Information about Vellore

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Vellore Tamil Nadu • India

Vellore

Coordinates:

Area • Elevation| |  km ( sq mi) •  m ( ft)

District(s)| | Vellore

Mayor| style="border-top: 2px dotted #DCDCDC;" |

Coordinates: Vellore pronunciation (helpinfo) (Tamil: வேலூர்), is a town and a municipality in Vellore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

It is one of the historical places in southern India and is now the headquarters of Vellore district. The town lies on the banks of the 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.

History

The name Vellore is derived from the Tamil words : Vel (spear) + oore (city), means a city of spears. Ancient history shows that Vellore was basically a battle field, where the warriors used to fight. Due to the geography of the place, with high temperature and plain desert like sandy region, the place was always left with the used weapons like spears all around the year, and the fences made of the spears which are made for the animals like elephants and horses, to prevent them from running off during night times, so it is called as velaioore and in later called as velai managaram.. In another version, name vellore is supposed to have been derived from some form precious stone which had similar sounding name. There are megalithic, proto-historical evidences in and around vellore for such a semi-precious stone industry being prevalent in ancient times.

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. Vellore was once capital city of Vijayanagar empire during 1606-1672. 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. 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 The First Indian War of Independence.This part of history is not well known to the people but adds to the rich heritage of Vellore.

The monuments found in the district give a vivid picture of the town through the ages.

Geography

Vellore is located at .^[1] It has an average elevation of 216 metres (708 feet).

Vellore Fort

Main article: Vellore 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".

Vellore Central Prison

Prison

The Vellore Central Prison, set up in 1830 A.D. is another historically important land mark as some eminent personalities and freedom fighters like Rajaji, C.N.Annadurai, Kamaraj, the former presidents of India V. V. Giri, R. Venkataraman and other political leaders like Vaiko, had served their prison terms here.

Warders Training Centre

There is a Warders Training Centre at Vellore which conducts 6 months training for Grade II Warders. This Institute also imparts in-service training to Grade I & II Warders. This training centre imparts training in the handling of Modern Weapons, drill and management of Prisons with emphasis on Human Rights. The in-service includes training in Karate & Ninja, Commando, Un-armed combat, Bomb disposal, PSO Temporary Warders training centre at Trichy and Coimbatore started to the train the newly recruited warders.

There is a Regional Institute of Correctional Administration at Vellore for imparting training to officers. This institute is jointly managed by four Southern States viz. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka & Kerala. The object of this institute is to have trained officers in the correctional service who can be able to rehabilitate, re-socialize and reintegrate the offenders in the community effectively.

Education

Medicine

Medical Colleges:
1. Christian Medical College. Vellore - 4.
2. Vellore Government Medical College. Vellore - 11
3. Sri Narayani College of Nursing. Vellore - 55
4. St. John's College of Nursing. Vellore.


One of India's most prestigious teaching hospitals, the Christian Medical College & Hospital, is located in Vellore. Christian Medical College & Hospital, 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 Gastroentrology wards are really well equipped and highly modernized. 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.

The Schieffelin Leprosy Research and Training Centre (SLRTC) in Karigiri is world famous in its research area.

Engineering

The Vellore Institute of Technology is an internationally known and growing educational institution recently accredited by IEE. It has students from every single state in India and several more International students. Apart from educational excellence, it has been recognized for its cosmopolitan culture.

Thanthai Periyar Government Institute of Technology (TPGIT) is one of the Government Engineering Colleges in Vellore. And it is located at Baagaayam, Vellore

One fast growing Engineering College named Ganadipathy Tulsi's Engineering College is located in Kaniyambadi, a village outside Vellore and another named C. Abdul Hakeem College of Engineering located at Melvisharam near Arcot. A new college named Balaji Chokalingam Engg College has also been established recently in Aarani, a small town 35 kilometeres from Vellore.

