Vellore Fort

About Vellore Fort

The city of Vellore, situated 145 km from Chennai, is a very calm and subtle place. Vellore is located on the banks of River Palar and is considered a historical city. The name Vellore which means city of spears itself suggests that this city was a battle field and has witnessed many wars. This also means that Vellore has seen many rulers come and go. You will see the evidence in many structures and ruins that are constructed in different styles, although Dravidian civilization is the most prominent of all. Vellore is slowly and gradually picking up paces in its expansion as more and more commercial hubs are coming up. You will get the best infrastructure and accommodation that are there in Tamil Nadu most of which are pure value for money. Apart from the famous Vellore Fort which was considered to be the strongest fortress during the Carnatic War, the city is famous for the CMC Hospital that attracts patients and researchers from all over the world. It is one of the best in India without a doubt and the number of people coming to the hospital is so large that it makes this calm city seem quite lively.

Interesting places to Visit

Jalakanteshwara Temple

Jalakanteshwara Temple was built in the year 1550 A.D. The temple is a small architectural wonder of Vijayanagar. The temple is within the fort complex and the walls of the temple are full of carvings of Nandi and small gopuras. You will find amazing work in the corridors as well. The temple was considered a masterpiece at the time of its construction and now it has become a marvel on this land of Vellore.

Muthu Mandapam

Muthu Mandapam is also called the ‘Pearl Palace’. This is a memorial, which is built around the tombstone of the last Kandy Tamil ruler, Vikramraja Singh. It is situated just steps away from Vellore town towards north and is built on the bed of River Palar. The memorial is on a major alteration plan and is said that it will be added with a Children park, an aquarium and a lot more.

Government Museum

The Government Museum is situated besides the main bus stand in Lakshmanaswamy Town Hall. The museum is under the watch of Department of Museums. This might be the most unusual museum that you will ever see. It has in its collection, artifacts from many fields like anthropology, art, archeology, pre-history, botany, geology.

Nearest Visiting places

Vellamalai (20km)
The Vellamalai Temple is dedicated to Subrahmanya (Murugan in Tamil), the son of Lord Siva. The main temple is at the top of a hill and is carved from a giant stone. There is also a temple at the bottom of the hill. People tie cloth onto trees here to have their wishes fulfilled.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Darling Residency
Officer’s Line, Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632 001- 0416 2213001

Sri Chelliamman Guest House
Opp. Vellore Bus Stand, Katpadi Road, vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004- 09994086014

Hotel Surabhi International
Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Vellore North Police Station
SH 9, Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Vellore South Police Station
SH 9, Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Virthumpet Police Station
10th East Cross Road, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632006

Nearest Hospital:

CMC Schell Eye Hospital
SH 9, Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

CMC College
Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Mental Health Center- CMC
Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu- 0416 2284485

Men Interns’ Quarters
Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu‎ - 0416 228296

Kumaran Hospital
SH 9, Vellore, Tamil Nadu‎

Government Hospital
Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Aravind Naturopathy Hospital
15, 7th East Main Road, Gandhinagar, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632006‎

Lakshmi Hospital
SH 9, Katpadi, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

The Ellora caves, locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ is located on the Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road at a distance of 30 km north-northwest of Aurangabad, the district headquarters. The Ellora caves is one of the World Heritage Sites in India. The Elora caves are one of the wonders of the time and speak volumes about the excellent craftsmanship of the Ellora artists, sculptors and painters. The structures at Ellora caves are not creation of a particular period but were built over a long period of time from the 6th century AD to 10th century. The structures at Ellora comprise of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples and monasteries……more

Jaikwadi dam, also known as Nath Sagar is located near Paithan.It is about 50 km from Aurangabad, built on river Godavari and about 110 km from Ahmednagar. Its area is 1300 km². It supplies water to Aurangabad City and generates power.The power station is at the foot of dam and is generating 12 MW power with reversible type generator.The Jaikwadi Dam supplies water to Aurangabad City and generates ample hydroelectric power……more

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Location info

• **Address:**Vellore Fort Vellore

• District: Vellore

• Nearest City: Vellore

• Best time to visit: Throughout the Year

Climate & weather

With the tropic climate, Kanyakumari has April to June the hottest with temperature reaching out to maximum 350C. November to February is the coolest period with temperature hovering around 210C. Northeast Monsoon brings gentle sweep of rains between October and December.

