VELLORE FORT: GUIDE FOR ALL FIRST TIME VISITORS

“The iron throne of South India”, the golden seat of Pallavas, Cholas, Marathas, Bijapur sultans, and
Arcot Nawabs dynasties, Vellore is an archaic district with a rich Historical past showcased in every
corner.”Fort city” as it is aptly known as; Vellore is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in
Tamil Nadu. Many describe the experience of this place as travelling back in time and witnessing the
rich royal history, which is one of the main reasons associated with its popularity. The tranquillity
and elegance of this city’s temples, as one walks through the street and simply takes in the views
and feel is something of a magical experience.

This golden district is located at 139 km from Chennai and 166 km North of Pondicherry. The best
way to reach this place by road is through government-run MTC bus. Tourists can also reach this
place by train. The nearest airport is Tirupathi international airport located 130 km away. If you are
keen to visit the nearby places, it is advisable to hire or bring your private vehicle to take your time
and move around the district. Although tourists can visit Vellore at any time of the year and have an
intense cultural exposure, the weather during the summer months of April-may can be very harsh
with heat reaching up to 42 degrees easily. It is desirable to visit Vellore during the winter, especially
during November – February all the while which your visit is guaranteed to be pleasant. The search
for the best historical experience ends at the Vellore Fort, which awards the utmost heritage trip
one could hope for.

HISTORY: STORY BEHIND VELLORE FORT:

Before you visit any place of immense cultural and historical importance having a fair knowledge of
history associated with the place aides the richness of the exposure when you visit the place.
Knowing the rich background of the Fort will make it more valuable in your eyes when you visit.

The Vellore Fort is a 16th-century fortress built by the Vijayanagara Empire during their peak. It was
the headquarters of the empire. Unlike other famous forts in India which are owned and inherited
by a single dynasty, The Vellore fort was occupied by different rulers at different points of time.
Thus, being ruled by multiple kings has made the fort a depiction of mixed culture and religion,
which makes it more fascinating.

The multiple faiths can be a witness in the various places inside the fort such as the Jalakanteswarar
temple, a church and a mosque. Following the downfall of Tipu sultan's empire, his family was kept
captive inside the fortress. Also, this fort is associated with the first revolt against the British empire
in the year 1806. A mixture of historical details at every turn is not to be missed when you visit the
fort.

THINGS TO DO: OBSERVING THE ARCHITECTURE:

The Vellore Fort is one of the classical examples of medieval military architecture. It is regarded as
the best in South India. The ideal way to witness the beauty and finesse of this 16th-century
masterpiece is by walking around the ramparts of the fort. An interesting fact that makes the Fort
more interesting is that the fort is completely made of granite stone, imported from the nearby
districts of Arcot and Chittor.

When one visits the famed Jalakanteswarar complex inside, you are greeted with exquisite bronze
and stone sculptures depicting the craftsmanship of earlier days. One dark secret associated with
this temple is that it was used as a secretive weapons store during the revolt against the British in
1806.

The intricate canal system provided an excellent military advantage. The dedicated bulwarks and
brickwork make the fort impenetrable. It is a common fable that the canals and moat were once
infested by crocodiles ready to feast upon any intruder, thus increasing the defence mechanism.

The various mahals inside the Fort complex dedicated to three main rulers are the - Tipu Mahal,
Begum Mahal and Kandi mahal. The Tipu Mahal has around 150 rooms and is adjacent to the famed
Hyder Mahal which has a whopping 200 rooms. These palaces have a very lavish interior
architecture matching the lifestyle lived by the Sultanates. The Kandi mahal associated with the last
king of Kandy near modern-day Sri Lanka is now utilised as a sub-registrar’s office.

Other places of interest inside the fort complex include the St. John’s church and the mosque.

Another feature which is a must-visit is the archaeological museum of India housed inside the fort.
The museum hosts a myriad of historical artefacts associated with the history of the fort and also the
culture and heritage of South India.

The entry fee to the fort is Rs.5/- for adults. It is free for Children. There are food stalls on the
outside of the first as well as scattered inside, so availability of refreshments is not an issue. The
minimum time taken to cover the entire fort is 2 hours.

If you are done with the tour and have a few hours to spare, here are a few other places in Vellore
which are as interesting and exciting as the Fort.

1. Sripruam golden temple:

Located at a distance of 15 km from the Vellore fort, this spiritual complex is just 25 minutes drive.
This divine haven gleaming with gold is perched on the green foothills at a place known as
“malaikodi”. The speciality of the temple is that the entirety of the main parts of the temple is
covered and layered in gold foil. Both the interior and exterior of the “mandap” and “vimana” has
been covered with gold. It is estimated that around 600 crores were spent during the construction of
the temple. The main deity associated with the temple is the Goddess Lakshmi. The serene
atmosphere combined with the lush greenery makes this temple a spiritual haven for devotees and
tourists alike. The temple is embellished with sculptures and intricately decorated pillars and roofs.
One amusing fact is related to the lighting of this temple. The lighting is designed in such a manner
that it shines even during the night, making it an all -in- all modern architectural wonder.

The entry to the temple is free and open all year round. The visiting time is from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m.
The visitors are requested to dress in proper attire and maintain decorum inside the temple. It takes
about 2-3 hours for a completely satisfying visit to the temple.
There are many other temples to visit in and around Vellore with different architecture and different
deities associated.

2. Muthu mandapam:
Another historical artefact that should not be missed is the Muthu mandapam. Associated with the
last ruler of Kandi Sri Lanka, Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe, this pearl-shaped memorial houses the tomb of
seven of his family members as well as the king himself. The chessboard and boomerang used by the
late king can be seen in the archaeological museum in fort Vellore. The royal descendants of the king
visit this mandap every year on his anniversary to pay their homage. This memorial is located near
the banks of the river Palar, along the ever-busy Katpadi main road. It is located at 3km from the
Fort.

3. Amrithi zoological park:

Located at a distance of 25 km from the city, this lush green park is a natural sanctuary. With a large
spread of 25 acres, half of the forest area is preserved as a wildlife sanctuary and the other half is a
favourite picnic spot. If you are a nature lover, a short trek for about a km inside the park leads you
to a seasonal waterfall and a scenic view from this point. Visitors can spot exotic animals and birds
such as rhesus monkeys, red-headed parrots, variety of deer etc. A walk through the rock path
among fresh herbal trees is bound to leave you refreshed. The park also has a meditation hall,
resting areas and a play area for kids. The best time to visit the park is during the holiday season and
winter season for the best climate.

4. Armamalai cave paintings:

If you are an archaeology aficionado, you must visit these ancient cave paintings. Located at about
65 km from main Vellore, this archaic reminder of a lost civilisation is a one hour drive. The caves are
known as “Pandava” caves by locals as some of the folklore believe that the Pandavas stayed briefly
here during their exile. It is a pre-historic cave with a primitive mud-base construction. The caves can
be dated well back to 8th century C.E. The cave is perched on a cliff and is an easy 25-minute trek to
the top. Though very, unfortunately, most of the cave paintings have eroded with time, there are
some marks left of the prehistoric period, making this a place worth visiting.

The historically rich district town of Vellore has lots to offer culturally and heritage wise. It is advised
to take your time and explore this rich district at leisure.