VELLORE - TIRUVANNAMALAI - GINGEE FORT (FROM CHENNAI)

About Balamurugan Temple

At a distance of 17 Km from Vellore, the Balamurugan Temple, commonly referred to as the Ratnagiri Murugan Temple, is an ancient Hindu shrine perched on a hillock in Ratnagiri, within the Ranipet district of Tamil Nadu. Positioned along the Vellore-Chennai Highway, it is one of the important pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu, and among the must-visit places as part of Vellore packages. This temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, and the 14th-century poet Arunagirinathar has composed verses celebrating this sacred place, highlighting that Murugan, the deity of the Devas, resides in Ratnagiri.

History of Balamurugan Temple

The Ratnagiri Balamurugan Temple was initially constructed as a modest sand edifice in the 14th century. It underwent a significant transformation into a grand stone sanctuary in 1980, thanks to the efforts of Bala Muruganadimai .....

About Margabandeswarar Temple

At a distance of 13 Km from Vellore, Sri Margabandeswarar Temple is a 13th century Hindu temple situated at Virinjipuram in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. Situated on the southern bank of the Palar River, it one of the must visit places as part of the Vellore family packages. Commonly referred to as the Virinjipuram Temple, this sacred temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and features exquisite stone carvings and grand Dravidian architecture, a testament to the artistry of the Chola Dynasty rulers. The temple is also called the 'Baskara Kshetram', where the Sun God is said to worship the shiva lingam when its rays fall on it in the month of Panguni. This site is recognized as a monument of national importance and is preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History of Margabandeswarar Temple

The Sri Margabandeeswarar Temple was constructed many years .....

About Vellore Fort

At a distance of 1.5 Km from Vellore Town Railway Station, the Vellore Fort is a 16th-century fort situated in the heart of the Vellore city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the famous heritage sites near Chennai, and among the must include places in Vellore tour packages. The fort is distinguished by its impressive ramparts, expansive moat, and sturdy masonry. Vellore Fort stands as a prime example of military architecture in South India and is one of the unique constructions in the country. Additionally, the fort represents secularism, as it houses a temple, a mosque, and a church within its premises.

The fort exemplifies the Dravidian architectural style. Spanning an area of 133 acres within a rugged mountain range, it is encircled by a deep moat that once teemed with approximately 10,000 crocodiles, serving as an additional defense mechanism against potential invasions. The structure features .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Vellore Town Railway Station, The Tipu Mahal and Hyder Mahal are the palaces located inside the Vellore Fort. The Tipu Mahal has 180 rooms with a central pillar hall and the Hyder Mahal on the same campus housed over 200 rooms.

It is believed that Tipu resided here with his family during the war against the British. The palaces are closed to public nowadays as they serve as a high security prison. During the British rule, Tipu Sultan's family was detained here and the last king of Sri Lanka in captivity.

On July 10, 1806, before sunrise, the Indian sepoys stationed in the fort attacked the European barracks there, and had killed about 15 Officers and 100 English soldiers and ransacked their houses. Some of the rebelling soldiers also urged the sons of Tipu Sultan to lead the campaign. After this Sepoy Mutiny, the British transferred Tipu's sons and daughters to Calcutta. The Tombs of Bakshi Begum, widow of Hyder Ali and Padshah Begum, Tipu's wife, .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Vellore Town Railway Station, St John's Church is an ancient church located inside the Vellore Fort. This church is one of the oldest churches in Vellore.

St. Johns Church is a part of the Churches of South India and is one of the biggest churches in South India. The church was started in 1846 by the Reform Church of America (RCA). The church was shifted from the Filterbed Road to its present location in the fort. The British soldiers who lost their life during the Sepoy Mutiny have been buried in the church premises. There are many inscriptions preserved in the church that provide history of the shrine. Regular prayers are still held in this church.

At a distance of 1.5 km from Vellore Town Railway Station, Vellore Fort Mosque is situated inside the Vellore Fort. This mosque is also known as Nawab Chanda Sahib Mosque.

This Mosque was built in 1750 by Nawab Chanda Sahib. It is one of the important attractions in Vellore Fort. The entrance of the Masjid is on the northern side of the Vellore Fort. This mosque has been constructed using Brick and lime and still stands in good shape. This Indo-Saracenic style mosque has a prayer hall and the dimensions of the hall are 40 feet in length and 15 feet in breadth. At the centre of the mosque there is a big dome with minars on the sides. The mosque is decorated with floral designs.

Presently prayers are not conducted inside the mosque.

At a distance of 83 km from Vellore, 120 km from Kanchipuram, 195 km from Chennai, and 204 km from Bangalore, the Arunachaleswara Temple is a sacred Hindu shrine situated at Thiruvannamalai near Kanchi in Tamilnadu. It is one of the greatest Shaiva places of pilgrimage in South India and among the most popular temples to visit near Bangalore & Chennai.

Also known as Annamalaiyar Temple, Arunachala Temple is a breathtaking temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple was constructed by Vijayanagara kings between 16th and the 17th centuries. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as it is one of the pancha bhoota sthalams, which are dedicated to the manifestation of five natural elements. Legend has it that the Lord has manifested himself as an element of fire or Agni in this temple. The temple is believed to be the eighth-largest Hindu temple in the world, .....

About Gingee Fort

At a distance of 2 Km from Gingee Bus Stand, 71 Km from Pondicherry, 85 Km from Kanchipuram, and 93 Km from Vellore, Gingee Fort or Senji Fort is an ancient hill fort situated at the Gingee village in the Villupuram district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the largest surviving forts in Tamilnadu, and among the popular heritage sites near Chennai. The fort complex is characterized by its imposing walls and meticulously crafted defenses. Its fortifications were so formidable that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha king, deemed it the 'most impregnable fortress in India,' while the British referred to it as the 'Troy of the East.' A visit to the fort provides an exceptional opportunity to appreciate the architectural excellence and cultural heritage of South India.

History of Gingee Fort

The origins of Gingee Fort are shrouded in some mystery, but most historians believe .....