Vandavasi or Wandiwash is a city and a municipality in Tiruvanamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Vandavasi was the scene of a decisive battle in the eighteenth-century war between France and the United Kingdom for the control of South Asia. The Battle of Wandiwash was a watershed in Indian history as it cemented British supremacy in South Asia. On January 22, 1760, a British force led by Eyre Coote defeated a French force led by General Lally.

Geography and climate

Vandavasi is located at . It lies 110 kilometres South-West of Chennai City, South of famous temple city Kanchipuram and 80 K.M North- East of Thiruvannamalai. The town is well connected with Chennai by road. It has an average elevation of 74 metres (242 feet).Vandavasi climatic condition is similar to that of Chennai, lying on the thermal equator and close to the coast, most part of the year climate is hot and humid.

Demographics

 India census, Vandavasi had a population of 29,612. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Vandavasi has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 68%. In Vandavasi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Hindu, Muslim, Christianity and Jainism are the major religions followed here.

Places of interest

Vandavasi fort would have been a famous tourist spot but for its negligence by the authorities. It witnessed the decisive Battle of Wandiwash, it even said to have an underground passage to gingee fort.There are more number of temples in and around Vandavasi

• Sacred Heart Church is more than 100 years old and the christians of this place have a good concern for the other religions people. There are 3 schools around the campus educating many of the poor people.
• Kamatchi Amman Temple (with Asta Buga Kalabairavar, Nava Gragas with their wifes & etc)
• AdhiRanganatha Swamy temple
• Jalakandaeshwara temple

Those three temples are as old as 500 years. Among these Kamatchi Amman temple was rebuilt by a team of members along with public on 14 July 2008. Reconstruction works of Jalakandeshwarar & Adhi Ranganatha Swamy temples are going on.

• Panduranga temple at Thennangur
• Sreenivasa perumal temple at Navalpakkam
• Narasimmar temple at Sogathoor
• fort temple at Wandiwash
• Kilsathamangalam Village British used Toppu (beerangi)
• sri Nethaghi Kumaran Kundru(Balamurugan), Embalam . (12km From Vandavasi)

Jain temples as old 1400 years are found in the villages near by.

• Kilsathamangalam Village Jain temple
• Birudur Village Jain temple
• Ponnurmalai Jain Temple, around 10km from Vandavasi

The famous Athiparasakthi Temple (Melmaruvathur) is located South-West of Vandavasi (28 K.M.)

Business

Most of the people here are engaged in mat making. Vandavasi has its own brand name for mats. Mats made here are even exported to foreign countries.

Education

Schools

There are many major schools situated in the heart of the Town.

• Govt. boys higher secondary school,
• Govt. girls higher secondary school,
• Shannathi Higher sec School,
• Kingston Matric higher secondary school,
• Venkateshwara Matric higher secondary school,
• RCM high school of education,
• RCM primary school of education,
• St mary's English Medium School,
• Green Park matriculation school,
• Arunachal city matric school,
• Sacred Heart School

Colleges

• Thiruvalluvar engineering college,
• King Nandhivarman college of arts and science,
• Akilandeshwari women's college
• SRI polytechnic college offers higher education.
• Durai group of institutions

Industrial training

• 1008 sri kund kundar ITI
• VA Arunachala mudaliyar baalaambaal ITI

Teacher training institutions

• M.Durai institute of teacher training

Politics

Vandavasi assembly constituency is part of Vandavasi .

References

External links

• About Tamilnadu other places
• Municipality of Vandavasi
• Map of Vandavasi

See also

• Vandavasi
• Battle of Wandiwash