Vellore is a famous ancient city sited on the banks of river Palar. Also named as The Fort City; due to the presence of Vellore Fort, it offers a great opportunity to learn about Indian heritage and Indian culture to the tourists.
Hey, did you know that Vellore contributes about 35-40% of India’s total leather export? Historically speaking, Vellore has been ruled by different dynasties at several points of time like the Pallavas, Cholas, Rashtrakutas and the list goes on.
Best Time to Visit Vellore
If you love Indian culture, then you may end up quite impressed with this city. So, if you may have any plans for travelling here, note that the best time to visit Vellore is between the months of October and March.
History of Vellore
If we turn back the pages of time, then we can trace the history of Vellore to 9th century - the Chola inscriptions found in the Annamalaiyar Temple supports Vellore being that old.
And since the beginning, Vellore has seen its fair share of battles too. Talking about the Vellore Fort, it was built during the 15th century and is a classic example of military architecture in Southern India. This fort has seen its fair share of blood and dust.
Coming on to the 19th century, one of the most notable places in Vellore was the central prison built in 1830 which, at one point in time, imprisoned many notable figures like C. Rajagopalachari and Ramaswamy Venkataraman.
Major Attractions in and Around Vellore
1. Vellore Fort
This fort was established in the 16th century and has been surrounded by a very deep moat. While entering it, one can wonder with what kind of grandeur people in ancient times used to live their lives. Moreover, this place is also going to be refined under the Smart City Initiative by the government. The local authorities are planning to develop it with a budget of 33 crores.
2. Kaigal Waterfalls
It is located at an approximate distance of 2.5 km from Kaigal village and about 90-100 km from Vellore. These waterfalls are nestled within the Koundinya Wildlife sanctuary and is named after the Kaigal village. Falling from an approximate height of 40 feet, the torrent is subdivided into three gushing streams; this only makes it more ethereal to witness.
3. Sripuram, Golden Temple
This temple is sited on a 100 acres land and is covered with 1500 kg of gold. The detailing with which this temple is constructed simply wins your heart. It is said that 9-10 layers of gold foil were used in making of the temple. If you want to see something unique then don’t miss out on this one.
4. Amirthi Zoological Park
This park is situated 25-30 km from Vellore and is located under the hills of the Javadu mountain range offering a very exuberant variety of fauna and flora to the tourists. This place was opened in 1967 for the public and is spread on 25 hectares of land. If you want to have a glimpse of Indian wildlife then do visit this tourist attraction.
5. Yoga Narasimha Temple
This temple is situated in the Mandya district. What is really interesting to know is the fact that one has to climb 1,300 steps to reach this shrine. It is the architectural beauty of this temple that attracts hundreds and thousands of tourists every year to this place. Many wouldn’t know but this temple still has the huge drum that was donated by Tipu Sultan.
How to Reach Vellore
Vellore is a celebrated travel destination in India that introduces you to the raw culture of our country. The presence of temples, forts and other travel getaways make it worthy of your time and energy. It is located at a distance of about 2,220, 1,203, 1,742, 213 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check out the details mentioned below on how you can reach Vellore.
By Air
Vellore does have its own airport, however, at the moment it is in under construction mode. Thus, if you plan on to travel here by flight, then deboard at Bengaluru Airport aka Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) or Chennai Airport (MAA) depending upon your location and convenience. Both the airports are situated at a distance of 217 km and 127 km respectively.
These airports are well-routed with other Indian cities. From the airport premises, you can easily book a taxi or get yourself a bus to travel further and reach your destination.
- From Mumbai - Board IndiGo, Spicejet, AirAsia flights from Mumbai Airport and deboard at Chennai Airport. The airfares start from INR 4,000 - INR 5,000
- From Hyderabad - Board IndiGo, AirAsia, Air India flights from Hyderabad Airport and deboard at Chennai Airport. The airfares start from INR 3,000 - INR 4,000
- From Ahmedabad - Board GoAir, Air India, Spicejet flights from Ahmedabad Airport and deboard at Bengaluru Airport. The airfares start from INR 4,000 - INR 5,000
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Vellore
By Train
Vellore is mainly connected by three main junctions to other regions. These stations are Katpadi Junction, Vellore Cantonment and Vellore Town. All three of them are A-rated stations with huge passenger movement connecting Vellore with nearby regions. From the respective stations, you can easily avail some means of transportation locally available to reach your destination.
By Road
Vellore is well connected by motorable roads and national highways to other regions, cities, and towns. Thus, you can plan on travelling here by booking state-run buses as well as private buses from nearby towns or book a cab online. Otherwise, the best way to travel and have fun is to take a road trip with your friends.
- From Coimbatore - 391 km via NH44 and NH48
- From Mysuru - 347 km via NH275
- From Puducherry - 153 km via SH4
Frequently Asked Questions about Vellore
Q. What are the top tourist attractions in Vellore?
A. Some of the top tourist attractions in Vellore include Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple, the Vellore Fort, Amirthi Zoological Park, and Jalakandeswarar Temple.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
