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Dindigul
—  city  —
Dindigul Location of Dindigul in Tamil Nadu and India
Coordinates	10°21′N 77°57′E / 10.35°N 77.95°E / 10.35; 77.95Coordinates: 10°21′N 77°57′E / 10.35°N 77.95°E / 10.35; 77.95
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
Division	Madurai
District(s)	Dindigul
Population	196,619 (2004[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 268 metres (879 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 624001 • Telephone • +91-(0)451 • Vehicle • TN 57

Dindigul (Tamil: திண்டுக்கல்) is a City and District headquarters in Tamil Nadu state of southern India. This is a 11th largest Urban Agglomeration based on census 2011 in Tamil Nadu The name Dindigul comes from the Portmanteau of “Thindu” meaning pillow and “kal” meaning Rock and refers to the bare hill dominating the city’s both land and skyscape. While it is largely known as the “City of Locks,Briyani City, Textiles and Tannery", this piece of land sandwiched between the Palani and Sirumalai Hills has 200,000 hectares of cultivable land and agriculture continues to be the main occupation of its inhabitants. A reserved forest area of 85 hectares rich in flora and fauna enhances Dindigul’s appeal. Particularly the Kurinji flowers found on the rolling green hills of lower Palani range, which bloom once in 12 years is well known.^[1]

Dindigul - Fort On the hill at a height of 280 ft. In the year 1605 Madurai King 'Muthu Krishna Naicker' started the construction of this Fort. In 1623 to 1659 Mannar Thirumalai Naicker completed this. In 1755 Hyder Ali was escorting Fakhr-Un-Nisha his wife and Five years old Tipu to Dindigul. From 1784 to 1790 the Fort was under the rule of 'Tipu Sultan'. In 1784, the Tipu's commandant Syed Ibrahim, under whose care the Fort was, constructed many rooms in the Fort, strengthened the walls and also conducted repairs. During the year 1790 in the Mysore war Tipu was defeated and the Fort came into the hands of English.

Demographics[link]

As of 2011^[update] India census,^[2] Dindigul Urban Agglomeration had a population of 2,92,132. Males constitute 1,45,438 & females 1,46,694. Dindigul has an average literacy rate of 90.55%, higher than the national average of 78.8%: male literacy is 94.36% and, female literacy is 86.79%. In Dindigul, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

This district is bound by Erode, Tirupur, Karur and Trichy districts on the North, by Sivaganga and Tiruchi District on the East, by Madurai district on the South and by Theni and Coimbatore Districts and Kerala State on the West. It is spread over on area of 6266.64 km². It comprises 3 Revenue Divisions, 8 Taluks and 14 Panchayat Unions

Economy[link]

The city is home to a major IT and textile spinning industry, which ranks highest capacity next only to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.There are numorous Textile Mills in and around Dindigul City. A large number of Chamber Brick units are functioning in this District. Dindigul Lock and Iron Safes are very famous for its quality. Hand loom, Rice milling, Ground nut and Vermicelli are the other type of food based Industries functioning in this District. There is much scope for starting the Leather based units, Lock units, Brick Units and Food based units in this District.
Dindigul city is an important wholesale market for onion and groundnut. Chinnalapatti, which is located 11 kilometres from Dindigul, is known for its flourishing hand loom industry. Silk art, known as Sarees, and Sungudi produced in Chinnalapatti are well known throughout India. More than 1000 families are engaged in this industry. Nilakkottai town is known for Brass Vessels, Jewellery and also for flowers and Grapes. Ottanschatram is a noted market centre for vegetables. It is known for the export of butter, manufactured in the nearby villages using cream separators. Vathalagundu is a market centre for tomato. Pattiveeranpatti in Vathalagundu Block is known for Cardamom and Coffee enterprises.

Agriculture[link]

Dindigul is primarily an agro-based town of Tamil Nadu. About 70% of the total population earns their livelihood directly or indirectly through Agriculture. There are about 165 Rice mills in and around Dindigul. Famous flour mill Naga, Viskalakshi are located there. Anil Semia, Savorit Semia, Nandhini Saamburani industries are located in Dindigul. Dindigul city is an important wholesale market for Cotton, onions and groundnuts (peanuts). Panneer Grapes which is a special type of black grapes is specific to Dindigul.

