Vellore is a semirural bazaar town. For tourists, it is noteworthy only for the Vijayanagar for and its temple, which are in an excellent state of preservation and worth visiting. The famous rivers Palar and Ponnar flows through the City. The town has a modern church built in an old British cemetery, which contains the tomb of a captain who died in 1799 during the glorious campaign which ended in the defeat of Tipu Sultan. There is also a memorial to the victims of the little known ‘Vellore Mutiny’ of 1806.The mutiny was instigated by the second son of Tipu Sultan, who was in the fort at the time, and was put down by a task force sent from Arcot. Vellore is now best known for its hospital, one of the best in the country. The people who come here from all over India for medical care give this humble town a cosmopolitan feel.
Amirthi Zoological Park: Amirthi zoo logical park is situated under the Javadu Hills of Tellaiacross Amirthi river which is 25 kms away from vellore.This zoo logical park was started in the year 1967. The area of the park is 25 hectares and one can find beautiful waterfalls. There are also different kinds of birds and animals. Swings, Seesaw etc., are there for children to play. Numerous kinds of herbal plants and trees and sandal wood trees also grow here. The entrance fees is only Rs 2 /- per head.
Central Jail: The Central Jail, Vellore was established on 19.03.1867 with 160 convicts. It is the largest Jail in the dist. The prison has historical importance. Political leaders like former president Sri.R.Venkat Raman, Dr.Aringer C.N.AnnaDurai, late Tr.V.V.Giri, late Tr.Kamaraj and Sri Vinoba Bhave were confined in this prison. Many prisoners sentenced to transpiration by the courts of this Presidency are retained when considered physically unfit for deportation to Andaman. The expenditure in the jail is recovered by the value of the convict’s labour. There is a small sub jail attached to the central prison to this dist. They will be sent to the concerned courts on the dates under Police Escorts.
Church of South India: It comes under the churches of south India. It is on e of the biggest church. The RCA (Reform Church of America) came to North Arcot Dist, and established the church. The church is nearly 150 years old. Previously this church was in the filterbed road. The British soliders who died during the Sepoy Mutiny are buried in the vicinity of this church. The church is given authorization by the British Government to maintain this graveyard.
Clock Tower: This clock tower was erected in the memory of the coronation of King George V. The tower is also dedicated to the 22 English soldiers who went to fight from this town during the Ist world war (1914 b- 1919). Out of this 14 British soldiers died in this war.
Javadu Hills: Jamanamarathur is the main village in Javadu Hills which is famous for its sandalwood and fruits bearing trees. Nearby are the Beemanmadavu water falls in the thick reserve forest and the Kavalur observatory.
Elagiri Hills: Located 920m above sea level amidst four mountains, these picturesque environs are a part of javad hills of the eastern ghats. Several tribes inhabit the 14 small villages in the region and engage in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Their unique lifestyle, customs and homes, as well as an exquisitely carved church, a quaint temple and a park for the tourists add to the attractions of the place. Elagiri hills is also perfect for a short trekking holiday. July and August witness the annual murugan festival at the temple. Fruit, Herbal farm and Shrubs used in the production of ayurvedic medicines are available. Alternatively, if you are vacationing with kids, you can head to the childrren’s park or the mini Zoo. All in all, there is something for every tourist. Try and be there for the weekly holiday where the products of the hills are no display. Vacation at Elagiri this summer is a vacation with a difference.
Erukkampattu: Erukkampattu is a small village situated close to the monuments at Vallimalai and Melpadi. The temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is built on the lake bund. The god is enshrined here in the Sayana form of Ranganatha. The temple is assigned to the period of 9th century. The recent earthwork carried out in the temple revealed discoveries including a broken but beautiful stone image of Bhoga Sayanamurthy assignable to middle Chola Period.
Government Museum : This is a multipurpose museum treasures the ancient and present day curious relating to anthropology, art and archaeology, botany, geology, etc. The historical monuments of the erstwhile composite north arcot district are gracefully depicted in the galley.
