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Vellore, settled in the heart of Tamil Nadu, is truly a rich combination of history, spirituality and modernity. Famous for its historical temples, nature, festivals and more. Vellore city, along with its suburban areas is spread across approximately 200 km² with a population of 484,690 as of the 2011 census.
It is located about 137.20 kilometres (85 mi) west of Chennai, and about 213.20 kilometres (132 mi) east of Bangalore. This city has played an important role during the Maratha, Muslim, and British wars of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Maybe you are a traveler, nature lover or spiritual seeker, this is one of the perfect destinations for you people. And it is sure that this place has something to show you all.
Let’s get deeper about this place.
Where is Vellore?
Vellore is a city located in Tamil Nadu’s southern part, lies on the banks of Palar River. It is a central point in the region, well-connected by road and rail as it is positioned between Chennai and Bengaluru.
Vellore has a rich historical background as it was once a stronghold during various dynasties, including the Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagar Empire. Apart from this, the city is recognized for its educational and medical institutions.
Why is Vellore Popular?
I already gave you an outline about why Vellore is famous; let me detail more.
This is a gateway to wander Tamil Nadu’s fascinating cultural heritage. Coming to the historical side, Vellore has played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle. The Vellore Fort, one of the largest and preserved forts in the country, is a tribute to this.
When it comes to education, we can say this is a hub with renowned institutions like Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), attracting students from across the globe and Christian Medical College (CMC), one of the prestigious healthcare institutions which is in Ananthapuram, a village in Vellore.
Coming to the spiritual side, Vellore stands out for having a beautiful Golden Temple that attracts devotees and tourists.
Famous things you shouldn’t miss buying:
Are you a shopaholic? Then you must know this.
Vellore in Tamil Nadu, India is known for its leather goods, silk saris, jewelry, and other handicrafts.
Leather goods: Here, you can find leather shoes, wares and other leather goods. Also Vellore exports furnished leather goods.
Silk Sarees: If you are a person who loves sarees, this is the place you will find huge collections of traditional silk sarees.
Major textiles you will find at Vellore are Chennai Silks, Pachaiyappas Silks and Max Fashion.
Vellore jewellery: Vellore is a city where you get to see an immense range of collections in Jewelleries from branded jewellery showrooms including, TataGold Plus, Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers.
Additionally, you will find crafted items, pooja products and other handicrafts in Vellore.
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Vellore
It is true that Vellore’s charm lies in its diverse range of attractions, each telling a unique story:
A large 16th-century fort, built by the Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire. The witness of the first mutiny happened against the British. It is considered as the symbol of strength.
A stunning temple with shimmering gold and a peaceful atmosphere. Devotees from all over the world come to seek blessings. It has taken 7 years to finish the construction.
Temple, built in the 16th century, located in the Vellore Fort, now under the Archaeological Survey of India for its maintenance. A Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Archaeological Survey of India Museum (ASI):
Located inside the Badusha Mahal and Begum Mahal of Vellore Fort. It has ancient stones, statues and coin collections that are as old as 1000 years. And even a venue for temporary exhibitions.
Park, which was built in 1967, is ideal for nature lovers with a zoo and wildlife sanctuary. A perfect place for families and group travelers, with resting places, information centers, etc.
- Sri Margabandeeswarar Temple:
Also known as Virinchipuram Rathunathar Temple, built by Chola Kings with stonework walls, rajagopuram and sculptures. This is a worship place of Lord Shiva.
- Christian Medical College (CMC):
Founded by Dr. Ida Sophia Scudder in 1900, where the patients were treated with deep care and humanity. Provide healthcare facilities with primary, secondary, and tertiary care services.
- Yelagiri Hills:
Do you love trekking? Our next destination in Vellore is Yelagiri Hills, located at an altitude of 1,410 m (4,630 ft). The winding ghat road and 14 hairpin bends will lead you to Yelagiri.
- Ratnagiri Murugan Temple:
Situated at the top of a hill, where the festivals celebrated are Thaipusam and Panguni Uthiram. At the entrance you can see Lord Ganesha, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Brahma, and Goddess Durga, among others.
- French Bungalow:
Our last stop. This is a romantic tale to be told, built by the prince of Mysore, Srinivasa Iyer. He lived there with his wife, a French woman whom he fell in love with while studying abroad.
Most Celebrated Festivals in Vellore
It’s time to celebrate!
