Located at the banks of the Palar River, Vellore is an ancient city that has been ruled by the varied prosperous dynasties of south India. The Pallavas, The Cholas, Vijaynagar kingdom, Carnatic Empire and therefore the British are the varied powers that ruled the region of Vellore and are liable for the city’s cultural heritage. The city like all princely Indian city should be is legendary for various forts, temples, picnic spots and other important tourist attractions.
Vellore Fort was built during the 16th century AD by the Aravindu Dynasty of the Vijaynagar Empire. Later the fort’s ownership skilled the varied dynasties just like the Marathas, Bijapur Sultans, the Carnatic Nawabs and therefore 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.
Jalakandeswarar Temple is found within the Vellore fort complex and is devoted to Lord Shiva. The Temple is one among the amazing specimens of the Dravidian architecture and houses one among the foremost intricately carved stone pillars. The temple also features a huge 7 tiered gopuram and adorned with various intricate carvings.
Located during a Temple town called Sripuram, the Srilakshmi Golden Temple is additionally known by the name Lakshmi Narayani temple. The amazing feature of the temple is pretty evident because the whole structure is coated in gold foil. The gold plated sheets cost a whopping 65 million US dollars and therefore the amount of the gold used may be a massive 1500 kilograms. The temple is indeed a modern architectural marvel.
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 found during a 100 acre forest and features a 93 inch telescope, the most important in Asia. The observatory has been famous for various groundbreaking scientific theories and discoveries.
Located at a mean altitude of 1,410 meters above water level, Yelagiri may be a small hill station in Vellore. The town is found within the middle of flowery meadows, tea estates and orchards. The various lakes and waterfalls in Yelagiri attract an enormous number of tourists. The place is additionally famous for various trek routes and adventure sports like Paragliding and hiking.
The Delhi Gate is one of the most important historical monuments in Tamil Nadu. The gate won’t 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 variety of important historical battles and therefore the most famous Seige of Arcot led by the famous British officer Clive.
Being a city with one among the richest cultural heritage in India, Vellore may be 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 flash of serene relaxation with its natural surroundings.