The Jawadhu Hills or Javadhu Hills, alternatively known as Jawadhi or Jawadhu Hills, represent an extension of the Eastern Ghats, encompassing portions of both Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts in the northern region of Tamil Nadu, located in southeastern India. These hills form a natural boundary between Vellore district in the northwest and Tiruvannamalai district in the southeast.

Spanning approximately 50 miles (80 km) in width and 20 miles (32 km) in length, they are intersected by the Cheyyar and Agaram rivers, both of which are tributaries of the Palar River. Comprised of bluish gray granite, the peaks in this range typically reach heights of 3,600 to 3,800 feet (1,100 to 1,150 m).

Flora of Javvadu Hills:

The region is primarily covered by deciduous forests. These forests are teeming with diverse tree species, including Sal (Shorea robusta), Teak (Tectona grandis), Terminalia, and many others. Apart from the forests, the Javadi Hills feature expansive grasslands that support a range of grass species and wildflowers.

At higher elevations, shola forests can be found. These unique, stunted forests are an important part of the Western Ghats’ ecosystem and are home to various endemic species. The Javadi Hills are known for their unique and endemic plant species. Orchids, ferns, and rare herbs can be found in the shola forests, contributing to the region’s biodiversity.

Fauna of Javvadu Hills:

The hills are inhabited by a range of mammals, including predators like leopards and Indian foxes, herbivores like spotted deer and Indian bison (gaur), as well as smaller mammals like Indian pangolins and jungle cats.

Birdwatchers will be delighted by the avian diversity of the region. You can spot species like Indian paradise flycatchers, hornbills, Indian grey hornbill, and various raptors, making the Javadi Hills a birdwatcher’s paradise. The streams and water bodies in the region support a variety of amphibians, including frogs and toads.

Trekking Trails:

• Kolakarai Trek: One of the popular trekking routes in the Javadi Hills is the Kolakarai Trek. This trek takes you through the dense forests, offering a chance to witness the region’s diverse flora and fauna. The trail can be challenging in places but rewards you with stunning views.
• Jamunamarathur Trek: Another notable trek is the Jamunamarathur Trek. This trek takes you through the grasslands and forests of the Javadi Hills. The route offers opportunities for birdwatching, and you might spot wildlife along the way.
• Beemanmadavu Waterfalls Trek: If you’re interested in combining trekking with the beauty of waterfalls, the Beemanmadavu Waterfalls Trek is an excellent choice. This trek leads you to the Beemanmadavu Waterfalls, where you can cool off and enjoy the serene surroundings.

Kavalur Observatory:

The Vainu Bappu Observatory, commonly known as the Kavalur Observatory, is an astronomical observatory located near Kavalur village in the Javadi Hills of Tamil Nadu, India. This observatory is one of India’s prominent astronomical research facilities and is known for its contributions to various areas of astronomy and astrophysics.

How to reach Javvadu Hills:

By Air: The nearest major airport to the Javadi Hills is Chennai International Airport, which is well-connected to major cities in India and some international destinations.

By Rail: The closest railway station is POLUR, located approximately 40 kilometers between Tiruvannamalai and Vellore.

By Road: The nearest bus stop is POLUR, which is approximately 40 kilometers away from Tiruvannamalai. To reach the Javadi Hills from POLUR, it’s another 40 kilometers by road.

State Government Museum – Vellore

Government Museum is located inside the premises of the Vellore Fort. The Museum was established in the year 1985 as the 6​th​ Museum in the district in order to spread knowledge about the erstwhile North Arcot District (present Vellore and Thiruvannalamai).

Its Significance

The district of Vellore has a wide historical and cultural significance. It has come under the reigns of different rulers – Pallavas, Cholas, Sambuvarayas and Vijayanagaras. The city has played a vital role in the history of Tamil Nadu and has served as the capital city during the last phase of Vijayanagar Empire.

Vellore Fort has stood the testimony of time with its ownership being passed at different points of time. The successors of Tipu Sultan and subsequently the last king of Sri Lanka Sri Vikrama Rajasinha were kept as captives inside the fortress.

