Dindigul District, Tamil nadu
District Headquarter: Dindigul
Distance: Around 395 km from Chennai, 402 km from Bangalore, 2071 km from Kolkata, 79 km from Tiruchchirappalli, 330 km from Thiruvananthapuram, 133 km from Thanjavur, 2441 km from Delhi, 301 km from Kanyakumari, 177 km from Salem, 942 km from Hyderabad, 275 km from Pondicherry, 3113 km from Guwahati, 56 km from Madurai, 563 km from Mangalore, 1378 km from Mumbai
Journey time: Around 9 hours by train or bus from Bangalore, around 7.5 hrs from Chennai
How to reach there: By Train – Tuticorin Exp and Nagarcoil Exp from Bangalore, by KSRTC bus, Tamil Nadu government bus, private bus and private vehicle. From Chennai by Tamil Nadu government bus (SETC), train and private bus.
Route:
From Bangalore: Bangalore – Hosur – Kathujuganapalli – Dharmapuri – Salem – Karur – Dindigul
From Chennai: Chennai – Maduranthakam – Villupuram – Perambalur – Tiruchirapalli – Dindigul
Where to stay:
1. Hotel Rockfort Palace
132A, Madurai Road, Begambur,
Dindigul, Tamilnadu, India – 624002
Ph: 0451-2400855 / 2400866
E-Mail: hotelrfp@rediffmail.com
Website: http://www.hotelrockfortpalace.com/
2. Parsons Court
Mengles Road, Nagal Nagar,
Dindgul. PIN – 624001.
TamilNadu, India.
Ph: 91-451-6451111 (5 lines), 91-451-2421575
Fax : 91-451-2420575
Mobile : 96777 02007
Email: parsonscourt@yahoo.co.in, parsonscourt@gmail.com
Website: http://www.parsonscourt.net.in/
Note: Little expensive – starts from Rs 1500
3. Hotel Malajyothi
1111/1B-17, Spencer compound,
Dindigul,
Ph: 0451-2434316
4. Kurunji Hotel
4, Spencer Compound,
Near Bus Stand,
Dindigul 624001
Where to eat:
1. Venu’s Briyani, Thalappakatti and Koli Nadar for special Dindigul briyani.
2. If you are like for south Indian darshini kind of restaurant then head for Arya Bhavan near bus stand or Ashok Bhavan on Main road.
Language spoken: Mainly Tamil. English and Hindi is understood to an extent.
Dindigul has a long history. It has been at the border of there famous south Indian kingdoms of Pandays, Cholas and Pallavs and it seen many wars between them. In the early 17th century the Nayakkar kings built the Dindigul fort. In 1736 the Marathas under Sanda Saheb conquered Dindigul. In 1742 the Mysore kingdom annexed Dindigul. In 1792 the British got control of Mysore after the send Anglo – Mysore war. Dindigul district was created as a separate district out of Madurai district in 1985.
What to See:
Places to visit in Dindigul district can be clustered into three groups:
Dindigul fort: Dindigul fort is the main icon of Dindigul town. The fort was built in the early 17th century by two Naicker kings Muthi Krishna Naicker and Thirumalai Naicker. It is located on top of a hill and has seen many bloody battles. Sri Kottai Mariamman Kovil is located inside the fort.
Sirumalai Hill Resort: Sirumalai located around 20 km from Dindigul town is a hill resort town. People like watching birds or taking pictures of birds then it is an ideal place. Also, it very nice scenery.
St.Joseph Church: This Roman Catholic church was built in the late 18th century and has a nice architecture.
Begambur Big Mosque: This mosque was built by Hyder Ali when he was posted there as governor of Dindigul.
You can also visit some other temples like Abirami amman temple, Nadupatti – Anjaneyar Temple and Thadikombu – Perumal Temple.
2. Kodaikanal: Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. For complete information on travel to Kodaikanal read my post on Kodaikanal Trip.
3. Palani: Palani is located around 60 km from Dindigul town and is famous from lord Murugan temple. One can also reach Palani from Madurai after travelling 112 km. To know more about Palani temple and Palani read my earlier post on Palani Murugan temple.