Vellore is really a city of celebrations, making it an even more appealing destination for travelers. The most worshiped and famous deity in Vellore is Lord Shiva in the form of Lingam. Almost all the festivals in Vellore are connected with Lord Shiva.
The top festivals celebrated in Vellore are:
A nine-night festival, celebrated in March or April. The festival is to celebrate Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, for strength, wealth, and wisdom. People celebrate it with dolls (Golu), which are used to decorate homes and temples.
Also, there will be carnatic music programs by singers, dance performances on gods and goddesses stories by the dancers and you can even see street programming.
Let’s get into the day of light.
Light has a major role across India, especially during festivals. Karthigai Deepam is a beautiful combination of spirituality and tradition. It is said that Lord Shiva appeared to solve the conflict between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.
People light up their homes, streets and temples with thousands of oil lamps on this day. People do share sweets and spend time with their loved ones.
This is in May!
The month of celebration for Vellore people. This is an annual festival, where visitors from all places visit and celebrate the city’s heritage. The whole city will turn into a colourful place that brings art, tradition, culture, everything together.
Visiting during this time may let you witness exhibitions and cultural performances and can allow you to explore different foods and even participate in activities too.
This is quite a famous and special one. A celebration to thank nature, the Sun, and the livestock that sustains lives. It is celebrated in 4 days and it is considered as Tamil’s new year, making it a fresh start for everything.
On these 4 days you may get a chance to know the taste of different pongals and witness cultural events. If you are planning to celebrate pongal, my suggestion is to plan earlier to travel smartly.
“Gangai Amman”, the name itself tells what it is. A famous Thiruvizha in Vellore dedicated to Goddess Gangai Amman, believed to be the guardian deity of the Palar River. An estimated half a million people attend the festival every year.
It is said that the goddess emerged from the Palar River to protect the region from drought and calamities, earning her the title “Gangai Amman” (Mother Ganga).
Languages Spoken by the People
Here comes the reflection of culture!
Anyone thought of what language people speak in Vellore? It’s quite interesting, because there are 2 and more languages they speak and each language has a story behind it.
The primary language spoken is Tamil, widely used in daily life for communication. And if you are first in Vellore, knowledge of Tamil will be helpful for an easy visit.
15% of people speak Telugu, as it is near Andhra Pradesh. 5% of the population speaks Urdu, mainly spoken by the city’s Muslim community. The language for education and tourism is English, which is spoken by just 5% of people.
The language that is used in schools, colleges and even hotels for official communication. The other languages spoken are Kannada and Hindi, which is very little.
Geography and Climate in Vellore
This will be detailed information for you.
Vellore is at 12.92°N 79.13°E, 220m above sea level, and has a tropical savanna climate. It is in the Vellore district of the South Indian state, Tamil Nadu, 135km (84 mi) west of the state capital Chennai and 30 km (19 mi) south of Chittoor, across the Andhra Pradesh border.
The temperature of Vellore ranges from 13°C (55 °F) to 39.4 °C (102.9 °F). Here, April to June are the hottest months and December to January are the mildest. Vellore receives 1,034.1 mm (40.71 in) of rainfall every year.
The southwestern monsoon from June to September brings 517.1 millimetres or 20.36 inches of rainfall, with September being the rainiest month.
The northeastern monsoon which lasts from October to December brings 388.4 millimetres or 15.29 inches of rainfall. The humidity ranges from 40%–63% during summer and 67%–86% during winter.
Changes in the 20th century
In earlier times, the economic side of Vellore district was not so developed. Industries like Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited in Ranipet and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Explosives Limited, and the locality of Katpadi were established as the result of Vellore government policy.
The growth of small scale industries in the district has generated employment opportunities and benefited farmers. Women-driven self help groups have played an important role in building the rural economy and teaching rural women to be independent.
It has also seen a period of upward social growth with improvement in literacy and the local economy. The city has experienced drastic economic, social and cultural changes in the 20th century.
Vellore Politics: Changes and Progress
Vellore has a rich political history shaped by its cultural, social and economic significance. Historically, the city was an important region during the British colonial era, known for the Vellore Mutiny of 1806.
After independence, the place became the political focal point in Tamil Nadu, with its politics largely influenced by Dravidian parties like the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam),dominated the region. In recent years, Vellore’s political landscape has seen the rise of newer political parties like the NTK (Naam Tamilar Katchi) and national parties such as the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). Also became a spotlight for industrial development, water scarcity, and infrastructure growth.
