Vaniyambadi

Vaniyambadi (shortly known as VNB or VN) (Tamil: வாணியம்பாடி) is a prominent industrial town in the Vellore region in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is recognised as one of India's major leather manufacturing and export hubs. Along with its twin town, Ambur (16 km to the East), the Vaniyambadi Revenue district accounts for a significant share of India's finished leather, leather garments, and footwear components shipped directly to international markets, including Europe and North America. It is located about 67 km east of Vellore, 146 km west of Bengaluru, and 200 km east of the state's capital, Chennai.

Historically, Vaniyambadi has remained a major town in the North Arcot district of the Madras Presidency (present-day Tamil Nadu). In 1989, the North Arcot district was bifurcated into Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts, and Vaniyambadi remained part of the Vellore district. Later in 2019, the Vellore district was further trifurcated into Ranipet, Tirupathur, and Vellore districts, with Vaniyambadi becoming a part of Tirupathur district, thereby breaking the century-old administrative ties with Vellore.

The Vaniyambadi Municipality was formed by the G.O. MS. No. 421 Local & Municipality Department in April 1886. In 1996, this Municipality was upgraded to Grade II Municipality by G.O. MS. NO. 118 Rural Development Local Administration Department dated 01.05.1996. In 1998, this Municipality was upgraded to 1st Grade. There has been a long-standing request to upgrade the town to a municipal corporation.

It is one of the hubs of Leather exports in Tamil Nadu. It is also famous throughout India for its special Vaniyambadi Biryani. The city is the home for many prestigious century-old educational institutions viz. The Vaniyambadi Muslim Educational Society (VMES) (Estd. 1901), The Hindu Higher Secondary School (Estd. 1914). The famous hill station Yelagiri is approximately 20 km away from town. Another hill station leading way through Andhra Pradesh is a short way to Kolar Gold Fields and Karnataka.