Textiles[link]

Spinning Industry

The city is home to a major textile spinning industry, which ranks highest capacity within Tamil Nadu. During his period or rule, MGR, the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu gave away grants to start and run spinning industries in Dindigul to promote the industrial development of the district. Now vedasandur, a suburb of Dindigul has so many spinning mills.

Hand loom sarees

Another famous manufacturing item from Dindigul is Hand loom sarees. Particularly in Nagal nagar area hundreds of Sourashtra community people are doing hand loom sarees manufacturing. The hand loom sarees are good. But the cost is very low. Keeping these sarees like the silk sarees, it can be used for more years.

Leather[link]

Dindigul is known for its leather tanning Industry.Tanneries are thickly situated in this District. The finished and semi finished leather and other leather products have a good export market.

Dindigul locks[link]

Locks & steel safes made in Dindigul are known for good quality and durability. Locks manufacturing is operated as a co-operative sector.^[3] Locks manufactured here are sold to national and international markets. Dindigul locks — are likely to get Geographical Indication (GI) for establishing their place of origin. The Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, through its research officers wing, has initiated steps to get GI^[4]

Tobacco[link]

Dindigul has been a centre of tobacco trade and a manufacturer of cigars from the time of British rule. A favorite cigar of Winston Churchill called Churut, the 'Light of Asia', was produced in Dindigul. The tobacco industry is one of the main sources of employment for the inhabitants of Dindigul.The central government has a research center for tobacco in vedasandur. This is one of the two centers in India, the other one is Rajmundri.

Paan[link]

Roja beetal nut(roja pakku ) is a scented supari is produced here which is famous in Tamil Nadu

Education[link]

University[link]

• Gandhigram Rural University(GRU) Gandhigram Official Site
• Mother Theresa University for Women at Kodaikanal Official Site

Colleges[link]

• PSNA College of Engineering & Technology (Palani Road) Official Site
• RVS College of Engineering & Technology (Karur Road)
• NPR Group of Colleges,(Natham)[1]
• G.T.N Arts and Science College (Karur Road)
• MVM Arts and Science College (Vedasandur Road)
• Parvathy Arts College (Madurai Road)
• Ramprabha Arts college (Natham Road)
• Pannaikadu Veerammal Paramasivam Arts and Science College
• Pannaikadu Veerammal Paramasivam College of Engineering and Technology for Women (PVP), Banthalagundu
• Christian Engineering & Polytechnic College (Oddanchatram)
• Surabi Nursing, Fashion Designing & Catering College (Dindigul)
• Amman College of Education (Dindigul)
• Sri Hayagreeva Arts And Science College (SHAASCO), (Madurai Road) Official Site
• JVP School of Nursing, Begambur
• SSM Institute of Engineering and Technology
• SBM College of engineering and Technology
• SRI Subramanya College of engineering and Technology

Schools[link]

• St. Mary's Higher Secondary School
• MTPKN Matriculation School
• Ganthiji Memorial Primary School,Vellam Patty.
• Dudley higher secondary school
• Kennady Matriculation School
• St.Joseph's Girls' Higher Seconday School
• Annamalaiar Mill's Girls' Higher Secondary School
• SMB Matric Hr. Sec School
• M.S.P Solai Nadar Hr.Sec.School
• Soundararaja Vidyalaya
• Johnpaul Hr.Sec.School
• Om Shanthi Higher Secondary School (CBSE)
• our lady girls Hr. sec school
• Sobiya Matric Hr. sec school
• Maharishi vidhya mandir (CBSE), Seelapadi
• Vasavi mat. Hr. Sec School
• Cersent mat. School
• M.V.M School
• Vidhya parthi Hr. Sec School, Seelapadi
• Angu Ingu School
• S.R.V matric hr. sec School,
• Akshaya vidyalaya matric Hr.Sec school
• Seventh Adventist Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Mengles Road (Elementary) and Ponnagaram, Natham Road
• Govt.Girls hr.sec school
• Govt. Boys hr. sec school
• Shri Gurumuki vidhyasshram
• Aruljothi vallalar hr.sec school
• Kendriya vidyalaya hr.sec school
• Nsvv Group of schools - Pattiveeranpatti
• Thambithottam Higher Secendry School, Gandhigram

Places to Visit[link]

Dindigul Rock Fort- This 280-foot-tall fort was constructed in 1605 by Madurai King Muthi Krishna Naicker and Thirumalai Naicker. It was a witness to many wars between rulers like Tipu Sultan and the English men.

