Located at the banks of the Palar River, Vellore is an ancient city that has been ruled by the various prosperous dynasties of south India. The Pallavas, The Cholas, Vijaynagar kingdom, Carnatic Empire and the British are the various powers that ruled the region of Vellore and are responsible for the city’s cultural heritage. The city like any princely Indian city should be is famous for various forts, temples, picnic spots and other important tourist attractions. So here’s the list of the most important places to visit in Vellore.
1. Vellore Fort
Vellore Fort was built during the 16th century AD by the Aravindu Dynasty of the Vijaynagar Empire. Later the fort’s ownership passed through the various dynasties like the Marathas, Bijapur Sultans, the Carnatic Nawabs and the British. The massive ramparts and moats have made the fort a strategic location, it was also known to have Tipu Sultan’s family and the last king of Sri Lanka as prisoners during the time of the British. The fort complex contains a church, a temple and a mosque.
2. Jalakandeswarar Temple
Jalakandeswarar Temple is located within the Vellore fort complex and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Temple is one of the amazing specimens of the Dravidian architecture and houses one of the most intricately carved stone pillars. The temple also has a huge 7 tiered gopuram and adorned with various intricate carvings.
3. Srilakshmi Golden Temple
Located in a Temple town called Sripuram, the Srilakshmi Golden Temple is also known by the name Lakshmi Narayani temple. The amazing feature of the temple is pretty evident as the whole structure is coated in gold leaf. The gold plated sheets cost a whopping 65 million US dollars and the amount of the gold used is a massive 1500 kilograms. The temple is indeed a modern architectural marvel.
4. Vainu Bappu Observatory
Located at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level the Vainu Bappu Observatory is an astronomical observatory and often called as the telescope city. The observatory is located in a 100 acre forest and has a 93 inch telescope, the largest in Asia. The observatory has been famous for various groundbreaking scientific theories and discoveries.
Located at an average altitude of 1,410 meters above sea level, Yelagiri is a small hill station in Vellore. The town is located in the middle of flowery meadows, tea estates and orchards. The various lakes and waterfalls in Yelagiri attract a huge number of tourists. The place is also famous for various trek routes and adventure sports such as Paragliding and rock climbing.
6. Delhi Gate (Vellore)
The Delhi Gate is one of the most important historical monuments in Tamil Nadu. The gate used to function as an entrance to an 18th century fort built by Daulat Khan Panni a governor under the Mughal Empire. The site has seen a number of important historical battles and the most famous Seige of Arcot led by the famous British officer Robert Clive.
Being a city with one of the richest cultural heritage in India, Vellore is a city made in gold. The above-mentioned places not only provide the visitors an insight on the amazing history of the town but also a moment of serene relaxation with its natural surroundings.
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