Jalakandeswarar Temple – Vellore Fort: The Temple which had been built in the late Vijayanagar style, comprised of the main shrine and closed ambulatory passage around, and the integral Mahamantapa, with a northward projecting shub-shrine for Nataraja, containing also several other sub-shrines. The temple has two court yard, one is inner parkara and the other is outer prakara. The structures in the court yard on the outer prakara include the lofty Gopuram on the southern side which is the entry to the temple. One the South – West corner of outer court yard is the Kalyanamantapa which is the gem of architecture of Late Vijayanagar style in embellishments and the art motifs of its pillars, ceiling and plinth mouldings. It stands as testimony for the architectural workmanship of that period.
Jalagambari Waterfalls: The trekroute from Elagiri Hills to Jalagambari Waterfalls at the downhill takes a couple of hours and is recommended for starters. Jalagampaarai waterfalls situated 17 kms from Tirupattur is a fine picnic spot where the deity is in the form of VEL (a kind of spear).The Murugan temple attracts the tourists throughout the year.
Kailasagiri: 10 KM from Ambur, this place is famous for the Murugan temple situated on a small hill. Streams surround the temple area. One can see the ruins of the fort that are said to be there during the Nawab period. From this hill one can see the panoramic view of Umarabad, a small town with a very big mosque and Arabic college.
Kanchanagiri: Situated 7 KM from Ranipet, Kanchanagiri is famous for the small Siva temple on a plateau surrounded by hills. One can see many suyambu lingams. It is believed that they are the Siddhas who lived there for thousands of years.
Kankeyanallur: Sri Kangeeswarar temple is in Kangeyanallur village and was built during the time of the Chola rulers, as evidenced by the stone inscriptions. The temple dedicated to Lord Muruga was built some five hundred years ago and later on it was renovated bye Sri Mallaiyadhas Bhagavadhar and Sri Thirumuruga Kirupanandha Varryar, a popular exponent of Hindu Scriptures. Sculptures are artistically engraved in the gopura depicting the Kandhapuranam and the six sthalams of Lord Muruga.
Kaveripakkam: It is well-known for its lake which is the biggest in this district. It was built by King Nandivarman III of Pallava dynasty (8th Century AD).The length of the bund is 8.35km.
Madrazaye Mohammadiya Masjid: Another important monument of attraction is that of the Mosque of Nawab Chanda Sahib. It was built in 1750 A.D. The entrance of the masjid is on the Northern side. At the top of the structure, provision is made for the speakers. On all the four sides of the structure it is decorated with arch shapes. It is constructed with brick and lime.
Mahendravadi: The village Mahendravadi owes its origin to Pallava Mahendra Varman I (AD 580 – 630).According to an inscription in Pallava grantha this cave temple was excavated by Gunabhara on the bund of a large tank called Mahendra thataka in the city of Mahendrapura. The cave temple is formed by completely scooping out a large free standing boulder. Now the Garbagraha has an image of Narasimha.
Melpadi: Melpadi is an important place being the border between Chola and Rashtrakuta kingdoms.It is a Pallippadai temple and seems to have been built over the mortal remains of Chola Arinjaya (AD 956 – 967) by his grandson Chola Raja Raja I in the year AD 1014. The temple is replete with many Tamil inscriptions recording grants of land made towards the maintenance of the temple.
Melvisharam: 16 KM from Vellore on the way to Arcot. Melvisharam is famous for the mosque. During the regin of Arcot Nawab plenty of Muslims lived here. Situated amidst the natural surroundings, this town is also famous for Abdul Hakim College and the recently built Arabic college.
Mosque inside the Fort: The Mosque inside the fort is protected by the A.S.I. It was built in 1750 and constructed of granite stones with mortar, on three sides. At present it is not used for worship and the gates of the mosque are closed. It is rectangular in shape. The Hindu architecture slowly yielded place to the flourishing Muslim architecture which is evident in the form of innumerable mosques and places which are Indo-Saracenic style.