Sirumalai - Hill Resort - This is a Hill resort for weary travelers and is on the way to Natham from Dindigul. This place is accessible from Madurai also.

Thadikombu - Perumal Temple - This is 5 km. from Dindigul on the way to Karur. The main deity is Lord Alagar and the main festival is during the Tamil month of Chitrai.(April–May)

Begambur Big Mosque - This is a famous mosque in Begambur Pallivasal and is around 200–300 years old.

Sri Kottai Mariamman Kovil - This is an ancient temple believed to be 200 years old and the idol is believed to have been installed by the King Tipu Sultan. There are many deities in this temple like Mariamman which is the main deity, Vinayaka, Muruga, Madurai Veeran, Kali and Durga. The temple structure is in the form of a square. The temple is run by a board of Trustees.

Kasi Visalakshi-Vishwanathar Temple in Kunnuvarankottai or Kunnapatti (Pronounced as "Kannapatti") is eight kilometers from Batlagundu on the Batlagundu-Usilampatti road. (It is to be noted that locals pronounce the village name as Kunnuvarankottai or "Kannapatti" (Tamil:கண்ணாப்பட்டி. This area is also referred in the biography of Sri Sacchidananda Bharathi-I). This is the birth place of the 25th Pontiff of the Sringeri Sarada Peetam Sri Sacchidananda Bharathi I. There are regular buses every 30 minutes from Batlagundu bus stand to Usilampatti (the bus stop is better known as Kannapatti(Tamil:கண்ணாப்பட்டி)). It is advisable to visit the temple in the mornings from 7:30 am – 11:30 am. Shri V.Viswanathan is the priest of this temple. One main advantage of this temple is that it is just very close (walkable distance) to the main Batlagundu - Usilamapatti road and is easily accessible to devotees. There are budget restaurants in Batlagundu that serve South-Indian dishes. An added attraction is the point of confluence of the three rivers Vaigai, Manjalaru and Maruda. It is pertinent to note that the river Vaigai flows northward near this village. This is an important pilgrimage point where devotees take holy bath in the rivers during auspicious days.

Kamakshiamman Temple in Devadanapatti is eight kilometers away on the Batlagundu-Peryakulam road. The deity here is called as Moongilanai Kamakshi. There are regular buses from Batlagundu bus stand (every 10 minutes) to Periyakulam. (the bus stop is Devadanapatti).

Anjaneyar Temple in Anapatti is 5 kilometers from Nilakottai Taluk is quite popular among residents of this area. Nilakottai is 11 kilomteres from Batlagundu bus stand. This is said to be 300 year old temple built by Queen of Madurai Rani Mangamma. The idol will be half buried when the water is in full flow here. This temple is near the Peranai bridge (see site below) and regulator constructed by the British.

Sendraya Perumal Temple There is an ancient temple of Sri Sendraya Perumal situated on a hill near old Batlagundu. Mr Kannan is a priest in this temple. He is involved in developmental activities like Anna Thaanam (a programme provide free meals) and building new Mandabams (halls). People of all faiths and religions visit this temple. The temple festival is held in Kottaipatti village every other year. The temple is located on the way to the Kodaikanal hills..

Peranai It is a reservoir and a fine picnic spot from October to late February, provided the north-east monsoon sets properly and water is released from the Vaigai Dam. Peranai is a unique confluence of waters from several dams - the Vaigai Dam, the Marudanadi Dam in Dindigul, the Manjalar, and Varahanadi Dams in Theni. It is not a separate catchment area but collects and diverts water released from the Vaigai every year. This is in Nilakottai taluk of Dindigul. It is approximately 15 kilometres from Nilakottai town on the Madurai-Kodaikanal road.

