Vellore is a historical gem that needs to be explored by historians and tourists alike. The city of Vellore, situated at the banks of the Palar River, is famous for its historically significant structures and the traditional culture influenced by modernism. If you’re a travel freak who likes visiting historical structures and witnessing the stories behind them, Vellore is a city you must not miss.
Are you planning a trip to Vellore? Then it would be best if you chose a stay where you get access to the wonders of Vellore easily. Let us introduce you to such a stay. JK Inn is one of the first class hotels in Vellore, which is famous for its hospitality and the coziest rooms we offer to our guests. We are situated at the heart of Vellore, which gives our guests the benefit of accessing the tourist key locations of the city.
By this blog, we intend to showcase nearby tourist places in Vellore and the activities for the guests staying at JK Inn.
Historical and Cultural Attractions
Vellore is known for its historical and cultural attractions including Vellore Fort, Sripuram Golden Temple, the Archeology Survey of India Museum, etc.
Vellore Fort
Vellore Fort is the most significant tourist attraction in Vellore. It is visited by hundreds of people daily. The fort is the living symbol of the artistic and architectural skills of the Vellore people. Vellore Fort is deeply embedded in the history of colonial India and Tamil Nadu. The fort is only 2.2 km away from JK Inn.
Historical Significance and Features of the Fort:
- Built during 1526–1595 AD by the ruler Bommu Nayakar
- Vellore Fort is a symbol of religious harmony.
- Constructed using massive cut granite stones
- The first mutiny against the British in India happened here (Sippoy Kalagam).
- The fort was a military garrison of the British in 1760.
- Inside the fort are Tippu Mahal, Kandi Mahal, Begum Mahal, Badhusha Mahal, Hyder Mahal, Jalakandeswarar Temple, St. John’s Church, Nawabs Chanda Sahib Mosque and the Archeological Survey of India.
- The fort was once surrounded by a moat with thousands of alligators to kill intruders.
- Vellore Fort was used as a royal prison.
Tips:
- Entry time is from 8 am to 6 pm.
- Open all week
- Entry fee is 5 rupees.
Sripuram Golden Temple
Sripuram Golden Temple, also known as Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple, symbolizes the spirituality of the people of Vellore. It is one of the major tourist attractions in the location. The complex design of the temple standing high and mighty in the heart of Vellore bathed in its golden color is a sight to see.
- Built by a Sripuram charitable trust named Sri Narayani Peedam and inaugurated in 2007
- The covering of the temple is made with 1500 kilograms of gold.
- Situated on 100 acres of land
- The massive structure took only seven years to finish building.
- The 1.8 KM path to the temple is called Sri Chakra.
Tips:
- Visiting time extends from 8 am to 8 pm.
- No entry fee
- There are some paid darshans for which you may have to pay 100 to 500
- Wear decent and traditional clothes.
- Avoid wearing extravagant and revealing clothes.
Natural Attractions
Vellore is not only famous for its rich culture. The natural beauty of the city makes it one of the main landmarks of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Yelagiri Hills
One of the most visited places in Vellore, and it is only 90.7 km from JK Inn. It is loved by adventure seekers and nature lovers because of the eye pleasing lush greenery and the trekking opportunities. Travelers need to go through 14 hairpin bends to reach the top of it and from the 7th hairpin bend, you can be engrossed in the beauty of green forests and mountains.
Key locations:
- Swamimalai Hill: The highest peak of Yelagiri hills.
- Jalagamparai Waterfalls: A small waterfall originated from the Attaaru River amid a 12-acre dense forest.
- Jalagamparai Murugan Temple: Lord Shiva Temple located near Jalagamparai Waterfalls.
- Punganoor Lake Park: A beautiful man-made lake with boating facilities.
- Nature Park: 12-acre park with floral gardens, an aquarium, a musical fountain, and a children’s play area.
- Paragliding and rock climbing are also available.
Tips:
- Bring trekking essentials and an extra pair of clothes.
- Avoid visiting during the monsoon season.
- Winter is the best time to visit Jalagamparai Waterfalls.
Amirthi Zoological Park
Amirthi is the largest forest in Tamil Nadu. You only have to travel around one hour from JK Inn to reach this nature’s wonder that stretches to 25 hectares. It is a favorite spot for nature lovers who enjoy animal watching and trekking.
Features of the land:
- Situated under the Javadu Hills across the Amirthi River
- There is a one-kilometer-long trekking trail.
- Seasonal waterfalls
- Best for nature walks and animal watching
- Tourists are allowed on one half of the jungle and entry is prohibited on the other half since it is a complete wildlife sanctuary.
- An ideal place to visit with family
Tips:
- Recommended to visit during monsoon season when the forest is at its peak beauty
- Entry time is from 8 am to 5 pm.
- Very cheap and affordable entry fees ( ₹2 per person and for bicycles, ₹3 for motor vehicles and ₹ 5 for larger vehicles including vans.
- There’s a meditation hall and rest houses inside the park where you can rest if you feel tired.
