Government museum of Vellore is actually a museum cum archive. The Government of Tamilnadu maintains this museum that treasures ancient and present day curios relating to Anthropology, Geology and Numismatics. Historical monuments of the erstwhile Arcot district have been depicted through some beautiful frescos.
Jalagandeeswarar Temple
Jalagandeeswarar Temple is situated inside the Vellore Fort only. The temple is renowned for its sculptures and speaks volumes of the exquisite craftsmanship of that period. Many consider the sculpture, in the porch on the left of the entrance, a masterpiece. The temple encloses a big wedding hall that is adorned with elegant relief and monolithic sculptures. The temple was earlier used as an arsenal.
Muthu Mandapam
Muthu Mandapam is nothing but a rock memorial. This has been constructed around the tombstone of Vikramraja Singh who was the last Tamil ruler of Kandy, in the present Sri Lanka. The memorial is just a kilometer off the town near the banks of river Palar.
Vellore Fort
Vellore Fort was built in the 13th century. The fort was the most formidable one during the Carnatic war of 17th century and it was said that it was infallible. This historically famous fort retains the past glory and is still enact along with its ramparts, basements, turrets, posts, and gates. The outer wall of this fort is built of granite blocks where as it is fortified with another wall as well. The fort was the site for the Sepoy mutiny of 1806 that is seen by some as the prelude to the Pan-Indian one that broke out in the year 1857.
Virinjipuram
Virinjipuram is a marvelous temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Temple is located on the bank of the River Palar. The temple is famous for the rock-carved figures that can be seen in dramatic settings representing scenes in the social life of the people. These figures can be predominantly found on pillars and basement. The inscriptions on the rocks are in both Grantham as well as Tamil.
Padavedu
Pandavedu is a desolate village that is very close to the city of Vellore. The place has got prominence because of the two important ancient temples that are situated there. The first one is dedicated to Sri Ramachandraswamy and the other to Goddess Renukambal Amman.
Amirthi Forest
Amirthi Forest lies to the southeast of Vellore. The forest is rich with different species of Flora and Fauna. A substantial part of this jungle has been cleared to serve as a tourist resort where as the rest of the forest has been declared a wildlife sanctuary. A trek for a kilometer leads one to a panoramic view of a seasonal waterfall.
Thiruvallam
Thiruvallam is located on the banks of the Nuga River that is a major tributary of Palar River. Thiruvallam is famous for the ancient temple that is dedicated to Sri Vallanadeheeswarar. A unique feature of this shrine is that the Nandi does not face Lord Shiva but otherwise.
Vallimalai
Vallimalai Temple is situated on the top of a hillock that can be ascended by a flight of 300 steps. The principle deity at Vallimalai is Lord Subramanya. The temple is considered to be 1500 years old and is believed as the sight of marriage for Valli and Murugan.
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