Vellore
Vellore town is the head quarter of the Vellore district. Vellore district is one of historical places of southern India. Now it is counted as one of the fastest growing district of Tamil Nadu. The name Vellore is derived from the
Tamil words, Vel (Spear) + oore (city), means `City of Spears`.
History
The ancient history as `City of spears` shows the district Vellore as a battlefield, where warriors used to fight. People also say, another version of naming Vellore is supposed to have been derived from some precious stone, which had similar sounding name.
Vellore has a blend of rich heritage and culture representing the ancient Dravidian civilization. Before Dravidian, the Pallavas, Cholas, Nayakas and Marathas were the rulers of Vellore. Vellore was once capital of Vijayanagar Empire during the year 1606-1672. During 17th century Vellore was described as the best and strongest fortress in the Carnatic war. The Vellore Mutiny of 1806 was one of the earliest upsurges against the British rule in India.
Geography
Vellore district lies between 12° 15` to 13° 15`North latitudes and 78° 20` to 79° 20`East longitudes in Tamil Nadu. The geographical area of this district is 6077 sq.kms. Vellore district in north bounded by Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, on the south by Tiruvannamalai district. On the west Dharampur district, while Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur district are in its eastern boundary.
Palar and Ponnar rivers are the prime rivers flow through the Vellore district. The district`s climate is always tropical through out the year. Annual rainfall of the district is 9222.4 mm. During summer maximum temperature is 39.8°C and minimum is 29.4°C, during winter the maximum temperature is 27.3°C and minimum is 17.9°C.
Economy
Vellore district also known for its leather based industries. Vellore leather accounts for more than 37% of the country`s Export of Leather and Leather related products such as finished leathers, shoes, garments, gloves and so on. The Govt. of Tamil Nadu provides all possible capital subsidies and infrastructural support to the district. There are also several other industries such as Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd Ranipet, Tamil Nadu Explosives Ltd, Katpadi. There has been marked growth of small-scale industries and Tanneries in the district. The innovative self-help groups of women are also playing a very useful role in building rural economy and helping rural women to be self-reliant.
Government and Politics
A collector, who is belonging to an officer of Indian Administrative Service, is the head of the Vellore District. He is assisted by other governmental officers.
The Superintendent of police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service, is responsible for maintaining law and order and related issues in the district.
Transport
Chennai is the nearest airport to Vellore.
By Rail
Vellore city is well connected to a number of cities by an efficient system of railways. Vellore`s main railway station is at Katpadi.
By Road
Vellore is well connected with various bus roots with its neighbour states. Buses are available from Chennai and Bangaluru.
Divisions
The Vellore district has 8 talukas, 20 Blocks, 14 Municipalities, 753 Panchayat villages, 22 special villages, 883 census villages and 13 census towns.
Demographics
As per 2001 census, Vellore had a population of 177,413. Males constitute 50% and females 50% of the total population and 11% of the population is under six year of age. Vellore`s average literacy rate is 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 80% and female literacy is 68%.
Culture
The common languages used in Vellore are Tamil, Telugu and English. Among all festivals, Pongal
is the most important one; it is celebrated in Vellore to mark the harvesting of crops. It is also observed as Tamilian New Year. Mattu Pongall is celebrated next day of Pongal. It is the day of animals specially bulls.
Like other parts of India, in Vellore also Deepavali, Navratri and Saraswati puja are celebrated.
Visiting Places of Vellore
Vellore FortVellore Fort- The fort was built in 16th century by a Vijayanagar chieftain. It is the finest example of Military Architecture.
State Government Museum- The Museum was opened to public in the year1985. 
it consists of objects of art, archaeology, Pre-history, weapons, sculpture, bronzes, wood craving, handicrafts, numismatics, philately, botany ,geology and zoology.
Kavalur observatory is located in Kavalur in the Javadu Hills in Alanagayam.
Yelagiri- It is called the princes of hill station, it is the most unpolluted hilly area of Tamil Nadu.
Jalakanteswara Temple- it was built in the year 1550 A.D. The temple is a small architectural wonder of Vijayanagar.
Kalyanamadapam
Elagiri Lake
Palar Anaicut Dam
Tippu Mahal Arcot
India gate Arcot.
Mordhana Dam-it is a picnic spot, where the dam is constructed between two hills.
Jalagamparai-This place is famous for its waterfall.
St. Johns church
King George V and Queen Marry clock tower
Tippu Sultan Family graveyard
Madarasaye Mohammediya Masjid
Muthu MandapamMuthu Mandapam- this madapam is also called Pearl Place. This is a memorial, which is built around the tombstone of the last Tamil ruler Vikramaraja Singh. It is built on the bed of the river Palar.
Vennamalai- This temple is named after Valli, second wife of lord Murugan and it is dedicated to Lord Murugan.
Ramanashramam- the small ashram of Shri Ramanna Maharshi.
Thiruvallam- it is famous for the ancient temple that is dedicated to Sri Vallanadeheeswarar. The unique feature of this shirne is that the Nandi doesn`t face lord shiva.
Flora and Fauna
Amirthi zoological parkAmirthi zoological park is situated under the Javadu Hills of Tellai across Amirthi river, which is 25 kilometer away from Vellore. The area is covering the 25 hector with beautiful waterfalls. The forest is rich with different species of flora and fauna. A substantial part of this jungle has been cleared to serve as tourist resort where as the rest of the jungle has been declared as wild life sanctuary.
Education
Vellore is emphasizing on education very much. For which in this district there are several famous colleges of different courses such as
Medical
Christian medical college
Vellore`s Government Medical College.
The Schiefflin Leprosy Research and Training Center in Karigiri is world famous in its research area.
Engineering
Vellore Institute of Technology is an internationally known and growing institution.
Thanthai Periyar Government Institute of Technology is one of the government Engineering College located at Baagaayam, Vellore.
Ganadipathy Tulsi`s Engineerinmg College is located at Kaniyambadi , outside of vellore
C.Abdul Hakeem College of Engineering located at Arcot, Vellore.
Police Recruitment Schools
A training school for recruiting constables was open in Vellore in April 1908.
Art and Science College
Auxillium Women`s College.
DKM Women`s College.
Muthurangam Government Art College
Voorhees College.
All these colleges are coming under Thiruvaluvar University, which was formed by the bifurcation of University of Madras.
Among various schools the important schools are-
Auxilium Girls Higher secondary School.
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School.
Government muslim Higher secondary school.
K.A.K.M Higher Secondary School.
Ida Scudder School. Etc.