Local Markets and Shopping
Vellore loves hosting tourists with the best infrastructure available in the city. Since it is a tourist location, you can find several local markets, supermarkets, and malls inside the city.
Vellore City Market
In the Vellore city market, you’ll find anything you want. There are several local shops where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, accessories, furniture, and other products. If you love collecting crafts and souvenirs, then Vellore market is the best place to visit. Buy several handmade products, arts and crafts from one visit to the market in Vellore.
Markets in Vellore:
- Lang Bazaar Market/Sunday Market
- Agmarket Mandi in Vellore
- Katpadi Farmers Vegetable Market
- Annapoorna Complex
- Sree Magalakshmi Store
Dining and Entertainment
For food lovers, Vellore has much to offer. The cuisine of Vellore is connected to most of the south Indian cuisine but the local varieties bring uniqueness to these foods. Vellore has several local varieties of famous South Indian dishes.
Local Restaurants
Want to have the authentic taste of Vellore? We recommend you go to the local restaurants here. Choosing local eateries over huge restaurants will help you enjoy the flavors of Vellore at very cheap rates.
Local eateries:
- Hotel Saravana Bhavan
- Murugan Idli Shop
- Hotel Aryaas
- Lalitha Vihaar
Must-try dishes:
- Barotta, a type of flatbread made from all-purpose flour
- Chicken Varuval, dry fried chicken full of flavors
- Meen Kuzhambu, a local fish curry prepared in the traditional way.
- Pazham Dosai, a sweet and delicious food made from dosa and banana
Cafés and Dessert Spots
Vellore has several famous cafes and dessert spots. If you feel like craving some sweet savories during your stay at Vellore, you can find the perfect places to fulfill the cravings.
- Ibaco
- ABC Bakery
- Belgian Waffles. co
- Lassi House
- Cream N Fudge
Activities and Experiences
Are you someone who enjoys local life and experiences? Vellore is a place where you’ll find various opportunities to be a part of the local culture. Wherever you’re from, whichever language you speak, Vellore will surprise you in many ways, disregarding the differences you have. Even if Tamil and Telugu are the most spoken languages of Vellore, the friendly nature of the residents will help you connect with them.
Local Festivals and Events
Vellore is rich in culture, traditions, festivals and local events. This is another factor that makes Vellore a major tourist place in Tamil Nadu. Vellore experiences an increased number of visitors to the city during the time of festivals and celebrations.
- Gangaiamman Thiruvizha celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month Vaikasi.
- Pushpa Pallaku is celebrated during the month of April.
- Festivals like Pongal, Diwali and Christmas are also celebrated here.
Adventure Activities
Vellore feels like home for adventure lovers because of the adventurous activities available in the city. Tourist attractions in Vellore offer several options for adventurous activities, including trekking, rock climbing, water sports, aerial activities, and many more.
Mountain View Adventure Park:
Located at the Yelagiri, it is a must-visit place for adventure seekers visiting Vellore. It provides several options to have your blood boiling.
- Trekking
- Zipline
- ATV
- Bungee Ejection
- Paintball
- Slingshot
- Trampoline
Practical Information
Let’s share some information on how to make your trip and stay in Vellore more enjoyable.
Transportation Options
Due to the availability of various transportation options available in Vellore, you can commute from one place to another very easily. The Government of Vellore gives keen attention to the infrastructural facilities in the city since the number of visitors has been going higher every year. They promote tourism by providing facilities to make the stay of our guests as enjoyable as possible with no troubles. The transportation options include:
- Public transport
- Car rentals
- Ride-sharing options
- Renting other vehicles
Accommodation Alternatives
Vellore hotels offer a very comfortable stay at budget prices. There are several accommodation options available in Vellore, including homestays, lodgings and hotels. JK Inn is the most preferred hotel by national and international travelers. TKK Residency, Vijay Shree Inn, Jaya Krishna Mansions and Chandra Royal Residency are few other budget friendly hotels in Vellore.
Conclusion
If you’ve stayed with us this far, you may now understand why visiting Vellore is a must and what makes JK INN the best place of accommodation in the area. Vellore is such a nice place where you’ll find the friendliest people and the prettiest places that have stories to tell. The cultural heritage and the historical background of the district can be seen clearly and heard loudly wherever you go in this location. Plan your next trip to Vellore, one of the least explored places in India.
Accommodation can be a concern for tourists who want to visit Vellore since there are a lot of options available and finding the best one matching your budget and requirements is difficult. JK INN offers 45+ well-furnished and air-conditioned hotel rooms at the heart of Vellore city at affordable rates. Our luxurious rooms come in different sizes and bedspace that can be chosen based on the number of guests. We provide free pickup and drop from JK Inn to CMC Ranipet Campus and Golden Temple. Staying at JK INN gives you a financial advantage by reducing the cost of traveling because of the place we are located in Vellore.
We understand the importance of Vellore city and the humility of the people living here. Think no more and book your rooms with us to experience the utmost hospitality of our people as we offer a luxurious experience at budget amounts.