NTTF Nettur technical training Foundationis a first ISO 9001 technical education center known internationally located in Kangeyanaluur-Katpadi. The education is based on design and manufacturing of Press tools & Plastic moulds need day to day life.

Police Recruit School

The Police Recruit School is located inside the Vellore Fort. A training school for recruit constables was opened in Vellore in April 1908. Police Recruit School in vellore is one of the two permanent Police Recruit Schools of the present day State of Tamil Nadu and other permanent one in Coimbatore. Inspector General of Police in his letter (with suggestions) to the Government dated 25th August, 1897 made the Government to form a combined training school at Vellore for police inspectors and station house officers, who were to undergo six months course. In the 1909, a police museum, which was functioning in office of Inspector General of Police since 1901 ,was shifted to the Police Training School at Vellore. The 1973-74 Batch of directly recruited Sub-Inspectors was the last batch to undergo training at Vellore.

Arts and Science

Thiruvalluvar University which was formed by the bifurcation of University of Madras is at present located in fort campus, which lays the guidelines to all the arts and science colleges in the four districts. Arts and Science colleges in districts of Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Cuddalore are affilaited to Thiruvalluvar University. Under the able guidance of Honourable Vice-Chancellor Prof. L. Kannan and the Registrar Prof. A. Veeramani the university is marching towards excellence. The university has projects funded by DBT, DST and MFPI etc. The University students have taken part in various national and international events.

The following are the Arts & Science Colleges in Vellore (alphabetical order)

1. Auxilium Women's College.
2. DKM Women's College.
3. Muthurangam Government Arts College.
4. Voorhees College.

Schools

Vellore has following schools (in alphabetical order and with syllabus in braces)

1. Auxilium Girls Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus)
2. Madras Matriculation Higher Secondary School(Matric syllabus)
3. Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus)
4. Bethel matriculation higher secondary school (Matric / Tamil nadu state board syllabus)
5. Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Katpadi (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
6. Government Higher Secondary School, Kaneyanallur (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
7. Government Muslim Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
8. Holy Cross Matriculation Higher Secondary School (Matric / Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
9. K. A. K. M (Mpl)Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
10. Ida Scudder School (ICSE/ISC syllabus).
11. Ramalingam Hr. Sec. School ( Tamil Nadu State Board Syllabus )
12. N.Krishnaswamy Mudaliar Higher Secondary school (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus)
13. Siddhartha Senior Secondary School (Matric/Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
14. Shrishti Marticulation Higher Secondary School (Matric / Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
15. Shrishti Vidyashram Senior Secondary School (CBSE syllabus).
16. Sri Venkateswara Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
17. St. Mary's Higher Secondary school (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
18. Sunbeam Matriculation School (Matric / Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus). web
19. Vani Vidhyalaya Matriculation School (Matric / Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
20. Voorhes Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
21. Williams Matriculation Higher Sec School (Matric / Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
22. DAV BHEL Higher Secondary School (CBSE Syllabus).

Tourism

State Government Museum

This Museum was opened to the public in 1985. It consists of objects of art, archaeology, pre-history, weapons, sculptures, bronzes, wood carvings, handicrafts, numismatics, philately, botany, geology and zoology. It treasures ancient and present day curios relating to Anthropology, Art and Archaeology, Botany, Geology, Numismatics, Pre-history, Zoology, etc. The historical monuments of the erstwhile composite North Arcot District are gracefully depicted in the Gallery. Special exhibits include Bronze double antenna sword from Vellore Taluk, dating back to 400 BC., Stone sculptures from Late Pallava to Vijayanagar periods, Ivory chess board and coins used by the last Kandian King of Sri Lanka, Vikrama Raja Singha. The educational activities of this Museum include Art camp for school students, Study of inscriptions and iconography for college students etc.

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.

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.

Amirthi Forest

Amirthi zoological park is situated under the Javadu Hills of Tellai across Amirthi river which is 25 km 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.

Getting there

By plane

Vellore has an idle airport. Other Nearest Airport is the Chennai International Airport (140 km).

