| Vandavasi | |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Image Alt: | A picture of Vandavasi fort |
| Pushpin Map: | India Tamil Nadu |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Tamil Nadu, India |
| Coordinates: | 12.5°N 79.62°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Tamil Nadu |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Tiruvannamalai |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Elevation M: | 74 |
| Population Total: | 74320 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Tamil |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 604408 |
Vandavasi (formerly anglicised as Wandiwash[2]) is a major town and a municipality in the Tiruvannamalai district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.[3] The town is well known in the Carnatic history for the Battle of Wandiwash. Vandavasi town is also the largest manufacturer of kora artefacts including mats, shawls and vessels. As of 2011, the town had a population 74,320.
Wandiwash was the site of a decisive battle in the 18th century Carnatic Wars between France and the British Empire for control over south Asia. The Battle of Wandiwash was a watershed moment in Indian history as it cemented British supremacy in India. On 22 January 1760, a British force led by Eyre Coote defeated a French force led by General Thomas Lally.[4]
Vandavasi is located on the state highway SH5 that connects Tindivanam and Arcot. It lies 110 km southwest of state capital Chennai, 40 km south of the temple city of Kanchipuram, 80 km northeast of Thiruvannamalai, 42 km southeast of Arani & 80 km from Vellore. It is situated at an average elevation of 74 metres (242 feet) above sea level.Vandavasi's climatic condition is similar to that of Chennai, lying on the thermal equator and close to the coast, while most of the year the climate is hot and humid.[5]
As of the 2011 census, Vandavasi had a population of 74,320 with a sex-ratio of 1,012 females for every 1,000 males, far above the national average of 929 females per 1,000 males.[6] A total of 3,337 were under the age of six, constituting 1,740 males and 1,597 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 13.54% and 1.31% of the population respectively. The average literacy rate was 77.3%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[6] The town had a total of 7326 households. There were a total of 10,553 workers, comprising 152 cultivators, 302 main agricultural labourers, 309 in household industries, 9,093 other workers, 697 marginal workers, 8 marginal cultivators, 27 marginal agricultural labourers, 52 marginal workers in household industries and 610 other marginal workers.[7] As per the religious census of 2011, Vandavasi's population was 60.86% Hindu, 34.73% Muslim, 3.03% Christian, 1.28% Jain, 0.02% Sikh, and 0% Buddhist, with 0.08% following other religions and 0% following no religion or not indicating any religious preference.[8]
Vandavasi Fort is an important landmark in Vandavasi, which witnessed the decisive Battle of Wandiwash. The Nayak of Vandavasi, a vassal of the Vijaynagar Empire, was instrumental in helping the British secure a land grant for Chandragiri Fort on which to build the city of Madras (modern day Chennai).
Arahanthgiri Jain Math is a Jain matha that was established at the ancient Jain site of Tiruvannamalai in August 1998.[9] The complex includes 3 Jain caves, 4 Jain temples and a 16-meter high sculpture of Neminatha thought to be from the 12th century, that is the tallest Jain image in Tamil Nadu. Sri Thavalagiriswarar Temple is a notable temple located atop the Vengundram hill.
Vandavasi was a Lok Sabha constituency till a delimitation in 2009. It is now part of Vandavasi state assembly constituency and Arani Lok Sabha constituency.[10]