Dindigul

Dindigul Dindigul
town
Location of Dindigul
Government
Population  (2004)
• Total	196,619

Dindigul (Template:Lang-ta) is a town and municipality in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. It is the 10th largest town in Tamil Nadu after the cities, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Salem, Tirunelveli, Erode, Tirupur, Vellore

See Also * Dindigul (Lok Sabha constituency)

Dindigul - Fort

The Huge Hill at Dindigul, if we see it from one angle, looks like Pillow ('Dhindu') and hence the City is known as Dindigul. On this 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, strenthend the walls and also got repaired. During the year 1790 in the Mysore war Tipu was defeated and the Fort came into the hands of English.

Geography

Dindigul town is surrounded by hills on all sides.

Demographics

As of 2004 India census, Dindigul had a population of 196,619. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Dindigul has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 64.8%: male literacy is 84% and, female literacy is 74%. In Dindigul, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

This district is bound by Erode, Coimbatore, 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 Sq. Km. It comprises of 3 Revenue Divisions, 8 Taluks and 14 Panchayat Unions

Industries

Dindigul is known for its leather tanning Industry. Besides tanning, the city is home to a major textile spinning industry, which ranks highest spindlage capacity within Tamil Nadu. During his period or rule, MGR, the them 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.

Tanneries are thickly situated in this District. The finished and semi finished leather and other leather products have a good export market. 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 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 which is largest in South India, Vishalakshi 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 speciality type of black grapes which is specific to Dindigul.

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 looks very rich like silk sarees. But the cost is very low. Keeping these sarees like the silk sarees, it can be used for more years.

Dindigul locks

Iron-lock steel safes made in Dindugul are known for good quality and durability. The lock manufacturing in Dindugul is operated as a co-operative sector. Dindugal locks are sold to local, national and international markets.

Dindigul Princess of Hill Stations

Dindigul city is an important wholesale market for onion and groundnut. It has the network of inter-district roads connecting Coimbatore, Erode, Trichy, Karur, Madurai and Sivaganga District. Kodaikkanl a popular Summer Resort located at an altitude of 2133 meters in the Western Ghats is the “Princess of Hill Stations”. Peranai and Sirumalai are the two fine picnic spots of this district. There are four dams Viz, Palar Porandalar, Varathamanathi, Pabap Palar in Palani Taluk and Maruthanathi in Dindigul Taluk augment irrigation facilities to agricultural fields in this district. Nilakkottai town is famous for Brass Vessels, Jewellery and also famous for the growing and marketing of flowers and Grapes. Ottanschatram is a noted market centre for vegetables. It is also famous for the export of butter, manufactured in the nearby villages using cream separators. Batlagundu is an important market centre for tomato. Pattiveeranpatti in Vathalagundu Block is famous for Cardamom and Coffee enterprises. In past periods, Dindigul was famous for locks and leather goods in past limes.

Tobacco

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

Y.M.R Patty

This is the center part of Dindigul. Bus stand, Schools, Court and other Govt offices are very nearby to this place.

Round Road

Place for Jogging and Walking in the early morning

Education

Educationally, Dindigul is a well developed and popular city. It has got many Higher Secondary Schools to its credit. St.Marry’s Higher Secondary School, a well disciplined Institution is one of the oldest institutions in this city.

Again MSP higher secondary school is the very famous school.It is famous for its training process.It provides good culture for the student dynasty.Not only education they also provide best sports activities for the interested students.The schools slogan is "pride due to My school and Made pride to My school" .Let know more about the school in wikipedia itself.

This district has the credit of having Universities like Mother Theresa University for Women at Kodaikanal, Gandhigram Rural Deemed University at Gandhigram, and Anna University Dindigul Campus. Also a number of Engineering Colleges, Arts & Science Colleges, Polytechnics, ITIs are available through-out the district.

Business

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 famous throughout India. More than 1000 families are engaged in this industry.

Places to Visit

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 This is an ancient temple of Sri Sendraya Perumal situated in a hill near old Batlagundu. Mr Kannan is a priest in this temple. He is involved in developmental activities like Anna Thaanam (To provide free meals) in the temple. The people of all faiths and religions visit this temple.

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 kms 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 kiometres 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).

Dindigul - 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.

Dindigul - Nagal Nagar perumal Temple - This is a Vishnu temple which is in Nagal nagar near the Railway station.

