Vellore is a city of 505,000 people (2011) in Tamil Nadu, India. Visitors are drawn by its large 16th-century fort, which is known for its grand ramparts, wide moat and robust masonry. Apart from Fort tourism, Christian Medical College due to its esteemed position in the country, both as a medical college and a hospital, invites many students, medical practitioners, and patients from around the country. Vellore Institute of Technology located at Katpadi in Vellore district also attracts visitors from around the country.
Vellore is known as the leather hub of India. Hundreds of leather and tannery facilities are around Vellore and nearby towns, such as Ranipet, Ambur and Vaniyambadi. Most employment is provided by the leather industry, agricultural trading, and industries in and around the city.
The temperature ranges from 13 °C (55 °F) to 39.4 °C (102.9 °F). Like the rest of the state, April to June are the hottest months and December to January are the coldest. The southwestern monsoon from June to September brings 517.1 mm of rainfall, with September being the rainiest month. The northeastern monsoon which lasts from October to December brings 388.4 mm of rainfall. The humidity ranges from 40%–63% during summer and 67%–86% during winter.
Vellore is well connected by train and bus from Bangalore (210 km) and Chennai (140 km).
Vellore has two railway stations: Katpadi Junction and Vellore Cantonment. There are frequent trains from Tirupathi, Bangalore, Chennai and Coimbatore. Other trains passing through this route also halt at Katpadi Jn.
Vellore's main Bus Stand is near the Palar Bridge (5 km from Katpadi Jn). State-run and privately-run buses come from all major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.
Getting around Vellore is relatively inexpensive and easy. At peak office hours it is advisable to rent private transport to avoid over crowded public transport.
By bus
There are frequent buses (almost every 5 min) from Katpadi to Bagayam, two junctions that are considered terminals for city buses. These buses are both private and state-run. Katpadi to Bagayam is about 13 km and most of the city is covered in this route. The maximum tariff is ₹4.50 on this route.
To reach other destinations in Vellore district, first travel to the Old Bus Stand or the New Bus Stand (both on the Katpadi-Bagayam route) depending on the destination and take a bus to the required destination.
By autorickshaw
Auto rickshaws are easily accessible and the second most common form of transportation around the city. Most auto rickshaws do not work with the fare meter and therefore it is necessary to fix the tariff before taking a ride. If you want to travel by the auto, stick to these rules:
As a general rule, expect to pay about ₹10 to ₹15 for every kilometer you travel.
Be careful about the following when you plan to undertake an auto-rickshaw trip:
Share autos are an alternative mode of transport in Vellore. They are over-sized three wheelers running on diesel and charge slightly more than the bus.
By taxi
Taxis are not very common for transportation within the city. However they are available at Katpadi Jn to ride to destinations within the city.
To travel to areas outside the city, tourist cabs can be arranged by most hotels or travel agents.
By bicycle
It is easy to rent bicycles in local shops all over the city and is a cheap alternative to reach from one point to another. Rental charges will have to be paid by the hour or per day depending on the rental shop.
By car
Indian nationals with access to a car can travel conveniently within the city. However it is not advisable for foreign nationals to rent cars and drive as it will be difficult to drive, typical of the unruly Indian traffic and pedestrians.
Major shopping regions in the city are Anna Salai, Main Bazaar, Long Bazaar, Filter Bed Road, Ida Scudder Road, Katpadi Road and Gandhi road. Several large textiles showroom such as Chennai Silks, Pachaiyappas Silks, Max Fashion, Pantaloons, Reliance Retail, Planet Fashion and also several branded showrooms such as Blackberrys, Puma, UCB, Adidas, Levis, Derby, Peter England, Raymonds, Fabindia, Johnplayers, Crocodile and many others available along the Anna Salai.
The Vellore region is the largest exporter of finished leather goods in the country, so you may be able to find some good deals on leather.
Vellore is famous for Biryani made from Jeera Sambha Rice.
By BSNL (Cellone) mobile network.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division