Vellore
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| Vellore | |
  Vellore
|
|
| State - District(s) |
Tamil Nadu - Vellore |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation |
4314.29 km² - 216 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2001) - Density |
177,413 - 701/km² |
| Mayor | |
| Codes - Postal - Telephone - Vehicle |
- 632 001 - +91-(0)416 - TN 23 |
Vellore pronunciation (வேலூர் in Tamil), is a city and a municipality in Vellore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
It is a historical town in southernmost India, is now the headquarters of Vellore district. The town lies on the banks of Palar River on the site of Vellore fort. Vellore is 140 km from Chennai and it is well connected with other cities by road & railways. The nearest railway station is Katpadi (5 km) and the closest Airport is in Chennai. Today, with its cosmopolitan look, Vellore stands as one of the fastest growing cities in India.
Contents |
[edit] History
Vellore has the blend of rich heritage and culture representing the ancient Dravidian civilization. Vellore had the privilege of being the seat of the Pallavas, Cholas, Nayak, Marathas, Arcot Nawabs and Bijapur Sultan Kingdoms. (None of these kings or dynasties, however, is a representative of Dravidian civilization.) It was described as the best and the strongest fortress in the Carnatic War in the 17th Century. The Vellore Mutiny of 1806 was one of the earliest upsurges against the British rule in India. Vellore District had always been on the forefront in the struggle for freedom. In fact the Sepoy Mutiny of 1806 A.D. that broke out inside the Vellore fort against the British authority is considered to be a prelude to the Great Revolt of 1857, which is often described by some historians as the First Indian War of Independence.
The monuments found in the district give a vivid picture of the town through the ages.
The outstanding performance of this district in contributing to the military service is commendable, as more and more men have enlisted themselves to the military service, to serve the national indomitable spirit and courage.
[edit] Geography
Vellore is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 216 metres (708 feet).
[edit] CMC Vellore
Christian Medical College & Hospitals, Vellore attracts a floating population of 5000 every day, it is because of the world famous Christian Medical College or CMC as it more familiarly known was founded in the early part of the last century by a dedicated American medical Missionary Dr. Ida S. Scudder. Besides having the world famous Cancer and Neurological Wards, it also has a Mental Health Hospital and a College of Nursing. People from all walks of life and all the states of India and beyond find their way to Vellore for treatment of every known human ailment.
Meghalaya has set up permanent accommodation in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, for patients travelling there for treatment from all over India. Urology and Gastroentroloy wards are really well equipped and highly modernize. Discipline is well enforced, and the doctors of CMC are committed to their job. Other than Tamil Nadu, CMC gets most of the patients from West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland & from neighbouring countries Bangladesh, Tibet, Nepal & Srilanka.
The dedication and service to the mankind has made CMC grow and has brought patients from different countries
[edit] Fort
The fortification consists of a main rampart broken at irregular intervals by round towers and rectangular projections. The main walls are built of massive granite stones surrounded by a broad moat fed with water by subterranean drains from the Suryagunta tank. Within the fort is the similarly aged Jalakanteswara Temple. The fort is one of the most perfect specimens of military architecture in Southern India. One of the interesting features of this Vellore fort is that there is a Hindu temple, Christian church and Muslim mosque inside the fort. In Hindu temple they worship Lord Shiva and Parvathy with the name " Sri Jalakenteswarar and Sri Akilanteswari".
[edit] Prison
The central prison in Vellore , set up in 1830 A.D. is another historically important land mark as some eminent personalities and freedom fighters like Thiru. Rajaji, Thiru C.N. Annadurai, Thiru. K. Kamaraj, the former presidents of India Thiru. V. V. Giri, Thiru. R. Venkataraman had served their prison terms here.
[edit] Education
One of India's most prestigious teaching hospitals, the Christian Medical College & Hospital, is located in Vellore; Thanthai Periyar Government Institute of Technology (TPGIT) is another Government Engineering College in Tamilnadu (It is named after E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker, the leader of the anti-Brahmin movement in Tamil Nadu. It is not clear if the college itself has any affiliation to EVR's anti-Hindu, anti-Brahmin, and indeed anti-India policies.) So is the Vellore Institute of Technology, an internationally known and growing educational institution recently accredited by IEE. The Schieffelin Leprosy Research and Training Centre (SLRTC) in Karigiri is world famous in its research area. Voorhees College is another famous educational centre run by the local diocese. Dr.S. Radhakrishnan, India's second President, passed from this institution.
The following are the Arts & Science Colleges in Vellore (alphabetical order)
- Auxilium Women's College.