Government Museum highlights these historical events and has a wide range of artifacts of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Botany and Zoological importance.

The Museum and its Galleries

A visit to the Museum takes you through a galore of knowledge of History, Art, Culture and Heritage of Vellore District. The Museum welcomes its visitors with a 16 feet high life size fiberglass model of Tyrannosaurus. Two 18​th​ century cannons unearthed from Vellore Fort are kept at the entry. The Museum has eight different galleries that attract tourists.

• ​Introductory Gallery about the District​​ – The Gallery displays photographs of monuments, prominent tourist places and geographical maps of Vellore and Thiruvannamalai.
• ​​Stone Sculptures Gallery​​ – Stone sculptures during the reign of different kingdoms like Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagar dynasties are displayed in the gallery.
• ​​Prehistoric and Philately Gallery​​ – Some of the prehistoric artifacts displayed in the gallery include stone tools, hand axes, burial urns and potteries of different kinds. Philately gallery has some rare displays of stamps of different countries.
• ​​Art Gallery​​ – Paintings that include oil colour, water colour and acrylic paintings of different artists are displayed in the gallery.
• ​​Natural Science Gallery​​ – The displays in this gallery include specimens of zoological importance, aquatic birds, marine organisms, medicinal plants, rocks, minerals and fossils.
• ​​Bronze Gallery​​ – This gallery has some of the unique and artistic bronze collections. Amballur Jain bronzes, collections from Vellore and Thiruvannamalai Districts and antiquities of the last ruler of Lanka Sri Vikrama Rajasinha are truly noteworthy.
• ​​Numismatic Gallery​​ – The gallery has some of the most interesting coins displayed.
• ​​Anthropology Gallery​​ – It depicts the life styles of tribal people through the many objects and ornaments that are placed here.

Vellore Museum’s Opening Time

The Museum is open on all days from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

How to reach Vellore Museum

Government Museum is located in the Vellore Fort. Vellore Fort is located at a distance of 138 kilometres from Chennai. Katpadi Junction in Vellore (around 7.5 kilometres north of the fort) is the nearest railway station.

Vellore is well connected by road and rail with all the major cities in South India. The nearest international airport is at Chennai, 128 kilometres east of Vellore.

Vellore Ratnagiri Balamurugan Temple

Listed as one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Murugan, is the Ratnagiri Balamurugan Temple in Thirumanikundram, Vellore.

The chief deity of the temple Lord Murugan has self-manifested in two forms- one with his consorts Valli and Deva Sena (Lord Thirukolam) and the other in the form of the Guru (Lord Gurukolam). The temple was built in the 14​th​ century. Balamurugan Adimaigal developed this hilltop temple.

The temple tower or Gopuram is five-storeyed and was built in the year 1975. Separate shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shani and Navagraha are also found in the temple.

Aadi Kritika (July-August) and Thai Krithika (January-February) are the important festivals observed in the temple.

The temple is open on all days from ​6:00 AM to 1:00 PM ​and from​ 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM​. Temple timings are subject to changes on special days.

One can avail direct bus from Vellore to Ratnagiri Temple. The nearest railway station is at Vellore at a distance of 15 kilometers from the temple and the nearest airport is at Chennai (115 kilometers away).

Located inside the Vellore Fort is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, by name Jalakandeswarar Temple. The temple belongs to the Vijayanagar period. It is owned and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) while the administration was taken over by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Image Attribution : Soham Banarjee

History of Jalakandeswarar Temple

As per the legend associated with the temple, there once was a giant ant-hill at the place where the temple stands now. The ant-hill is said to have been surrounded by stagnant water. Chinni Bommi Nayaka, a Vijayanagar chieftain and the then controller of the fort had a dream where Lord Shiva asked him to build a temple at that location. He, therefore, demolished the ant-hill and built a temple in 1550 AD. The temple was named Jalakandeswarar referring to Lord Shiva who resides in water. The temple also has the shrine of Sri Akhilandeshwari Amman, consort of Lord Jalakandeswarar.

