Dindigul

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  ?Dindigul
Tamil Nadu • India
Map indicating the location of Dindigul
Thumbnail map of India with Tamil Nadu highlighted
Location of Dindigul
Coordinates: 10°21′N 77°57′E / 10.35, 77.95
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 268 m (879 ft)
District(s) Dindigul
Population 196,619 (2004)
Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• Vehicle
• 624001
• +91-(0)451
• TN 57

Coordinates: 10°21′N 77°57′E / 10.35, 77.95

Dindigul (Tamil: திண்டுக்கல்) is a City and municipality in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dindigul district.

Dindigul comes from the Portmanteau of Thindu meaning pillow and kal meaning Rock. It is also known as "The City of Locks and Tannery", is a fast growing tier-4 city in India. It is attracting a great deal of education sector investments. The city also has a large number of Textile Mills.

Contents

[edit] History

The History of Dindigul revolves around the Dindigul fort, as this was a position of great strategic importance with commanding views to passes into Madurai from the north side especially Coimbatore. Dindigul and the fort figured prominently in the military operations of the Marathas in the 17th and 18th centuries, and of Hyder Ali in 1755. It was captured by the British thrice in 1767, 1783 and 1790. It was restored to Hyder Ali under treaty after the first two captures ceded to the East India Company after the capture in 1799. The town has a sizeable population of both Muslims and Christians owing to the place being under the Army of Hyder Ali and the British subsequently.

[edit] Geography

Dindigul is located at 10.35° N 77.95° E.[1] It has an average elevation of 268 metres (879 feet). It is 130 km from Coimbatore.

[edit] Transport

[edit] Train

Dindigul is connected by Broad gauge railway to Erode and Tirunelveli via Karur, and by Metre gauge railway to Shoranur, Tiruchchirappalli and Rameswaram, the latter two scheduled for gauge conversion under Project Unigauge. [2] And in 2015 Airport at dindigul. The meeting is going on for Airport

[edit] Flight

The nearest airport is in Tiruchirapalli and Madurai. It takes 2 hours to reach Dindigul from Tiruchi and 1 hour to reach Dindigul from Madurai.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[3] 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.

[edit] Landmarks

  • Stjoseph Hosiptal - a 250 beds referral missionary Hospital. Well known as Kataspathri ( Literally meaning the Hospital in the mid of forest and this hospital started by scottland missionary.. so the scott hospital is pronounce as kataspathri)
  • Mariamman Kovil
  • Karur Road - MVM Nagar - Ganesh, Krishna (Perumal) and, Hanuman Temples
  • City Center - Bazaar Street
  • Palani Road - 108 Vinayagars
  • Trichy Road - Uzhavar Santhai, RC Bishop house(Thamaraipadi)
  • H.M Nagar - Rehman Sheriff
  • Round Road - Superindent of Police Banglow
  • Railway Station
  • Bus Stand
  • Main Road - St.Mary's and Dudley Higher Secondary School

[edit] Industries

Dindigul is known for its Leather Tanning Industry. Besides tanning, Textile spinning industry, which ranks second to Coimbatore in spindlage capacity.

The town has been long associated with the manufacture of iron locks, which is still a major industry. Chinnalapatti, which is located 11 kilometres from Dindigul on the Madurai-Dindigul Road is known for its flourishing hand loom industry. Art–Silk Sarees and sungudi produced in Chinnalapatti are famous throughout India by the name of chinnalapattu. More than 1000 families are engaged in this industry. Dindigul city is an important wholesale market for Onion and Groundnut (Peanut).

[edit] Dindigul Locks

Iron-lock steel safes made here are known for good quality and durability. A lock manufacturing unit under co-operative sector is functioning here. They are usually the padlock type where one has to wind or unwind the keys twice to lock or unlock, thus making it completely foolproof. These are marketed throughout the state and some are even exported to foreign countries.

[edit] Tobacco

Dindigul has been a the centre of a trade in tobacco and manufacture of Cigars, from the time of British rule.That time a company was there with name of "Light of Asia"...Winston Chruchill love this cigar.... Two large European cigar factories used to manufacture cigars to exported to England. Presently it has the largest trading centre in Tamil Nadu for chewing tobacco. Well-known brands of scented chewing tobacco Angu Vilas scented Tobacco and ROJA SUPARI are produced in this town and are sent to various places in the State and outside. This flourishing industry gives employment to a large number of people. Roja supari is a roasted, scented, flavoured betel nut manufactured by N.V.K.M SULTAN ROWTHER's family.

[edit] Leathers

The biggest leather party is K.A.R leathers. They account for 29% of leather supply in Tamilnadu[citation needed].

[edit] Chairman

Basheer Ahmad was chairman (DMK party) in Dindigul for two periods. He has been relpaced by Natarajan during the recent elections.

