently and so the state Government has taken initiative to develop this area. The entrance fees is only Rs.2/- per head, Rs.3/- for cycles, Rs.5/- for vans and Rs.2/- for motor cycles.
There is a range office at Amirthi headed by the forest ranger. There is also a hill tribe society at Nimmiyambattu near Amirthi. The main aim is to provide employment opportunities to the hill tribals in that area.

Temples
Jalakandeswarar Temple, Srilakshmi Golden Temple, Thengal Ashram, Sholinghur Narasimhaswamy Temple are few of the famous temples located here. Also the district is well known for numerous Murugan temples. The City also houses famous Churches and Mosques. The Assumption Cathedral and the 150 year old St.Johns Church inside the Fort are some of the churches located in Vellore. The Big Mosque in the heart of the city houses the largest Arabic College in India.

Jalakandeswarar Temple
Jalakandeswarar Temple - Situated inside the Vellore Fort, this temple boasts of a majestic gopuram (tower). Here Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of "Jalakandeswarar". The temple is located at sub-ground levels than the temple moat, hence the name Jalakandeswarar.
Ratnagiri Temple

Ratnagiri is a temple devoted to Lord Balamurugan located at Kizhminnal, Walaja Taluk about 10km from Vellore. The temple is very well maintained and known for its popularity among CMC visitors and the general public. A 4 hair-pin bend road leads to the temple. A small entry fees for vehicles is charged as the ghat road was recently laid. Another option would be to take the 400 odd steps to reach the temple.

Sripuram
SriLakshmi Temple in Sripuram, popularly known as Golden Temple[9], is a newly built Spiritual Park / Temple in Thirumalaikodi , Vellore. The whole exterior of the temple is laid with gold sheets and plates. The construction of this temple is reported to have cost Rs.300 crores (Rs.3 billion). The temple is surrounded by a vast lush green landscaped area. The temple can only be accessed by going through a star shaped walkway.

Vallimalai
Its a temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, which is located on top of the hill which is a part of Eastern Ghats; and it is 30km from Vellore. The temple is known for its majestic views.

Cathedral
This is the main Cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Vellore. Situated adjacent to the Bishop's House, the Church has turned into a major religious center after it was rebuilt in 2001. The bell tower of the church, said to be the Highest Bell Tower in India, is a major attraction.

Balamathi
Balamathi, a serene and small beautiful village located on top of the hills of Eastern ghats is a 30 minute drive from Vellore. It is famous for its Balamurugan Temple which is connected to the city by a well laid road with many hair pin bends. Balamathi enjoys pleasant breeze and a substantlly low temperature which makes a ideal break away from city's naturally hot weather.

Sri Jalagandeswar Temple - Vellore

Sri Jalagandeswar Temple - One of the Famous Historical Monument of South India located inside the Vellore Fort

The Main Entrance of Sri Jalagandeswar Temple

Random Pictures of Sri Jalagandeswar Temple

Stunning Sculptures inside the Jalagandeswar Temple

Amazing Beautiful Pictures of Vellore

PRIDE OF VELLORE - Vellore Fort

Panoromic View of Vellore Fort

Random Stunning Pic's of Vellore Fort













Boating around Fort











Stunning Pic in a different angle from Vellore Fort

Vellore - The Fort City

Vellore city is considered to be one of the oldest surviving cities in South India. The city virtually lies between the two IT (Information Technology) giants of India - Chennai(130Km) and Bangalore (180Km). Hence it is well connected to other cities by road, rail and air.



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Today, with its cosmopolitan look, Vellore stands as one of the fastest growing cities in India. Mr. K. Anbazhagan, Tamilnadu Finance Minister,on March 20, 2008, announced that Vellore will be upgraded to a Corporation officially from the month of April 2008.


Vellore has the blend of rich heritage and culture representing the ancient Dravidan civilisation. This blog site is a attempt to explore things about Vellore bringing variety of information viz. the history, people, tourist places, research centres etc.


History
Vellore had the privilege of being the seat of the Pallavas, Cholas, Nayak, Marathas, Arcot Nawabs and Bijapur Sultan Kingdoms. Vellore was once the capital city of the mighty Vijayanagar empire during 1606-1672. The fort in Vellore was described as the best and the strongest fortress in the Carnatic War in the 17th Century.

In the region, for about the past 200 years, there were countless changes in the way of formation of kingdoms and their capitals. The 'North' and the 'South' regions of Arcot came into the political map in 1810 at the time of the last Mughal Emperor. Later in 1908, the two districts namely North and South Arcot came into existence. Chittoor (now in Andhra Pradesh) was the first capital of the North Arcot district. From then on, it was the principal military base of the British. In 1911, Vellore became the head quarters of North Arcot Dt. comprising Vellore and Thiruvannamalai.


Vellore, the Head- Quarters of Vellore District situated in 12' 35' N and 79' 9' E , has a very interesting History of its own. A strategically located town, it is well connected by Rail and bus routes to major towns of the neighboring states like A.P. Karnataka and Kerala.

The History of the district assumes a great significance and relevance, as we unfold the glorious past. It was under the sway of various dynasties and rulers, the prominent among them being the Pallavas , Cholas of Uraiyur, the Rashtrakutaa dynasty of Malkhed, Sambuvarayar, the rulers of Vijayanagarm, Mamathas, the Nawabs of the carnatic and the British.

The Monuments found in the district give a vivid picture of the town through the ages. In the 18 th Century Vellore District was the scene of some of the decisive bettles fought in Ambur (1749) A.D Arcot (1751) A.D and Vandivasi (1760A.D) as a result of the long -drawn struggle between the English and the French for Supremacy.

THE ROLE OF VELLORE DISTRICT IN THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Vellore Sepoy Revolt
Vellore District had always been on the fore - front in the struggle for freedom. In fact the Sepoy Mutiny of 1806 A.D. that broke out inside the Vellore fort against the British authority is considered to be a prelude to the Great Revolt of 1857, which is often described by some historians as the first war of Independence.

The outstanding performance of this district in contributing to the Military service is Commendable, as more and more men have enlisted themselves to the Military service, to serve the nation with indomitable sprit and courage. The clock tower in the long Bazaar Vellore was built in 1920 A.D. a stone inscription in the building reads "Vellore - From this Village 277 men want to the Great war 1914-18,of them 14 gave up their lives ". This is a recorded testimony the Velour and Military prowess of this area.

For More Informations about vellore visit the below websites

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vellore

http://vellore.nic.in/