The temple town of Tiruvannamalai, 85 km south fo Vellore, is an important Shaivite toen. Of the 100 or more temples, the most outstanding is the Siva-Parvati Temple of Arunachaleswar, which is said to be the largest in India. The main gopuram is 66 m and 13 storey high, and there is a 1000-pillared hall.

Gingee (Senji)
Gingee pronounced as 'shingee' is 37 km east of Tiruvannamalai. There is an interesting fort complex here, constructed mainly in the 16th century during the Vijaynagar Empire (though some of the structures date back to 1200 AD). The fort is built on three separate hills, joined by three km of fortified walls. The buildings - a granary, audience hall, Siva temple and a