Vandavasi

Vandavasi is a city and a municipality in Tiruvannamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 76 KM towards East from District head quarters Thiruvannamalai. It has an average elevation of 74 metres. It is a Taluk head quarter. Vandavasi was the scene of a decisive battle in the 18th-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. The ruler of the area, Chennapa Nayak, the Nayaka of Vandavasi, granted the British permission to build a factory and warehouse for their trading enterprises. The region was then primarily a fishing village known as "Madraspatnam".

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 is said to have an underground passage to Gingee fort. The Nayak of Vandavasi, a vassal of Vijaynagara Kings was instrumental in helping British secure grant from Chandragiri Fort to build the city of Madras. Arahanthgiri Jain Math is a Jain Math that was established at the ancient Jain site of Tiruvannamalai in August 1998.