Tourism

Dindigul Rock Fort

It is very famous 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

Kodaikanal is the famous tourist place which was located (Dindigul District) 100 km from dindigul and 135 km from madurai. This was good place to visit in summer. see also Kodaikanal

Palani

Palani is famous Temple in India. It is located in palani Hills. This temple was build at top of the mountain. It is the holy place for Hindu. Here Lord Murugan was standing. It was 60 km from Dindigul. See also Palani

Vedasandur

vedasandur is one of the taluka in dindigul , vedasandur is a small town , many villages are here ,usilampatti,alagapuri , vanikarai,kovilur,eriyod,vadamadurai & many small villages are here notably Kasipalayam-Dindigul is in vedasandur ,

Vadamadurai

vadamadurai is a panchayat under vedasandur taluk, 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 .

Sirumalai

Sirumalai hill is very famous hill near to Dindigul city located just 24 km from Dindigul. Travel Direction: Start your journey towards Natham from Dindigul. Sirumalai hill is very famous for its bananas(known as siru'malai' vaalaipalam). Sirumalai hill's bananas is exported to Foreign countries from past. Another important thing to be noted is many rare herbs are available in Sirumali hill. Hence, Sirumalai hill is very popular among the Sidha medical practitioners.

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 treking and for other fun activities. The Hill has totally 20 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.

Falls

Ayyanar Falls

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.

Dindigul Briyani

Dindigul Briyani is very famous in all over South India and also called Briyani City Briyani prepared in Dindigul uses a small rice called seeraga samba and with special ingredients. Especially Venu and Thalapakatti Briyani are very famous and its a trademark to dindigul. They use the same traditional authentic taste of South Indian Food. It is uniquely made by home made masala. They never use instant ingredients to the Briyani and it is easily digestive even for senior citizens.

Famous Briyani Hotels

• Venu Briyani Hotel (Near South Arcot Road)
• Aachis (Near Main Busstand)
• Ponram Hotel (All over the town)
• Thalapakkati Biriyani
• Taj Briyani Hotel
• Siva Briyani Hotel
• Set Poratta Kadai (Near Fire Station)
• Bangaru Briyani
• Kozhi Nadar Hotel (Palani Road)
• Thulasi Briyani Hotel (Nagal Nagar)

Veg Hotels

• Balaji Bhavan
• Meenakshi Bhavan
• Saravana Bhavan
• New Ariya Bhavan
• Maha Jyothi

Hospitals

Famous Hospitals

• City Hospital (Trichy Road)
• Raja Rajeswari Nursing Home (Near Dindigul Bus Stand)
• St. Joseph Hospital (Trichy Road)
• Government Hospital (Trichy Road)
• Bharathi Nursing Home (Near NVGB Theatre)
• Anbu Hospital (Near Bus Stand)

Famous Doctors

• Dr.Saravanan (Heart Specialist)
• Dr.Ramachandran (Child Specialist)
• Dr.Rajan (Dental Specialist)
• Dr.Arul Durai Arasu (Bone Specialist)
• Dr.Kamala (Gynecologist)
• Dr.Vasanthan (ENT Specialist)
• Dr.Ramanathan
• Dr Nagarajan (Skin Specialist)
• Dr.Rajaram
• Dr.Anandhan
• Dr.Perumal (EYE Specialist)

Computer Academy

There are different Computer Institutes in Dindigul which provide IT and IT related training for the students with much care about their career. The different institutes include

• CSC
• CADD center
• CADD CAE
• Appollo
• SIS - Sai Innovative Solutions(SIS) prime goals is to groom IT professionals and see them hold key positions in top organisations in India and abroad. All Sai Innovative Solutions courses are therefore, so designed that they would enable students to handle career opportunities with confidence and enthusiasm. *A Wish! A Hope! A Dream!=SIS

Entertainment

The sole entertainment mean for the residence of Dindigul is the theaters which are present in the city.other than that bazaar is a superb place that you can enjoy in th eve times. There were few parks like kumaran park which has reached near fatality due to its ill maintenance.most of the time there will be some expo's in the heart of the city. varatharaj complex located at the heart of the city is growing like a spencer plaza where you can do your whole shopping.

The theaters in Dindigul are:

• Rajendra - Uma Complex Official Site
• Reliance BIG cinemas ( Formerly Naga - Lakshmi)
• Aarthi - Siva Complex
• Ganesh
• Vijay
• Solaihall
• NVGB
• Central (Baji Mahal)
• Sakthi Talkies
• Abirami

Sports

Football is a popular sport in Dindigul, and many professional 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.and also St.Mary's Hr.Sec.School has a sports hostel.one children's park is there near by the rock fort.

Hockey also another popular sports in Dindigul.Mr.GURU,WAHID,VICTOR,PON ANBARASU,ZAKRIYA,JAMES-Spectacular players both District and State Level.

Cricket is one of the popular sports in Dindigul. R.Suthesh from Palani he is representing for Tamilnadu Ranchi cricket team and also he is selected for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL-2.

