Vellore

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Vellore v • d • e Tamil Nadu • India
Vellore
District(s)	Vellore
Coordinates	12.93° N 79.13° E
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	4,314.29 km² (1,666 mi²) • 216 m (709 ft)
Population • Density	177,413 (2001) • 701/km²
Mayor
Codes • Postal • Telephone • Vehicle	• 632 001 • +91-(0)416 • TN 23

Coordinates: 12.93° N 79.13° E

Vellore pronunciation (help·info) (Tamil: வேலூர்), is a city and a municipality in Vellore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

It is a historical city in southernmost India, 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.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Vellore Fort 4 Prison 5 Education 5.1 Medicine 5.2 Engineering 5.3 Arts and Science 5.4 Schools 6 Tourism 6.1 Kavalur Observatory 6.2 Yelagiri 6.3 Amirthi Forest 7 Getting there 7.1 By plane 7.2 By train 7.3 By road 8 Demographics 9 References 10 External links 10.1 History / Reference

[edit] 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.^{[citation needed]}

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. 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.

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 12.93° N 79.13° E^[1]. It has an average elevation of 216 metres (708 feet).

[edit] 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".

[edit] 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.

[edit] Education

[edit] Medicine

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.

[edit] 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 another Government Engineering College in Vellore.

One 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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. Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus)
3. Government Muslim Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
4. Holy cross matric higher Secondary School (Matric/Higher sec).
5. Ida Scudder School (ICSE/ISC syllabus).
6. N.Krishnaswamy Mudaliar Higher Secondary school (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
7. Kodai idi Kuppusamy Mudaliar Higher Secondary school, Saidapet (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
8. Siddhartha Senior Secondary School (Matric/Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
9. Shrishti Marticulation Higher Secondary School (Matric/Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
10. Shrishti Vidyashram Senior Secondary School (CBSE syllabus).
11. Sri Venkateswara Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
12. Sunbeam Matriculation School (Matric/Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
13. Vani Vidhyalaya Matriculation school (Matric/Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
14. Voorhes Higher Secondary School (Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).
15. Williams Matriculation Higher Sec School (Matric/Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus).

[edit] Tourism

[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

Vellore has an idle airport. Other Nearest Airport at Chennai (140 Kms).

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

[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.

Also, Vellore Town and Vellore Cantonment station on Meter Gauge (Now conversion on progress), Kaptadi - Villupuram line. There is a proposal to introduce more direct trains to vellore, Vellore to Chennai EMU's are among them.

[edit] By road

Buses are available from Chennai (140km), Bangalore (230km). a new Bus Terminal has been established on the Chennai - Bangalore Highway.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^GRIndia, 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. This will be Eighth corporation after Chennai, Madurai, coimbatore, Trichy, Salem, Tirunelveli and Tiruppur of Tamilnadu.

[edit] References

1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Vellore

[edit] External links

• Official Government Site
• Official Site of Christian Medical College, Vellore - India's 2nd Best Medical College

[edit] 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

*[1] VILLAGE RESOURCE CENTER  - SATHYABAMA UNIVERSITY 

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