The temple was mutilated during the capture of the Fort and Muslim invasion, following which, worship in the temple was stopped and it was used as an arsenal for nearly 400 years. The main deity was later moved to Jalakanda Vinayakar Temple for its safety.

The ASI took charge over the maintenance of the fort in the year 1921, after which the temple was still not used for worship. However, in the year 1981, the deity was removed from the Jalakanda Vinayakar Temple and secretly smuggled inside the fort. The deity was the cautiously re-installed and worship was re-instated.

The Temple Architecture

The temple is a supreme example of Vijayanagar architecture. The architectural marvels of the temple can be traced in the exquisitely carved temple tower and the stone pillars, impressive monoliths and sculptures and a Mandapam with beautifully carved stone pillars. The temple is surrounded by water.

Lord Jalakandeswarar in Lingam form is the chief deity. Nandi statue is seen in front of the main sanctum. The outer wall of the Amman sanctum houses the shrines of Lord Vinayaka, Goddesses Maheswari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Lakshmi and Saraswathi.

Jalakandeswarar Temple Timings

The temple is open on all days from 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

Jalakandeswarar Temple Festivals

The following festivals are celebrated in the temple: ​Chitra Pournami – 10 day festival (April-May). ​Surasamharam – in the month of Aipasi (October-November). ​Aadi Pooram – 10-day festival (July-August). ​Vinayaka Chathurthi – in the month of Avani (August-September). ​Navarathri​ ​– in the month of Purattasi (September-October)

How to reach Jalakandeswarar Temple

Jalakandeswarar Temple is located inside the Vellore Fort. Vellore Fort is located at a distance of 138 kilometres from Chennai. Katpadi Junction in Vellore (around 7.5 kilometres north of the fort) is the nearest railway station.

Vellore is well connected by road and rail with all the major cities in South India. The nearest international airport is at Chennai, 128 kilometres east of Vellore.

Situated in the heart of Vellore city is one of the most invincible forts in Tamil Nadu, the Vellore Fort. The fort was built by the rulers of erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire and was at once the seat of the Aravidu Dynasty of the Empire.

The fort is best known for its military architecture, grand ramparts and it’s deep and wide moat. The fort is spread over an area of 133 acres and is surrounded by a moat that was once home to about 10,000 crocodiles.

The fort is now maintained by the Archaeological Department of India (ASI) and is opened up to tourists.

Image Attribution : Rajaraman Sundaram

Interesting Facts about the Vellore Fort

• • During the British Empire, Tipu Sultan and his family as well as the last Lord of Sri Lanka, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, were kept as captives inside the fortress. The tombs of Padshah Begum (Tipu Sultan’s wife), Tipu’s sons, Bakshi Begum (wife of Tipu’s son Hyder Ali) and of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha can be found inside the fort.
  • The fort was constructed out of granite brought in from the nearby districts of Arcot and Chittoor.
  • The fortress being ruled under dynasties of varying religions and faith, depicts a blend of all cultures. It houses the Jalakandeswarar Temple, the St. John’s Church and a Muslim Mosque.
  • Vellore Fort has stood the testimony of time with its ownership being passed at different points of time, shown as below:
    1. Vijayanagar Empire – built around the middle of 16th century, ruled until mid 17th century
    2. Bijapur Sultans – ruled the kingdom between 1656-1678
    3. Marathas – ruled the kingdom between 1678-1707
    4. Mughals – ruled the kingdom between 1707-1760 before it went into British hands
  • The fort also houses the Government Museum depicting historical monuments of erstwhile composite North Arcot District (present Vellore and Tiruvannamalai) and displaying objects that covers various subjects.
  • The Vellore Christian Hospital along with many other important public offices is located inside the premises of the fort.

How to reach Vellore Fort

Vellore Fort is located at a distance of 138 kilometres from Chennai. Katpadi Junction in Vellore (around 7.5 kilometres north of the fort) is the nearest railway station. Vellore is well connected by road and rail with all the major cities in South India. The nearest international airport is at Chennai, 128 kilometres east of Vellore.