Pilgrim centre

There are many temples in and around the city. There is a samadhi, for Siddha Purusha called Odha Samiyar. The number and significance of the temples in the area mean that Dindigul is a major destination for many pilgrims.

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 with in 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. In Mariamman temple Lordess Mariamman is giving blessings and by which the devotees get solvation for their problems. During the Months of January to February(Tamil Month Masi), famous Mariamman festival(Masi Perunthiruvizha) is celebrated in this temple. Lakh and lakh of people come and participate in this function from various parts of Tamil Nadu. Hence, the people come to Dindigul may plan to visit such holy temples also. There is another famous 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 town 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]http://thedindigulonline.com/devotional-places-dindigul.html" 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. On December-2009, a temple for Sai Baba is also opened in the town.

Travel & connections

Dindigul town is well connected by both rail and road.Its connected to all important towns of the state by road and easily accessible. Dindigul is en-route NH-7 which is considered to be the important NH in India.Also it was connected with NH-45 and NH-209. Dindigul bus stand is called as Kamarajar Bus stand. It was named so to honour Tamil Nadu's then CM kamarajar. There are direct buses plying to Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Theni, Karur, Palani, Pollachi, Coimabtore, Erode, Bangalore,Villupuram,Karaikudi,Tirunelveli,Tuticorin,Selam,Tiruppur,Kadalur.

Dindigul railway station is a major Junction located in Southern Railway's Madurai Division. Dindigul Junctionn has connections to Madurai Junction in south, Karur Junction in North, Trichy Junction in East. Connection to Pollachi Junction in west is under renovation as gauge replacement work is going on.

The nearest airport is Madurai airport and the nearest international airport is in Chennai and in Trichy (for few).

Politics

Dindigul assembly constituency is part of Dindigul (Lok Sabha constituency).

University

• Gandhigram Rural University(GRU) Gandhigram Official Site
• Mother Theresa University for Women at Kodaikanal
• Anna University - Dindigul Campus Official Site

Schools

• MSP Solai Nadar Boys Higher Secondary School (State Board Syllabus)
• Soundara Raja Vidyalaya (SRV), Natham Road, Dindigul.(CBSE Syllabus)
• St.Mary's Boys higher Secondary School (State Board Syllabus)
• Govt.Hr.sec.School(Gandhi School)
• Shri Gurumuki vidhyasshram(CBSE SCHOOL)
• Seventh Day Matric Higher Secondary School (SDAMHSS), Natham Road, Dindigul. (Matric Syllabus)
• SMBM School (Matric Syllabus)
• St.Joseph's Girls Higher Secondary School (State Board Syllabus)
• St. Patrick Matriculation School
• Arul Jothi Vallalar Boys School, Natham Road, Dindigul.
• IIPE Higher Secondary School
• Akshaya Vidyala School (CBSE Syllabus)
• Maharishi Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School, Bala Mandir School, Seelapadi.

To View All School Details Briefly Click Here

Govt kallar higher sec.school,chennamanayakkan patti.

Colleges

• PSNA College of Engineering & Technology (Palani Road) Official Site
• RVS College of Engineering & Technology (Karur Road)
• NPR Group of Colleges,(Natham){http://www.nprcolleges.org/)
• GTN 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

Training and Study Centers

• SriRam Institute of Education, Dindigul
• Amman College of Education
• K. Nanjappa Gownder College of Education
• Cauvery Ammal Campus
• Angingu Teacher Training Institute, Dindigul
• KR Teacher Training Institute for Women, Dindigul
• JK Teacher Training Institute, Dindigul
• Sancta Fatima Teacher Training Institute, Dindigul
• Our lady Dolours Teacher Training Institute, Dindigul
• KVK College of Education, Chettynaickanpatty
• Lakshmi College of Education
• Meenakshi B.Ed. College Mangaraipirivu
• Natham PR College of Education
• Peace College of Education, Sukkampatty
• Pennial Rural College of Education Vemparali
• R.V.S.College of EducationSakthi Institute for Teacher Education and Research
• Sri Raghavendra College of Education, K. Singarakottai
• Vel College of Education Palani
• Mother Teresa College of Education New Ayakudi, Palani

Hotels & Restaurant

• Parsons Hotel, Near Bus Stand.(3 Stared)
• Hotel Swagath (With Swimming Pool), Near Bus Stand.
• Hotel Anand, Near Bus Stand
• Hotel Suganya, Near Bus Stand
• Hotel Maha Jothi, Near Bus Stand
• Prakash Lodge, Near Bus Stand
• Venkateshwara Lodge, Near Bus Stand
• Dolphin Lodge, Palani Road

External links

• Know More About our City - thedindigul.com
• Information about Dindigul - thedindigulonline.com