Goldmine of Vellore’s religious tourism potential yet to be tapped

Residents of the historic town of Vellore feel that the district has enormous potential to offer for tourists interested in history and religion. The district abounds in religious places mostly frequented by locals, which may be of greater interest to the religious and historic buffs. The residents, however, rue the disinterest shown by the state tourism officials in promoting the places of interest.

Some of the renowned temples in the district, include the Rathnagiri Murugan Temple, 12 km from the town on the Chennai Highway, the Jalaganteswarar Temple inside the Vellore Fort which became functional in the early 1980s when local devotees went to court against the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) to install the presiding deity.

Similarly, the Vallimalai Murugan Temple near Ponnai and the Kulandai Velayuthapani Temple at Palamadhi near Otteri in Vellore town, the Subramania Swamy Temple at Kangeyanallur near Katpadi and the Teerthagiri Vadivel Subramania Swamy Temple at new Vasur on the outskirts of Vellore town are also known to most of the residents in the district.

Apart from a bevy of temples dedicated to Lord Murugan, Shiva and Vishnu, the town also has many temples which are rich in history. Only a few hard core historical enthusiasts are aware of such places as their existence have never came to the limelight. For instance, the government website for Vellore district reveals 17 places of interest, including some temple under ASI control, while the State Archaeology Department has only 5 places under its control.

Noted history researcher, Tamilvanan, who regularly conducts heritage walks in the area, said that the district has enough potential to start a religious tourism circuit.

“Most ancient temples in the district which are known to locals alone have hoary history embedded in them,” he said and added that the district has much to offer in Jain tourism circuit too.

For example, he said, “the Vallimalai Murugan Temple is also known for Jain caves, which have painted panels inside the caves.”

The Bairavar Temple near Latheri on the Katpadi – Gudiyattam Road is another temple which is not known much to the outside world. The Jain beds inside reveal that they were meant for hiding specially during the time when they did not get along with local Hindus. The cave also boasts of some ancient inscriptions, he revealed.

The Bagavathi Malai at Velapadi in Vellore town has a giant foot print and inscriptions of Kanara Devar. In all such temples poojas are being performed by locals.

“The Kurangumalai (monkey hill in Tamil near Pootuthakku on the Vellore – Chennai National Highway is a geological wonder formed out of lava and contains three tiered Jain beds which the ancients customised to suit their needs,” Tamilvanan added. When contacted about the potential of the district in tourism, officials seeking anonymity accepted that not much has been done to promote the town’s tourism possibilities. “Though the district has enough potential for religious tourism, nothing has been done about it. It is a good chance to increase revenue for the local traders,” the officials added.

“As Vellore witness heavy floating population of visitors who pass through on their way to Tirupati, a religious tourism circuit will be a natural addition for such devotees. The state tourism department can easily capitalise on this potential with little planning,” said a long time resident of the town Shyamlal.

“It will only take a day to cover the above places of interests as they are located in and around Vellore town,” he added.