[edit] HOSPITALS

  • Kasthuriba Hospital,Gandhigram - Free treatment is provided to all patients.
  • GNANAMBIGAI CLINIC, Dr.S.Somasundaram,M.B.B.S., Ashok Nagar, DINDIGUL-1
  • Leonard Hospitals - Batlagundu
  • Raja Rajeswari Nursing Home - Thiruvalluvar Road
  • City Hospitals - Trichy Road
  • St. Joseph Hospitals - Trichy Road

[edit] Educational Institutions

The City has a sizable number of Educational institutions.

[edit] SCHOOLS

  • Kennedy Matriculation School[Near Railway Station]
  • [St.Mary's Higher Secondary School]http://en.ignatianwiki.org/St._Mary%27s_Higher_Secondary_School_(Dindigul)
  • Ziaudeen & Azharudden Primary School [DINS]
  • Om Shanthi Higher Secondary School [CBSE]
  • Soundararaja Vidyalaya [CBSE]
  • C.S.I.Dudley Higher Secondary School
  • Nehuruji Memorial Municipal Higher Secondary School
  • [1]St.Mary’s Higher Secondary School which is run by catholic missionaries] .
  • MSP Solai Nadar Memorial Higher Secondary school.
  • Arul Jothi Vallalar Higher secondary school
  • St.Josephs Girls Higher secondary School.
  • Annamalaiar Mills Girls Higher Secondary School
  • J.K.Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • SMBM Matriculation School
  • John Paul Higher Secondary School
  • Seventh-day Adventist Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • MV Muthiah Pillai Mariammal Girls Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Meenakshi Higher Secondary School
  • Shri Maharishi Vidya Mandir [CBSE]
  • Savithri Vidhyalaya Middle School
  • St.Chinnappar High School
  • St.Joseph's High School,West Arockiamatha street(Sebastin Pradeep)
  • Vidya Parthi Matric Higher Secondary School
  • KK Ayyanadar Matric Higher Secondary School
  • Lions matriculation School
  • Lourde's Nursery School
  • Sri Vasavi Middle School
  • Sri Vasavi Matriculation School
  • St.Antony's Higher Secondary School.
  • Thambi Thottam Higher secondary school, Gandhigram (S.Arockia viswanath, 1998-1999 batch)
  • N.S.V.V Schools (For Boys , Girls,matric,elimentry,child), Pattiveeranpatti
  • Saraswathi vidyalaya,(CBSE) treasuary road, DINDIGUL-1
  • Vasavi Metriculation higher secondary school, DINDIGUL-1

[edit] University and Colleges

[edit] Pilgrim centre

There are many temples in and around the city. The city is named after Thindima Asura (rakshasa) who was killed by the goddess Abhirami long ago. The rockfort is the symbol personifying the same. Said to be worshipped on the fort long ago, the goddesses sri Abhirami and sri Padmagiriswarar were brought down in 1786, in the rule of Tippoo Sultaun, when he issued a general order to destroy all Hindu temples in his dominions, excepting those of Mailcottah and Seringapatam. They were placed in the Sri Kalahasteeswarar Sri Gnanambikai temple in the centre of the city where they still reside. There is a temple for Sri Hanuman adjacent to the fort near the tank. There is a samadhi for one Siddha Purusha called Odha Samiyar behind the rock fort. He lived in Dindigul some 60 years ago and performed many miracles. Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharishi studied in the local Municipal School in his boyhood days. There is one more Sri Hanumar Temple on the banks of Gopala Samudram which was once a big tank and catchment area, near the bus stand. Near it there is one Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple in Chatram Street.

Sri Kottai Mariamman Temple is more than 200 years old. The Mariamman idol was installed by the soldiers of Hyder Ali at the foot of the mountain. The temple is constructed in the shape of a square. There is a temple for Vetri Vinayaka to the South & Lord Muruga at the North of this temple. There is a Mandapam Hall in the centre of the ground in which there is a sculpture of a Lion facing the Sannidhi. The Sanctum is small & square shaped. There are several sculpture on the sniper structure over the. Sanctum Sanctorum, depicting various incarnations of the goddess Mariamman. Sri Chella Mariamman Temple, A. B. Nagar which is 2 km from the city. Palani,where one of the Six abodes of Lord Muruga,Dhandayuthapani Temple is situated on the hilly rock at a height of about 450 mts. Th place is at about 56 km from the City. Another Murugan temple at Thirumalaikeni,is at 25 km away from Dindigul town . Abirami Amman temple in the town and Raja Kaliamman Temple at Thethupatti, 20 km away from Dindigul are the other important Temples which attracts many pilgrims. Sri Soundaraja perumal temple, well known for its Sculptures is at a village, Thadikombu, 8 km away from the city on the National Highway No.7.

Kasavai Mouna Nirvaana Swamighal Aaalayam (God of silence) Situated in Kasavanampatty Village, 14 KM west from Dindigul. It is very nearby the The Famous Western Ghats of India.

Also an important SIVAN TEMPLE name as OTHA SWAMIGAL MADAM situated 2 km from the town,south side of palani road on the way of Muthalagupatti, On every AMMAVASAI Annathanam will conducted by temple administators and local people.