Muthu Mandabam: Muthu Mandabam was inaugurated on 0 1.07.1990 by the then Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Mr.M.Karunanidhi. Vikrama Raja Singhan, the last Tamil Ruler to rule Kandy (Sri Lanka) was originally named Kannuswamy. He belonged to the Nayak dynasty of Madurai. The Britishers fought with him for 16 years from 1815 and Vikrama was arrested and imprisoned in the Vellore fort jail. He died in 1832.Only in 1983 his cemetery was found. In this memory the Muthu Mandabam was established here in Vellore. His Samadhi was erected by his son. A Vikrama Raja Singham on 27.07.1832.
Ratnagiri: 13 KM from Vellore, Ratnagiri is famous for the Murugan temple situated on a small hillock. It is said that the temple was built in the 14th century AD, but renovations were made recently.
Shenbakkam: The famous temple dedicated to Sri Selva Vinayakar and Somasundareswarar has been attracting a large number of devotees from far and near. A special feature of the shrine is that poojas and abishegams are performed for Sri Sri Selva Vinayakar in an open space around which the prakaram has been built. It is said that the original name of the village was Shenbagavanam, as it was full of fragrant Shenbaga trees even though no trace of the trees is to be seen now.
Sholingur: Famous for the Sri Yoga Lakshmi Narasimhar temple, situated on 750 ft, high hillock & 1305 stairs. There is also a Yoga Anjaneyar temple located on a 350 ft.high and 406 Stairs. Volunteers and devotees who visit the hill temple of Sholingur on full moon day of every month to perform girivalam. Thirupavithrotsavam festival will celebrate in the month of August. The Navarathri festivities will be in the month of October. Contact Ph: 0416-29445794.
Vainu Bappu Observatory – Kavalur: The Vainu Bappu observatory of the Indian Institute of Astrophysis traces its origin back to the year 1786 when William Petrie set up his private observatory at his garden house at Egmore, Madras which eventually came to be known as the Madras Observatory. Later it was moved over to Kodaikanal and functioned there as the Kodaikanal Observatory since 1899.Location: Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Department of Science & Technology Government of India, Kavalur, Alangayam -635 701 Ph :04174 – 265222, 265255
Vallimalai: Vallimalai has been one of the important Jaina Centers during the early medieval period.The hilly area with fountains must have been very much favoured by the Jaina monks. According to Kannada inscription that natural cavern was converted into Jaina abode by prince Rajamalla of Western Ganga dynasty in about 10th century A.D.
Vellore Fort: The fortification of the fort consists of a main rampart broken at irregular intervals by round towers and rectangular projections. The walls are constructed with hewn Kangaroo stones of rectangular shape. This is evidently the work of European engineers at a later period of fort’s history. The narrow wall running round the fort can be reached be flight of steps at the entrance of the fort. The main walls are built so strong with stones cut and filled together without mortar. In some places, wide ramps, raised within the fort the wall has been constructed on the outer wall. On the southern side there is a raised bastion on which the flag staffs stands and there are two small round towers raised on the main works at the south-east and north-east angles. The old entrance was by a wading roadway with massive gates and protected by a drawbridge, which was altered in the eighteenth century and adopted for defence by artillery. On the southern side there is also a poster which crosses the ditch at a low level provided with steps on its end. On its construction it was constructed for greater defensive purposes and it was built and made fairly wide and deep. The circumference of the moat is about 8000 feet at a length and depth of 190 feet and 20 feet respectively. The temple and fort were brought under the control of A.S.I. in 1921.The outer length of the fort is about 2500 feet and 1500 feet in breadth. The height of the outer wall is about 30 feet and the breadth is about 25 feet. The approximate circumstance of the fort is 2600 meters.