Best Places to Visit in Vellore – Forts, Temples & Natural Attractions

1. Vellore Fort 

Built by Bommi and Thimma Reddy in 16th century, Vellore Fort an architectural marvels and one of the Major attraction in Vellore that is popularly known as as the ‘Pride of Vellore and one of the top things to do in Vellore city’ is visiting the fort. The fort sprawls over a 133 acres and contains a mosque, temples, 2 palaces and a garden. This building is an example par-excellence of the military architecture. It also has magnificent ramparts, great moats and hearty masonry.

• Location: Balaji Nagar, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004

• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Daily

• Best Time to Visit: During any season except summer periods.

• Entry Fees: INR 5

2. Jalakandeswarar Temple 

The Jalakandeswarar Temple which is constructed in the Vijayanagara architecture consists of Lord Jalakandeswarar, who is the avatar of Lord Shiva. The temple consists of two courtyards, a main shrine and a couple of sub-shrine. Glorious sculpture, pillars done ornately, and some carvings on the ceilings form the main attraction of the temple. Popular festivals that are celebrated here are – Chaitra Poornima, Mahashivaratri, Aadipooram, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navarathri attending which is another fun thing to do in the city.

• Location: Balaji Nagar, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004

• Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8;30 pm

• Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year

• Entry Fees: Free

3. Archaeological Survey of India Museum

The museum has sculptures and art and craft from 8 century. The museum is distributed over two buildings with a good collection of ancient statues, coins, bronze, paintings, metalwork, stone and wooden carvings. Touring the Archaeological Survey of India Museum tops the list for things to do in Vellore.

• Location: Balaji Nagar, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004

• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Saturdays to Thursdays [Closed on Fridays] – Ideal For: Group, Solo, Couple, Family

• Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year

• Entry Fees: INR 5

4. Vainu Bappu Observatory

Alternatively it is called as the Kavalur Observatory, and a visit to the place is one of the fun things to do in Vellore. M.K. Vainu Bappu who was director of the Kodaikanal Observatory had set up the observatory in 1986. Spread over a 100 acre piece of forest land, the observatory is surrounded by the rich green foliage of the tropical zone. The observatory consists of a 93-inch telescope, Fabry-Perot Interferometer, 1.3-metre J.C Bhattacharya telescope, 1m Carl Zeiss Telescope and other small telescopes.

• Location: Javadi Hills, Alangayam, Kavalur, Tamil Nadu 635701

• Opening Hours: 3:00 PM to 9:00 only on Saturdays

• Ideal For: Astronomy Enthusiasts

• Establishment: 1986

• Entry Fees: Free

5. Yelagiri Hill Station

Yelagiri which is located 920 meters above sea level, is a cute but not so popular but it worth it hill station in the town. Yelagiri with an area of 30 sq km has many lakes, meadows, waterfalls, tea-estates and orchards. Rock climbing, paragliding, roping, camping, trekking are some of the things to do when you are in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The place also gives a number of spectacular views of the city from the top of Swamimalai Hill.

• Location: Yelagiri, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 635853

• Ideal For: Nature Lover and Adventure Enthusiasts

• Best Time to Visit: November to February

6. Delhi Gate

Sitting on the shores of River Palar, the Delhi gate was an access point to the Arcot Fort, and was a part of famous Siege of Arcot which makes it a place that one should check out when in Vellore. The location has all manner of ruins and it is historically significant, since it was where the British conquered the French in the Siege of Arcot. If you’re one of Anglo-indian history buffs you know where to come to get the feel of the British history in India.

• Location: Vellore, Tamil Nadu, Arcot – Kanchipuram Rd, Arcot 632503

• Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

• Best Time to Visit: Evening

• Entry Fees: Free

7. Amirthi Zoological Park

Amirthi Zoological, covering an area over 25 hectares was first opened for the public in 1967. With more than 20 species of animals to enjoy, Amirthi Zoological Park is perfect on the things to do in the city. Some of the animals that can be found here include spotted deer, red-headed parrots, pythons, reason monkeys,mongoose ,foxes, tortoises and eagles.

• Location: Amirthi, Kannamangalam, Kathalampattu R.F, Tamil Nadu 632102.

• Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday:08:00 AM to 05:00 PM [closed on Tuesdays]

• Best Time to Visit: October to February

• Entry Fees: INR 2

8. St. John’s Church

Opened in the year 1846, St. John’s church is one of the oldest churches in the city. The church has English Gothic style of architecture and is quite famous for its historic significance, interior decoration and the wonderful idol of Jesus on the cross, the result is that this is one of the most visited places in the city. British soldiers who lost their lives in Sepoy Mutiny in buried here.

• Location: Vellore Fort, Fort Round Rd, Balaji Nagar- Tamil Nadu 632004

• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 6.30 PM Daily

• Best Time to Visit: Sunday or On any auspicious day

• Entry Fees: Free

9. Tipu and Hyder Mahal

There are two castles within the complex of Vellore Fort, Tipu Mahal and Hyder Mahal. Said to have architecture on the two castles are around 180 to 200 rooms each respectively. The design both inside and out on the granite walls will mesmerize you. And also because of the high-security reason, the place is closed for the tourists right now but make sure you visit this place on the trip to the city, as it is one of the top things to do in Vellore.

• Location: Balaji Nagar, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004

• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

• Entry Fees: INR 5

10. Palamathi Hills

Away from the hustle-bustle of the city, Palamathi Hills is one of the coolest places in the city for sightseeing. Its wonderful scenic beauty and breathtaking sceneries make Palamathi hills ideal for relaxation, photography, bird-watching, picnicking and other sorts of adventure treks that make some of the best thing to explore in Vellore.

• Location: Bagayam, India

• Ideal For: Friends and Family

• Best Time to Visit: October to March

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