History of Dindigul
Dindigul is a city and district headquarters in Tamil Nadu state of southern India was carved out of the composite Madurai District on 15.9.1985 and the first District Collector was Thiru.M.Madhavan Nambiar, I.A.S. Dindigul District had the names of Dindigul Anna , Quaid-e-Milleth and Mannar Thirumalai.
Dindigul, which was under the rule of the famous Muslim Monarch, Tippusultan, has a glorious past. 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.
Dindigul district is the 11th-largest urban agglomeration based on the 2011 census in Tamil Nadu. The name Dindigul comes from a 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. There is a reserved forest area of 85 hectares rich in flora and fauna. Particularly, the Kurinji flowers found on the rolling green hills of lower Palani range, which bloom once in 12 years, are well known
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, According to 2001 Census, its population is 19,23,014
For a long time, Dindigul town has been associated with Iron locks, Iron safe of good quality and durability. A lock manufacturing unit under co-operative sector is functioning here. Another industry for which Dindigul is noted is Leather Tanning.
Dindigul city is also an important wholesale market for Onion and Groundnut has the network of inter-district roads connecting Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruchi, Karur, Madurai and Sivaganga District.
Handloom industry in Dindigul
This district is having a flourishing handloom industry at Chinnalapatti, which is located at 11 Kms away from Dindigul on the Madurai-Dindigul road. Art –Silk saris and Sungudi saris produced in Chinnalapatti are famous through out India. More than 1000 families are engaged in this Industry.
Education in Dindigul
Educationally, Dindigul is a well developed and popular city. It has got many High and 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. This district has the credit of having two Universities, viz, Mother Theresa University for Women at Kodaikanal and Gandhigram Rural Deemed University at Gandhigram. Also a number of Engineering Colleges, Arts & Science Colleges, Polytechnics, ITIs, Typewriting Institutes are available through-out the district.
Pilgrim Spot in Dindigul
This district is privileged to have one of the “Six Celebrated Hill Abodes of “Lord Muruga” at Palani Hills, where the famous Dhandayuthapani Temple is situated on the hilly rock at a height of about 450 mts.
Hill Station in Dindigul
Kodaikanal, a popular Summer Resort, located at an altitude of 2133 meters in the Western Ghats is the “Princess of Hill Stations”. A notable feature of this Hillock is “Kurunji” flowers blooming once in 12 years . Next blooming in the year 2018.
Dams in Dindigul
Dams Near Dindigul are Dharmathupatti Dam, Kamarajar Dam, Manjalar Dam, Marudhanadhi, Pannapatti, Parapalar Dam, Palar- Porandalar Dam, Varadamanadhi Dam, Alagapuri Dam, Peranai and Kuthiraiyar Dam
Dindigul Taluks
- The Dindigul district of has 8 taluks
- Dindigul
- Palani
- Athoor
- Kodaikanal
- Oddanchatram
- Vedasandur
- Nattam
- Nilakkottai