Temples of Vellore

Temples of Vellore:

Jalakandeshwara temple

Kayana Mantapa, Jalakandeshwara temple

Jalakandeshwara temple is much underrated due to tourist’s attraction towards the Golden temple in Vellore. The temple is built during the Vijayanagara periods in 1550 AD and is located in the Vellore fort surrounded by water, hence the name Jalakandeshwara (Jala means water). The temple is under the control of Archaeological survey of India (ASI).

See-through the Gopurams at Jalakandeshwara temple

See-through view of Gopura's at Jalakandeshwara temple

The Main gopura and the second gopura

The temple is built in Vijayanagara style of architecture; one of the most prominent architectural features are the giant Gopura (gateway tower) which is over 100ft in height and the mantapa with exquisitely carved stone pillars of dragons, horses and yalis (lion like creature). There is another enclosure for the temple with a smaller Gopura. The enclosure is surrounded by the long pillared corridors. After entering the second Gopura, is the main temple and the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) dedicated to Lord Shiva. Photography is prohibited after entering the second Gopura.

The monolithic sculptured pillars at the Mantapa

Amazing carvings on the outer pillars of the mantapa

View from the platform inside the Mantapa

The front row of monolithic stone scuptures, Kalyana mantapa

Pillared Corridors inside the Temple complex

Entry ticket and Parking fee: Entry is free. Car parking is 30 Rs.
Timings: 6:30am to 1:00 pm and 3:00pm to 8:30pm

Golden temple

Lakshmi Narayani Golden temple at Vellore is gaining popularity to become one of the most popular temples in Tamil Nadu, mainly for its striking feature being built using real Gold.

It will typically take 2-3 hrs for a normal free entry, one has to walk through the entry point and walk for five mins to reach waiting halls. They will make you wait for at least 30 mins in one of these halls before they release you to walk further. If you pay 100 Rs one can skip these waiting rooms. Further past the waiting rooms, you've to walk for another 5-10 mins to reach the entrance area again, where you meet the special entrance ticket holders (250 Rs Seva ticket). From here one has to walk (including the seva ticket holders) through a long way across the star shaped walkway which surrounds the golden temple. Once you reach the temple there is another circular path around the golden temple. Here there are two lanes, Seva ticket holders get the lane nearest to the golden temple and others get the next lane. Finally after entering the golden temple, Seva ticket holders can sit for some time inside the mantapa and others will have to get the Darshan of goddess Lakshmi and leave.

The entire temple is gold plated both interiors and exteriors and is surrounded by water, which makes it look stunning. These amazing visuals are not to be missed and a must visit at-least once in a lifetime.

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