Top 10 foods you must try
Let’s get into the main part!
Let me guess – you are a food lover and want to explore some foods from Vellore, right? You are on your right click.
Here are your dishes:
- Ambur Biryani:
Let’s start with biryani, Vellore’s pride. Originated from the place Ambur, Tamil Nadu. With minimal spices and natural flavours of meat, chillies and rice, this one takes people’s hearts.
- Vellore Special Dosas:
Are you a dosa lover? Here you can take a PhD on different dosas. From plain dosa to podi dosa, this place will teach and allow you to taste different types of dosas.
- Paratha and Salna:
The star among the locals. Paratha is one of the most preferred street foods. This will complete when it is paired with Salna, which too has different versions.
- Filter Coffee:
A must-drink for South Indians. Actually, it is considered as a medicine for headaches, stress, etc. The interesting part is the filter coffee is served in Dabara (steel tumbler and saucer).
- Desserts:
Finished your lunch or dinner? Let’s have some sweet desserts to complete the meal. From Jelebi to Adhirasam, there are many options for you to fall in love with.
Let’s spice it up!
- Chicken Varuval:
This is perfect for a non-vegetarian. A spicy fried chicken curry feels like heaven when it pairs with paratha or plain rice. Known for its balance of black pepper and red chili.
- Meen Kuzhambu:
This is Tamil Nadu’s special dish, made in clay pots and ovens with freshwater fish. There are some variations in this dish according to the regions.
- Vellore Paya:
It is famous for its spiciness and flavor. Often served with idiyappam, appam, kal dosa and rice. Actually, it is a nutritious gelatinous soup, good for the body.
- Ragi Mudde:
Let’s know about the Vellore locals. Ragi Mudde is called the ‘poor man’s food’. A popular dish, which is very easy to cook with minimal ingredients.
- Poli:
Finally we came to the special one, Poli, the festive treat. A must dish for weddings, festivals and other celebrations. And even offered as prasadam in temples.
Best Time to Visit Vellore
Planning to visit Vellore? Don’t know when to visit?
Choosing the right days for exploring will allow you to increase the experience. Just read this and understand the place’s climate!
Winter (November to February): These are the perfect months with cooler temperatures, making them ideal for sightseeing. It is perfect to enjoy the attractions, including Jalakandeswarar Temple, Vellore Fort and Yelagiri Hills these days.
Summer (March to June): It will be quite hot in summer, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. If you are planning to visit during these months, it is advisable to go for outdoor programs during early mornings and late evenings.
Monsoon (July to September): This season brings greenery here, like everything around you may appear greenish, making the visitors’ eyes a pleasantness. And even unexpected rainfall can occur, which may affect your outdoor plans.
So plan according to this seasonal chart.
How to Choose the Best Hotel?
Are you new to this place? Need guidance on how to choose the best hotel? Here’s how:
While choosing the best hotel in Vellore, you need a few things to keep in mind, including safety.
Location: It is always good to choose a hotel near the main attractions that makes you more convenient while exploring.
Amenities: It is essential to choose a hotel with comfortable rooms, modern amenities and excellent service, especially while staying with family.
Guest Reviews: Let me tell you a smart way to choose. Look for clients’ positive reviews to know about the hotel’s quality. Here’s where JK Inn guarantees an excellent experience.
Other tips you should consider are safety and hygiene which is a must and activities and entertainments for families especially for the people travelling with kids.
Conclusion
Let’s conclude this!
Vellore, a city that has something for everyone. People across the world including spiritual seekers, nature lovers, festival enthusiasts and even food lovers come here to experience things that they haven’t experienced before.
Whether you are here to explore magnificent forts and temples or attending festivals, Vellore will offer you a wealth of experiences. From exploring attractions to witnessing famousing festivals, it gives you some freshness to your eyes and mind.
JK Inn: Your Perfect Comfort Retreat in Vellore
You will be travelling with your family, right? So it is a must to opt for the best hotel for comfort.
JK Inn Vellore is the best hotel for a comfortable stay with a luxury feel. With all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, we provide customized family packages with excellent services.
We are best at providing a clean environment as we prioritize our customer satisfaction, allowing them to have a healthy staycation. Additionally, we give pick-up and drop-off services too. With our outstanding services, we stand in the No. 1 position.
Ready to book your stay at JK Inn? contact us to reserve your room today!