- DKM Women's College.
- Muthurangam Government Arts College.
- Voorhees College.
Vellore has good old schools (alphabetical order)
- Government Muslim Higher Secondary School.
- Ida Scudder School.
- N.Krishnaswamy Higher Secondary school
- Siddhartha Senior Secondary School.
- Sri Venkateswara Higher Secondary School.
- Sunbeam Matriculation School.
- Vani Vidhyalaya Matriculation school.
- Voorhes Higher Secondary School.
[edit] Kavalur Observatory
Kavalur observatory is located in Kavalur in the Javadu Hills(a part of Eastern Ghats) in Alangayam, Vellore District. The observatory is at an altitude of 725 m above mean sea level (longitude 78° 49.6' E ; latitude 12° 34.6' N). Apart from being reasonably away from city lights and industrial areas, the location has been chosen in order to be closer to the earth's equator for covering both northern and southern hemispheres with equal ease. In addition, its longitudinal position is such that it is the only major astronomical facility between Australia and South Africa for observing the southern objects.
[edit] Yelagiri
Yelagiri hills, is an idyllic place for a short holiday. Green hills and picture post-card scenery greets you here. It is called the princess of hill stations and is the most pristine and unpolluted among the hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Yelagiri Hills is a backward area with few glaring developments like cottages and farm houses, yet a place that has maintained its 'remote' label.
[edit] Amirthi Forest
Amirthi zoological park is situated under the Javadu Hills of Tellai across Amirthi river which is 25 kms away from Vellore. It is a tourism spot. This zoological park was started in October, 1967. The area of the park is 25 hectares and one can find beautiful waterfalls. There are also different kinds of birds and animals. Play equipments like swings, seesaw etc., are available for children. Numerous kinds of herbal plants and trees and sandalwood trees also grow here. There are 2 rest houses and five members can stay in one dormitory. There is a meditating hall where one can have full concentration and be in serenity.
The inflow of tourists is more only during the holidays. This zoological park has been recognized recently and so the state Government has taken initiative to develop this area. The entrance fees is only Rs.2/- per head, Rs.3/- for cycles, Rs.5/- for vans and Rs.2/- for motor cycles. The Government earns Rs.6000/- per month and Rs.72,000/- per year by way of entrance fees. The tribal people reside in this area.
There is a range office at Amirthi headed by the forest ranger, Mr.A.B.Jayaseelan at present (2006). There is also a hill tribe society at Nimmiyambattu near Amirthi. The main aim is to provide employment opportunities to the hill tribals in that area.
[edit] Getting there
[edit] By plane
Nearest Airport at Chennai (140 Kms).
[edit] By train
The main railway station for Vellore is at Katpadi (6km north of Vellore). This is a junction on the broad-gauge Chennai-Bangalore line.
[edit] By road
Buses are available from Chennai (140km), Bangalore (230km). Situated on the Chennai - Bangalore Highway.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Vellore had a population of 177,413. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Vellore has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 68%. In Vellore, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
[edit] History
- Article on Vellore Revolt 1806 - Bi-Centenary Commemoration Committee
- Vellore Fort History by Indian Postal Dept.
- When the Vellore sepoys rebelled
- Frontline Article on History of Vellore
- Colonial British perspective on the Sepoy Mutiny at Vellore Fort
- Rulers of Arcot
- HISTORIC MONUMENTS IN VELLORE DISTRICT
*[1] VILLAGE RESOURCE CENTER - SATHYABAMA UNIVERSITY
 |
State of Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Topics | History | Politics | Tamil people |
|---|---|
| Capital | Chennai |
| Districts | Chennai • Coimbatore • Cuddalore • Dharmapuri • Dindigul • Erode • Kanchipuram • Kanyakumari • Karur • Krishnagiri • Madurai • Nagapattinam • Namakkal • Perambalur • Pudukkottai • Ramanathapuram • Salem • Sivaganga • Thanjavur • The Nilgiris • Theni • Thoothukudi • Tiruchirapalli • Tirunelveli • Tiruvallur • Tiruvannamalai • Tiruvarur • Vellore • Viluppuram • Virudhunagar |
| Major cities | Alandur • Avadi • Ambattur • Chennai • Coimbatore • Cuddalore • Dindigul • Erode • Kancheepuram • Karur • Kumbakonam • Madurai • Nagercoil • Neyveli • Pallavaram • Pudukkottai • Rajapalayam • Salem • Tiruchirapalli • Tirunelveli • Tambaram • Thoothukudi • Tiruppur • Tiruvannamalai • Thanjavur • Tiruvottiyur • Vellore |