Manjalar Dam This is a reservoir that stores water from Manjalar river on the foothills of Kodiakanal hillstation. This is roughly 8–10 km away from Batlagundu bus stand. This is a place to visit during monsoons from October to March if the monsoon sets properly.

Siddharmalai - A hillock 2 kilometres from Peranai and near the Vikkiramangalam village on the Usilampatti main road. There is a large natural cavern on the southern side of the hillock called the Pancha Pandava Padukkai (Bed of the Five Pandavas'). There are two rows of beds with raised pillows chiselled out of the rock inside. There is an inscription on the rock face that traces the origin of the name of Madurai city — `Mathirai' (City of Walls).

St.Joseph Church - This 100-year-old church was constructed between 1866 to 1872. This is the head church of all other Roman Catholic churches in Dindigul District.

Nagal Nagar perumal Temple - This is a Vishnu temple which is in Nagal nagar near the Railway bridge which is directed by Nagal Nagar Sourashtra Shaba.

karuppanna saamy temple- This temple located in a village called Kuttiya patty.It's 5 Km from dindigul town to theni road.This temple was shown in a tamil film named KOODAL NAGAR.

Dindigul Rock Fort[link]

It is a historical place, where you can find the olden days army environment. The historical Rock Fort of this district was constructed by the famous Naik King Muthukrishnappa Naicker. It is located between 10005” and 100 9” North Latitude and 77030” and 78020” East Longitude.

Kodaikanal[link]

Kodaikanal is the tourist place which is located (Dindigul District) 100 km from dindigul and 115 km from madurai. This is always a good place to visit in summer. It is in the Western Ghats and called Princess of Hill Stations. Peranai and Sirumalai are the other two picnic spots of this district. There are four dams namely, Palar Porandalar, Varathamanathi, Pabap Palar in Palani Taluk and Maruthanathi in Dindigul Taluk augment irrigation facilities to agricultural fields in this district.

Palani[link]

Palani is famous Murugan Temple. It is located in Palani Hills. This temple was built at top of the mountain. It is 60 km from Dindigul.

Vedasandur[link]

Vedasandur is one of the taluka in Dindigul district. Vedasandur is a small town which has few good places to visit. Vishnu Temple (on River bank) Kunguma Kaliamman Kovil (on River bank) Pathra Kaliamman Kovil (on River bank) Mariamman Kovil (town centre) Mosque (Near bus stand) Darga (Near bus stand) Fathima Madha Church (Fathima Nagar)

Vedasandur has been a centre of tobacco trade and a manufacturer of cigars from the time of British rule. Chirut, the favorite cigar of Winston Churchill, the 'Light of Asia', was produced in Dindigul. The tobacco industry is one of the main sources of employment for the inhabitants of Vedasandur

Vadamadurai[link]

Vadamadurai is a panchayat under Vedasandur taluka, located 18 km from Dindigul in the way to Trichy (Dindugul- Trichy NH 45)It gains fame due to the spinning mills, and Sri Sounderraja Perumal temple . The Perumal Temple festival is very famous in the panchayat.

Sirumalai[link]

Sirumalai hill is near to Dindigul city. Travel Direction: Start your journey towards Natham from Dindigul. Sirumalai hill is known for its bananas(known as siru'malai' vaalaipalam). Sirumalai hill's bananas is exported to Foreign countries from past. Many rare herbs are available in Sirumali hill. As a tourist spot the developments for the artificial lake is on construction and soon will be opened for boating expected, by mid of 2011. The students from schools & colleges go for trekking and for other fun activities. The Hill has totally 18 hair-pin bends and on the middle of the travel you can able to find a church and a view point from where you can watch the beauty of Dindigul city also the "Dindigul Rock Fort" and few lakes. The climate here is enjoyable and it is too cool once you reach top of the hill town.

Vellam Patty[link]

Vellam patty is famous Marimuthu swamy Temple. It is located in vellam patty. This temple was built at top of the mountain. It is 16 km from Dindigul.