[edit] SOUNDARARAJA PERUMAL KOIL - THADIKOMBU

This is the very important temple, 7 km from Dindigul to Karur NH 7 road. The temple is very famous for SORNA AGARSHA BAIRAVAR Boojai known as "Thei perai astami booja" in every month. Also it is famous for "CHAKARATHALWAR" and "HIAGREEWAR" which is worshiped specially for studying students.

Dindigul is known for its cigars and hand made locks and sirumalai plantains (mountain fruits). Till a decade ago, one Anguvilas - for scented chewing tobacco and one VaniVilas - for its coffee were famous landmarks in the city.

[edit] Begampur mosque

Hyder Ali constructed three Mosques - One for himself for Namaz, another for his soldiers below Rock Fort and a third one to the south of the Rock Fort for commoners and gave grants for the upkeep. In 1766 AD Hijri 1187, Ameer-un-Nisha Begum, the wife of Mir Riza Ali Khan, the Fort commander and the younger sister of Hyder Ali Bahadur, died here. She was buried in the Mosque compound with a Tomb was constructed on it. The southern part of Dindigul has hence the name Begampur and northern part is Hazrathpur. A sizeable population of Muslims also stay in this part of the City and is a major mosque in India.

[edit] St.Joseph Church

This church was constructed during 1866 to 1872 by the British after the fall of Tipu sultan. This church is headquarters of Dindigul diocese of Roman Catholic Churches in Dindigul District.

[edit] St.Antony's Shrine - Marambady

St. Anthony’s shrine is the one of the shrines which is very famous in India. St. Antony’s shrine is situated at Marambady. Marambady is a big village, which has its patron St.Anthony the Hermit. It is three hundred years old shrine. Every year 16,17&18th of January the feast day of St. Anthony the Hermit is celebrated grandly. About 2 lakhs people pay a visit only on those three days. It is the biggest shrine dedicated to St. Antony in India and abroad as well. People from other countries also visit this shirne and they experience miracles.

The uniqueness of the famous shirne is, people of other religions also come regularly. Even people belonging to other denominations also visit the shirne for intercession. Every one who belives in the intercession of St. Anthony the Hermit they are marvelously healed and blessed by the Holy Trinity.

It is one of the ancient parishes. People are religious minded and prayerful. All of them are very much fond of their patron. This village has 100% catholic population. 105 persons have responded to the call of the God almighty. There are 47 priests 58 nuns and about 32 seminarians and 20 aspirants for women congregation. This shirne is really proud to have a Bishop. His name is Most Rev.P. Antony and we cannot forget one of our former parish priests had become the Bishop of the diocese of Kottor. He was known as Bishop Aggni Samy. [http://www.stantony.com/

[edit] 108 Vinayagars(Nanmai Tharum Vinayagar)

This temple has 108 Vinayagar which is quite famous in the city. This is the only temple where 108 Vinayagars will give dharsan to baktas.

[edit] Places to visit

[edit] Rock Fort

The Dindigul Fort is one of the major landmarks of the city is visible from several kilometres. The fort has been constructed on a huge rock about 280 ft height and looks like Pillow ('Dhindu'),when viewed from south east gives the name to the city. In the year 1605 Madurai Nayak King 'Muthu Krishna Naicker' started the construction of this Fort. The fort was completed in stages during 1623 to 1659 by Mannar Thirumalai Naicker . 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, strengthened the walls and got repaired. In 1790 Tipu was defeated in the Mysore war and the Fort came into the hands of British.

Peranai and Sirumalai hills are the two fine picnic spots in the vicinity of the Town. There are four dams viz, Palar Porundalar, Varathamanathi, , Parappalar in Palani Taluk and Maruthanathi in Dindigul Taluk augment irrigation facilities to agricultural fields in this district. Nilakkottai town is famous for Brass Vessels and Jewellery. Nilakkottai Taluk is famous for the growing and marketing of flowers and Grapes. Oddanchatram 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 curing enterprises.

Kodaikanal, a popular Summer Resort, located at an altitude of 2133 meters in the Western Ghats is at about 100 km from the city.

Athoor: Kamarajar Lake - Places to stay: Double Dutch Resort and Cardamom House situated at the boarder of Athoor Kamarajar Lake in the Kamarajar Valley on the spurs of the Western Ghats, provides accommodation in elegantly furnished rooms.

Palani: Lord Muruga - The Lord Muruga idol is made of Navabashanam. The theertham of the temple has got medicinal benefits because of spiritual and medicinal benefits. Rope car and winch are available to reach the temple. During Thai Poosam, people used to come from various parts of the state by walk. Places to stay: Double Dutch Resort and Cardamom House situated at the boarder of Athoor Kamarajar Lake in the Kamarajar Valley on the spurs of the Western Ghats, provides accommodation in elegantly furnished rooms.

Anaipatti: Lord Anjaneyar is being worshipped in Anaipatti.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Dindigul
  2. ^ Railway Gazette International Supplement December 2007 p7
  3. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
Dindigul seen from the rock fort
Dindigul seen from the rock fort

[edit] External links

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Dindigul Block
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