Vellore, a city with a rich historical and cultural background has many interesting places to visit within a 100 km radius. The most popular site of interest is the Vellore Fort which is famous for its architecture and history. The Jalakandeswarar Temple within the fort is a good example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture and hence is a good place for history and culture lovers.
A little away from Vellore, tourists can visit the sacred and beautiful temple of Sripuram, which is entirely coated with gold. Yelagiri Hills, which is a natural beauty spot is another place of attraction for nature lovers which offers trekking and viewpoint facilities. If one is inclined towards history, spirituality or nature, there is a lot to do around Vellore and the list is not exhaustive.
Top 10 Must-Visit Tourist Destinations Near Vellore Within 100 km:
1. Vellore Fort
Located just 5 km away from the city centre, Vellore Fort is a historical monument, which was constructed during the 16th century by the Vijayanagara Empire. This fort has huge granite walls and a very beautiful architectural design of the Jalakandeswarar Temple situated inside the fort.
Tourists can walk through the complex which includes impressive buildings and get acquainted with the history of the fort as one of the first centers of the rebellion against the British in 1806.
2. Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple
The Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple is a beautiful temple that is about 8 km away from Vellore and is a temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. The temple is, however, remarkable for its gold-like structure and the calm environment it is located.
Many devotees and tourists visit the place owing to its religious environment and well-maintained gardens. It also has smaller temples and is perfect for prayer and meditation.
3. Amirthi Zoological Park
Located at a distance of approximately 25 km from Vellore, Amirthi Zoological Park is one of the famous tourist spots for families and wildlife lovers.
The park covers an area of over 25 hectares and has many animals and birds such as the spotted deer, monkeys and several types of exotic birds. It also has a waterfall and picnic areas hence making it a perfect place to have a day out in the park.
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4. Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, the temple city or the city of thousand temples is located about 63 Km away from Vellore. This city is one of the oldest cities in India and is well known for its cultural and archaeological sites and temples such as Kailasanatha Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple.
All the temples are well preserved and depict the Dravidian style of architecture and give information about the religious history of the place. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silk sarees and therefore one can find many shops in this area that deals in textiles.
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5. Sripuram Golden Temple
Sripuram Golden Temple is another architectural beauty that is 8 km away from Vellore and is also devoted to Goddess Lakshmi. The temple has gold leaf and is carved in various gods and goddesses and other carvings are also seen on the walls of the temple.
This makes the temple to be a sacred place of worship since it is located in a calm and quiet place that adds to the worship experience.
6. Kaigal Waterfalls
About 70 km away from Vellore, Kaigal Waterfalls is situated close to Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. This natural waterfall is about 40 feet high and it is ideal for picnic and photography since it has an excellent view of the surrounding environment.
The environment is rich with vegetation and offers a serene environment for tourists, especially those who want to get away from the city’s noise.
7. Palamathi Hills
Palamathi Hills is located 35 km away from Vellore and has beautiful scenery of the area. This is a perfect place for trekking and nature walks as there are several tracks that pass through the thick forest and steep rocks among others.
Due to its relatively high altitude and beautiful landscapes, it is a perfect place for those in search of fresh air and opportunities for leisure activities during hot summer in the plain areas of the country.
8. Thiruvannamalai
About 84 Km away from Vellore, Thiruvannamalai has the sacred Arunachala Hill and the temple of Annamalaiyar, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The town is famous for the pilgrims across India who come to perform the rituals and festivals all the year. There are also several ashrams that tourists can visit which are involved in teaching and practising spirituality.
9. Vainu Bappu Observatory
Located in Kavalur which is approximately 80 km from Vellore, Vainu Bappu Observatory is one of the premier astronomical research facilities in India.
This observatory is currently undergoing construction work and therefore the public has limited access to the site but the natural environment of the place is breathtaking with lots of trees. It is the right place for astronomy lovers who would want to gain more knowledge about the universe.
10. Elagiri Hills
Elagiri Hills is situated about 90 Km from Vellore and is a perfect place to visit as the climate is comparatively cool and the valleys are full of fruit gardens and tea gardens.
Some of the activities include trekking, boating at Punganoor Lake and visiting the nearby village where Tamil culture is preserved. The hills are ideal for lovers of nature who would want to spend some time in solitude while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Conclusion
Many tourist attractions are within easy driving distance from Vellore and hence this is a good starting point for any trip. There are numerous places to visit and explore in and around Vellore including Vellore fort, and for nature lovers, there are waterfalls such as the Kaigal waterfalls and hills such as the Elagiri hills.
For spiritual blessings, adventurous activities or just to marvel at the beauty of nature, here are ten sites around Vellore that could provide you with the best of what you are looking for. It is therefore advisable to plan for the trip well with Tusk Travel to maximize the experience of visiting this culturally vibrant region of Tamil Nadu.
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