Ayyalur[link]

It is in 25KM from Dindigul. Ayyalur have a huge tomato market. Nearest villege peoples are came for sale their agri products.(updated by balaprasanth)

N. PANJAMPATTI[link]

7 Kilometers away from DIndigul. 300 years church is famous for this village.

Falls[link]

Ayyanar Falls[link]

Falls is located at 18th km from Dindigul driving towards Thirumalaikeni which is at 25 km away from Dindigul town - Siluvattur Road. The falls is located 2.3 km inside from main road. The falls can be reached two wheelers till 1.2 km and other one km people need to walk to enjoy the chillness and cool bath in the falls. Other falls surrounding the Dindigul city are Vadipatti falls, Kumbakarai falls.

Kuthirai kuluppatti(Tamil-குதிரைகுளிப்பாட்டி) Falls[link]

This falls take place in a all 365 days water stream (Tamil-ஓடை), which is the main water source of kamarajar dam in Aathoor.

Cuisine[link]

Dindigul Briyani is well known in all over South India and also called Briyani City^[5] Briyani prepared in Dindigul uses a small rice called seeraga samba and with special ingredients.^[6]

Sports[link]

Professional football players have come from Dindigul district. The Dindigul Football Association (DFA) works closely with the Tamil Nadu Football Association to conduct tournaments for both junior and senior levels. Kitti Kambu also is a famous sport.Cricket in Dindigul is a bigger activity comparing to other sports and games.The Dindigul District Cricket Association(DDCA) conducts league matches in an effective manner. Mohammed, Suthesh, Ram kumar are the prominent cricketers from Dindigul.

Travel and connections[link]

Dindigul City is well connected by both rail and road from all over Tamil Nadu and Major Indian Cities. Dindigul is en-route NH-7, NH-45, NH45 Extn and NH-209. Dindigul bus stand is called as Kamarajar Bus stand. It was named so to honour Tamil Nadu's then CM KAMARAJAR. Dindigul railway station is a major Junction located in Southern Railway's Madurai Division. The nearest airport is Madurai airport.

The famous spiritual person shri Ramana Maharishi studied in government high school, dindigul.

Road[link]

NH7 passes though dindigul

Train[link]

Dindigul railway station is one of the important station in south Tamil Nadu. Dindigul bridges the entire south Tamil Nadu into other region of Tamil Nadu like Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Karur.

Pilgrim centre[link]

There are many temples in and around the city. There is a samadhi, for Siddha Purusha called Odha Samiyar.

In the middle of the city a famous temple for Lord Padmagreeshwarar i.e. Lord Shiva. But, this temple is commonly called as "Abirami Amman Kovil" It has come to know that this temple is situated within the fort of Dindigul Rockfort and because of war, the temple is shifted to the present place. Another famous temple is Arulmigu Srinivasa perumal kovil which is situated very near to Rockfort. This is also a very old temple. In full moon days, the devotees gather in Abirami amman temple and go "Giri valam" around the Rock fort.Temples for Sri Hanuman and Sri Shaneeshwar stand adjacent to the fort to which devotees flock to offer worship on Saturdays.

Another famous temple situated at the bottom of the Rockfort is Sri Kottai Mariamman temple.^[7] During the Months of January to February(Tamil Month Masi), Mariamman festival(Masi Perunthiruvizha) is celebrated in this temple. Lakh's of people come and participate in this function from various parts of Tamil Nadu. There is another temple in the outskirts of Dindigul named as Arulmigu Sounderaja Perumal Temple located at Thadikombu 5 Minutes drive from Dindigul. This place was once Border of Vijayanagara empire. Away from Dindigul town, there is a temple for sree chakkarathalwar and one temple for Sree venugopalaswamy in a small mount on the way to vedasandur.

Dindigul City has a very huge church located in the heart of the town. Apart from that, there are many other small churches and prayer halls located all around the town.

The Big Mosque Churches and Mosques in Dindigul in Begambur can be considered as the biggest mosque in the town as the name insists. Apart from that there are few other mosques and darkas in round road and other places of town.

Politics[link]

Dindigul assembly constituency is part of Dindigul (Lok Sabha constituency).^[8]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dindigul

• Know More About our City - thedindigul.com
• Information about Dindigul - thedindigulonline.com
• Dindigul District - A Profile,The Hindu-Feb 2010
• Dindigul (Lok Sabha constituency)
• Dindigul District - Detailed Profile

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