History of Vellore Fort

The History of the district assumes a great significance and relevance, as we unfold the glorious past. It was under the sway of various dynasties and rulers, the prominent among them being the Pallavas , Cholas of Uraiyur, the Rashtrakutaa dynasty of Malkhed, Sambuvarayar, the rulers of Vijayanagarm, Mamathas, the Nawabs of the carnatic and the British. The Monuments found in the district give a vivid picture of the town through the ages. In the 18 th Century Vellore District was the scene of some of the decisive bettles fought in Ambur (1749) A.D Arcot (1751) A.D and Vandivasi (1760A.D) as a result of the long -drawn struggle between the English and the French for Supremacy.

How to reach Vellore Fort

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Katpadi station

• **Nearest Airport:**Bangalore (103)

• **Road Transport:**There are regular transport buses that come here from Chennai and Banglore apart from other main cities of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Best time to visit Vellore Fort

With the tropic climate, Kanyakumari has April to June the hottest with temperature reaching out to maximum 350C. November to February is the coolest period with temperature hovering around 210C. Northeast Monsoon brings gentle sweep of rains between October and December.

Timings & opening hours

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily; closed on Mondays

Entry fee & tickets

INR 25 for Indians, INR 300 for foreign nationals; additional INR 25 for camera

Duration needed

2-3 hours

Safety tips

Wear comfortable walking shoes; carry water; be cautious on steep steps and uneven surfaces; avoid climbing restricted areas

Things to carry

Comfortable walking shoes; sunscreen; hat; water bottle; camera; sunglasses

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Darling Residency
Officer’s Line, Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632 001- 0416 2213001

Sri Chelliamman Guest House
Opp. Vellore Bus Stand, Katpadi Road, vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004- 09994086014

Hotel Surabhi International
Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Madhya Pradesh. 4G is reliable in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and along national highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench national parks. Most hotels and resorts in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Forts in MP (Gwalior, Mandu, Orchha) have snack stalls and chai points near the entrance. Gwalior and Mandu have the best food options near their fort complexes. The nearest town offers traditional meals — dal bafla, poha, and kebabs.

Things to do at Vellore Fort

Explore the fort ramparts and bastions, visit the palace chambers and durbar halls, photograph the architecture, watch the sound and light show (if available), and enjoy panoramic views from the top.

Things to visit & highlights

Vellamalai (20km)
The Vellamalai Temple is dedicated to Subrahmanya (Murugan in Tamil), the son of Lord Siva. The main temple is at the top of a hill and is carved from a giant stone. There is also a temple at the bottom of the hill. People tie cloth onto trees here to have their wishes fulfilled.

Nearest petrol pump

Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum retail outlets are available in the nearest town or city. Major highways have fuel stations at regular intervals. It is advisable to fill fuel before entering remote areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks where fuel stations may be limited.

Frequently asked questions

What is the history of this fort? Most MP forts date back to the medieval period, built by Rajput or Maratha rulers between the 10th and 18th centuries.

How much time is needed to explore? Typically 2-3 hours for a thorough visit.

Is there a guide available? Local guides are available at the entrance; audio guides may also be available.

Are there food facilities inside? Basic refreshment stalls are usually available; full meals are available nearby.

Accessibility

Historic forts typically have uneven stone pathways, steep staircases, and no ramps. Forts are built on elevated ground — reaching them requires a climb on foot or by vehicle to the base followed by stairs. Visitors with mobility issues may find the outer grounds and lower levels more accessible than the upper ramparts. Wear sturdy footwear and allow extra time.

Rules & restrictions

Do not climb on unstable walls or beyond marked boundaries. Some bastion platforms are partially collapsed. Graffiti and defacement are illegal. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted inside most historic sites. Drones may require permission. Large bags may be checked at the entrance. Photography is permitted but tripods may need special permission. Respect heritage rules — these monuments are protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

Best photography spots

The ramparts offer the best panoramic views — arrive early morning or late afternoon for golden light across the landscape. The bastions and arched windows make excellent natural frames. Wide-angle lenses capture the scale of the fortifications; telephoto lenses isolate details of the stonework and distant views. Sunset silhouettes of the fort walls against the sky are iconic.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Madhyapradesh
• Category: Forts

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.