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has embarked on an "idle airports activation programme" in the Southern region that includes Vellore. The Vellore airstrip, located on 51.5-acres, was activated recently to facilitate regular flying by trainee pilots of the Madras Flying Club. The proposed Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Aeronautical science will be shifted from Sriperumpudhur to Vellore.

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.

Two more stations Vellore Town and Vellore Cantonment station on Meter-gauge Katpadi - Vilupuram line (Now gauge conversion on progress) line. There is a proposal to introduce more direct trains to Vellore once the conversion process is completed.

By road

Buses are available from Chennai (120km), Bengaluru (210km). A new Bus Terminal has been established between the junction of Chennai - Bengaluru National Highway (NH49) and Chittor - Cuddalore State Highway (SH9) and the southern end of Polur Subramaniam Bridge.

Facilities / Entertainment

List of Cinema Halls in Vellore

The following list gives the Cinema halls in alphabetical order. There are defunt and non-operating theatres which are not included in this list.

Cinema Halls	Location	Features
Adlabs Alankar	Infantry Road, Near Cantonment Railway Station, Vellore - 1	70mm,A/C dts, Digital
Adlabs Lakshmi	Officer's Line, ( Opp HDFC Bank ), Vellore - 1	70mm,A/C,dts, Digital
Anna Kalai Arangam (State Government owned hall)	Officer's Line, Vellore - 1	Nil
Apsa	Katpadi, Vellore - 7	Nil
Apsara	Officer's Line, (Opp Voorhees College) Vellore - 1	dts , Digital
Balaji	Chittor Road, Balaji Nagar, Katpadi, Vellore - 7	dts, Digital
Blue	Vellore - 2	Nil
Crown	Saidapet, Vellore - 12	Nil
Jeyamurugan	Sankaranpalayam, Vellore - 2	dts , Digital
Kural	Bangalore Road, (Near railway crossing) , Konavattam , Vellore - 8	dts, Digital (Qube Digital Projection)
Latchumi	Katpadi, Vellore - 7	Nil
National	Old Bye pass Road, Vellore - 4	Nil
Ragavendhra	Bangalore Road, Konavattam, Vellore - 8	dts, Digital (Qube Digital Projection)
Raja	Officer's Line, Vellore - 1	Nil
Silambu	Bangalore Road, (Near railway crossing) , Konavattam , Vellore - 8	dts, Digital (Qube Digital Projection) Partly A/C 70mm
Sri Murugan	Sathuvachari, Vellore - 9	Nil
Srinivasa	Sathuvachari, Vellore - 9	Nil
Thirumalai	Vellore - 2	dts, Digital
Vishnu	Old Paalaar Bridge Road, (near Katpadi Road), Viruthampet, Vellore - 6	dts , Digital A/C
Venus	Post Office Street, (near Officer's Line ), Vellore - 1	dts , A/C , Digital (Qube Digital Projection)

List of Mobile networks in Vellore (Tamil Nadu Circle)

Network Name	Type
Aircel	GSM
BPL mobile	GSM
Airtel	GSM
Vodafone	GSM
BSNL	GSM
Reliance	CDMA
Tata Indicom	CDMA

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] 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.

The Special grade municipality is hoping for Corporation soar soon. The official City tag will boost and speed up its growth. The ideal city limit would be,

North : Christianpet
South : Adukkamparai
East : Pillaiyar kuppam
West : Abdullapuram

References

External links

• Official Government Site
• Official Site of Christian Medical College, Vellore - India's 2nd Best Medical College
• Thiruvalluvar University
• Chennai museum
• Vellore Schools, Colleges & Universities

History / Reference

• Article on Vellore Revolt 1806 - Bi-Centenary Commemoration Committee
• Vellore — the town with the "healing touch"
• 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
• Sambuvarayar period stone inscription found
• Neolithic tools discovered
• POLICE TRAINING COLLEGE
• Tamil Nadu Prison Department

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