The vellore

Vellore, now pulsating with activity as a commercial, administrative and medical centre, had the privilege of being the seat of the Pallava, Chola, Nayak, Maratha, Arcot Nawabs and Bijapur Sultan Kingdoms.

It grew into a bustling town gradually since 6th century changing the rules and growing in importance. It has an ancient fort and a well-preserved temple. The fort constructed around the seventeeth century is one of the exquisite speciments of military architecture in South India. It was described as the strongest fortress in the Carnatic in the 17th century and witnessed ghastly massacre of European soldiers during the mutiny of 1806. The temple inside the fort is said to contain sculptures that surpass many others in splendor.

Vellore is renowned for its Christian Medical College and Hospital that attract patients and research scholars from all corners of the world. North Arcot District abounds in historic monuments from the Old Stone Age to the present day. They are mute specimens of the culture, religion and architecture of the past rulers. They are protected and preserved by the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. Some of the monuments worth visiting include the Siva Temple at Virinchipuram, Jain sculptures and inscriptions at Vallimalai, monolithic rock-cut temple at Mahendravadi, etc.