Sripuram Golden Temple or Vellore Golden Temple

Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple

Golden Temple is located inside the Sripuram spiritual park. The temple is situated at the foot of a small range of hills at Malaikodi village, about 8 kilometres from Vellore.

The temple has been constructed by the Vellore-based charitable trust, Sri Narayana Peedam, headed by its spiritual leader Sri Sakthi Amma who is also known as Narayani Amma. The chief deity at the temple is Sri Lakshmi Narayani, the consort of Lord Vishnu and goddess of wealth.

Image Attribute : Dsudhakar555

The Temple Design

Complex – The temple finds its place on an area of 100 acres of land and is beautifully adorned with 1,500 kg of pure gold. The complex has been intricately designed by specialized artisans and the temple art has significance from the Vedas. The temple houses man-made sculptures and ornately decorated pillars and roof.

Star path – The temple is situated in the middle of a star-shaped path extending over 1.8 kilometres. Various spiritual messages are displayed for devotees to read as they walk along the ‘star path’ to reach the temple.

Landscape – The landscape at Sripuram, created and managed using organic manure, provides a serene ambience and beautiful experience.

Sahasra Deepam – Located on the eastern side of the star path & the temple entrance is the Deepa Mandapam. This mandapam is enclosed in a vast structure encompassed by huge wall statues of Goddess Durga, Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Lakshmi. The Sahasra Deepam (1008 lamps) is designed as a towering structure made of bronze. The structure has 9 layers and is 18 feet high.

Temple Timings

The temple is open for devotees from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM everyday. However the below timings can be noted:

• Abhishekam – 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM
• Aarthi Seva – 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

How to reach Sripuram Golden Temple

The temple is located at a distance of 145 kilometres from Chennai, 120 kilometres from Tirupati, 160 kilometres from Puducherry and 200 kilometres from Bengaluru.

The nearest railway station is at Vellore, about 12 kilometres from Sripuram. Frequent buses run from Vellore city to Golden Temple at Sripuram. Vellore is well connected by road with major cities including Bangalore, Chennai and Tirupati.

Chennai International Airport (148 kilometres away) and Bangalore International Airport (201 kilometres away) are the nearest airports.

Yellagiri is a small and popular hill station in Vellore District of Tamil Nadu. It dates back to the British colonial days and in the recent past has developed to be a full-fledged tourist spot. Travel through 14 hairpin bends leads you to the majestic Yellagiri Hills, situated at an altitude of 1410 meters, amidst four mountains and well known for its salubrious climate throughout the year.

Major Attractions in Yelagiri

Nature Park, Yelagiri

Established in the year 2008, the park consists of an aquarium, a rose garden, an artificial waterfall and a musical fountain. It is a great place for some fun and frolic especially for the kids.

Punganoor Lake, Yelagiri

This lake is one of the most popular landmark in Yelagiri Hills. It is an artificial lake 25 feet deep adjacent to the park. A walk along the lake side and a boat ride could be enjoyed here.

Jelagamparai Waterfalls

A 5 kilometre trek from Yelagiri downhill is the Jelagamparai Waterfalls. The Attaru river flows through Yelagiri Hills and plummets down to form the beautiful waterfalls. You could take the Tiruppaththur route (15 kilometres away) or climb up the hill.

Swami Malai Hills

Swami Malai Hills with a very high peak takes the shape of a cake and a strong base. The main deity is Lord Murugan. It offers a good mixture of spiritual aura and hiking experience.

Things to do in Yelagiri

Walking up the hill would be a real task but a memorable one too. Trekking, hiking and Summer Festival conducted every year are some of the appealing factors for the tourists. The flora and fauna found in the hills and beautiful landscape of the location is best suitable for photography.

Ideal time to visit Yelagiri

The ideal time to visit the place would be between the month May to July to enjoy the clear climate and wildlife and from September to March to have some adventures.

How to reach Yelagiri

Frequent buses are available from Yercaud to Thirupattur and Jolarpet. The nearest rail head is Salem Junction, nearest Railway Station is Jolarpet Railway Station. The nearest airports are Salem (38 kilometres), Tiruchirapalli (165 kilometres) and Coimbatore (195 kilometres).