page_title: Vaniyambadi
section_title: Places of interest
hierarchical_section_title: Vaniyambadi / Places of interest
caption_attribution_description: English: 93-inch telescope building at Vainu Bappu Observatory.
context_page_description: Vaniyambadi is a major town in the northern part of Tamil Nadu, India and the headquarter for the Vaniyambadi Revenue district comprising Vaniyambadi and Ambur. It is located about 200 km from Chennai. The Vaniyambadi Municipality was formed by the G.O. MS. No. 421 Local & Municipality Dept. dated 21.08.1885 by the British Government in April 1886. In 1996 this Municipality was upgraded to Grade II Municipality by G.O. MS. NO. 118 Rural Development Local Administration Dept. dated 01.05.1996. In 1998 this Municipality was upgraded to 1st Grade.
  It is one of the hubs of Leather exports in Tamil Nadu. It is also known for its world-famous, delicious and mouth-watering Biryani. The city is the home for many prestigious century old educational institutions viz. The Islamiah Group of Education, The Hindu Higher Secondary School. The famous hill station Yelagiri is approximately 20 km away from town. Another hill station leading way through Andhra Pradesh is a short way to Kolar Gold Fields and Karnataka.
context_section_description: Asia's second largest telescope, Vainu Bappu Observatory of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics is situated at Kavalur near Vaniyambadi. Perhaps the Sundara Varadaraja Perumal and Athitheeswarar temples are the main draws of this town. The town also has a number of mosques built in the medieval as well as modern Islamic architectural styles. The dargah of Janab Masthan Ali Aulia Saheb draws devotees from all faiths, while the Avanghali temple nearby proclaims this town's great record in harmonious co-existence of different religions. Vaniyambadi is famous for its various local sweets and biryani.
  Devotees to the temples here often extend their stay to visit one of the two hill stations that lie within half-hour drives from the town center. Yelagiri, which is one such hilltop resort set amidst a quarter of mountains. The structure of tribal houses and the locals’ small-scale industries, such as honey gathering and weaving, attract tourists to this hill station.
caption: A view of the Vainu Bappu Observatory
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