Places to Visit near Vellore

The Sripuram Golden Temple is a sight to behold, and it is situated in Tirumalaikodi at Southern Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The golden temple sits inside a spiritual park or ‘Spiritual Oasis’, and a star path leads the visitors towards it. The main feature of the temple has to be that it is covered in real gold foil and it is regarded as the biggest and the only temple to do that. The inauguration took place on 24th August 2007, and it was inaugurated by Narayani Amma.

Yelagiri's most popular hill and one of the most breath taking as well, the Swami Malai Hill is the highest point of the hill station. A 3 km trek from the Punganoor lake will take you to the hill top. A small area of the hilltop has the most dazzling view of the entire Valley. Trekking upto Swami Malai has gained a lot of popularity in the recent past.
 

Distance from Vellore: 95 km

Virinjipuram Temple, which is popularly known as Sri Margabandeeswarar Temple, is located about 14 kilometres away from Vellore City, in Virinjipuram Village. Situated in the state of Tamil Nadu on the southern bank of Palar River, the temple owes the beautiful artistic stonework on its walls and its palatial Dravidian architecture to the rulers of Chola Dynasty.

Distance from Vellore: 12 km

The Punganoor Lake is one of the most popular artificial lakes in Tamil nadu. The man made lake covers nearly 60 sq. meters of land. There is also a fountain in the middle and boating facilities are available.

Distance from Vellore: 91 km

Situated under the Javadu Hills in Amirthi near Vellore in Tamil Nadu, Amirthi Zoological Park is a massive zoological park that is also one of the top tourist attractions in the region. Sprawling over 25 hectares, the highlight of the zoological park is its several mesmerizing waterfalls. Besides, half of the park has been developed into a zoological spot for the tourists while the other half of it has been developed into a wildlife sanctuary.

Distance from Vellore: 124 km

Known For : Paradise Beach, Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram Auroville

Pondicherry, officially known as Puducherry, and commonly referred to as just Pondy, is one of the seven Union Territories of India. This former French colony is a perfect amalgamation of the traditional Indian sensibilities and French architecture, making it a dreamy escape that offers the best of both worlds.

Distance from Vellore: 157 km

Best Time: October to March

48 Pondicherry Attractions

Known For : Sri Venkateswara Temple Akasaganga Teertham Silathoranam

Situated in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is known for Venkateshwara Temple,  one of the most popular pilgrimage centres in the country. Known as Balaji and Govinda, Tirupati is one of the oldest cities of India and finds mention in plenty of ancient Vedas and Puranas. Tirumala is the home to seven peaks of Tirumala Hills. The non-stop chanting of ‘Om Namo Venkatesaya’, the mad pilgrim rush and the 8-feet tall idol of Lord Venkateshwara – everything about the Sri Venkateshwara Temple is majestic. 

Distance from Vellore: 108 km

Best Time: September to March

40 Tirupati Attractions

Known For : Sri Venkateshwara National Park Srikalahasti Temple Nagalapuram

Steeped in religion, devotion and architecture, Chittoor is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Also blessed with scenic beauty, cascading waterfalls and a beautiful hill station, Chittoor is not a disappointment to the traveller who seeks redemption from the busy metro life. Also known as the Mango City, Chittoor offers myriad varieties of heavenly mangoes to please its visitors.
 

Distance from Vellore: 36 km

Best Time: September to February

11 Chittoor Attractions

Known For : Marina Beach Government Museum, Chennai MGR Film City

Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu, in the southern part of India. Located on the Coromandel coast of Bay of Bengal, Chennai is as dynamic as it is immersed in tradition. This 'capital of the south', is one among the four metropolitan siblings of India, having a rich cultural history which it perfectly balances with its metropolis lifestyle. Amid its chaos of traffic and sweltering humid climate, Chennai is worth visiting for its temples steeped in south-Indian culture, British-era museums and monuments, culinary delights and Marina Beach (Second largest urban beach in the world).

Distance from Vellore: 136 km

Best Time: October to March

91 Chennai Attractions

Known For : Kamakshi Amman Temple Varadharaja Perumal Temple Devarajaswami Temple

Widely known for its beautiful ‘'Kanchipuram sarees' and also referred to as the 'golden city of a thousand temples', Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu is a popular tourist attraction. Kanchipuram or Kanchi attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world who are interested in Hinduism or just want to enjoy the marvel of South Indian architecture and grandeur. It is particularly known for being a culture and philosophical hub. With such an association being made with the city, it is only natural that this destination has become such an influential centre in these avant-garde times. 

Distance from Vellore: 71 km

Best Time: October to May

16 Kanchipuram Attractions

Known For : Srikalahasteeswara Temple Veyilingala Kona Waterfall Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

Located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, the holy city of Srikalahasti is a popular tourist destination due to its famous Srikalahasti Temple, one of the most important Shiva temples of South India built during the ancient Pallava period. Overflowing with rich and vivacious yesteryears, this place has showcased its potential to allure the visitors with its extravagant shrines and pristine beauty.

Distance from Vellore: 144 km

Best Time: July to March

9 Srikalahasti Attractions

Known For : Gingee Fort Sathanur Dam Annamalaiyar Temple

A town that offers a significant history adorned in its countless temples and ashrams, Thiruvannamalai is where Hindu Mythology takes the form of stunning architecture. Perched on top of the Malai hill, Thiruvannamalai is a holy town, most famous for its Arunachala temple among numerous other temples and ashrams dedicated to saints of olden times. Sri Ramana Ashram, Sathanur Dam, Sri Seshadri Swamigal Ashram are some of the important tourist spots as well as significant areas for followers.

Distance from Vellore: 84 km

Best Time: October to March

9 Thiruvannamalai Attractions

Known For : Shore Temple Mahabalipuram Beach Five Rathas

Famous for its intricately carved temples and rock-cut caves, Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram as it is famously known, is a historically important and well-loved tourist location situated on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal, in the state of Tamil Nadu. Once the abode of the famous demon king Mahabali, Mahabalipuram was later renamed Mamallapuram. The serenity, the alluring atmosphere and the impressive setting with many beautiful white sandy beaches dotted with casuarina trees are all reasons as to why one would want to visit this wonderful town.

Distance from Vellore: 142 km

Best Time: November to February

23 Mahabalipuram Attractions

Lying on the boundary of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Lake is the second largest lagoon in the country. This fantastic destination is a natural beauty and also serves as a habitat for birds under the name of Pulicat Bird Sanctuary. The lake is separated by the Bay of Bengal by the barrier island of Sriharikota, which is also a rocket launching centre of India. Situated in the midst of scintillating virgin charms and cutting edge technological hotspot, the Pulicat Lake has something for everyone.

Distance from Vellore: 226 km

Palamathi Hills also known as Balamathi Hills is an area belonging to the Eastern Ghats, which come under the location of Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Palamathi Hills consisting of the Otteri Lake and Palamathi Reserve Forest is a vantage point of the most breathtaking views in the region, isolated from pollution and the hustle-bustle of the main city area. The best time to visit Palamathi Hills is during the period of October to March for an experience accompanied by pleasant weather.

Distance from Vellore: 11 km