Jalakanteshwarar Temple is a Shiva temple located at Vellore Fort. The ancient temple was built around 1566 in the
Vijayanagar style. A deity in the form of
Nataraja is on the northern altar. To the western side is the
Shivling.
The temple has a seven-storeyed gopura with two dwarpalakas standing vigil on either side. The gopura is 30 m high and is built of blue granite. There are many sculptural works and carvings in the temple. Among then the most impressive carvings are those of the kalyana mandapa (the columned hall in a temple, where marriages are solemnized). The inner pillars of the mandapa contain sculptures of vyalis (dragons), whereas the outer pillars have sculptures of rearing horses as well as dragons.
The nearby railhead is Katpadi, 6 km away from Vellore.
