Dindigul

Understand

Dindigul district was carved out of the composite Madurai District in 1985. It's surrounded by mountains. Travellers to the villages in this area are advised to pick up a few essential sentences in the local language Tamil as many people do not speak English.

Getting there

By plane The nearest airports are at Madurai (Madurai Airport, 1½ hours away) and Trichy (Trichy Airport. Dindigul city is approximately 60 km from Madurai.

By train Dindigul junction is on the main train route from Chennai-Madurai-Kanyakumari and is approximately 440 km from Chennai. Kodaikanal road station is approximately 22 km from Dindigul Junction

By road Dindigul is on the NH7 highway from Chennai to Madurai.

See

Dindigul 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 an economical Hill resort and a picnic spot for weary travellers. This is on the way to Natham 25 km from Dindigul city. This place is accessible from Madurai also. Though the uphill journey is for a brief time, the 18 hair-pin bends provide the real thrilling experience, characteristic of a trip to a hill station. The entire locale is green and lush and the climate is cool/warm. Sirumalai provides an opportunity to go on trekking and hiking. Beautiful scenic view of saathiyar river basin and Dindigul town delight the visitors. Vellimalai Temple is the famous destination for devotees. Sanjeevi Hills, famous in Indian Epic Ramayana is also in the vicinity. Bus service and private cabs are available from Dindigul city. Gandhigram Rural Institute. Established in 1956, Gandhigram Rural Institute was founded by two Gandhians; Dr.T.S.Soundaram and Dr.G.Ramachandran. They followed the Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Nai Talim’ system of education. Gandhigram Rural Institute has developed academic programmes in Rural Development, Rural Economics and Extension Education, Rural Oriented Sciences, Cooperation, Development Administration, Rural Sociology, English and Communicative Studies, Tamil and Indian Languages. The Gandhigram Rural Institute has a campus of nearly 200 acres in a rural setting, nestling in one of the enclaves of the beautiful Sirumalai range. To its west are chains of mountains including the beautiful Kodaikanal Hill Station. Lying North of Madurai, Gandhigram is easily accessible by rail and road. The climate of the place is pleasant all through the year and the panorama of nature surrounding Gandhigram is pleasing. The nearest railway station is 2 km away in Ambathurai, the nearest railway junction is 11 km away from Dindigul accessible by both broad gauge and meter gauge. The nearest major town is Dindigul. The nearest airport is Madurai which is approximately 65 km by road. Gandhigram is located south of Dindigul by about 12 km and north of Madurai city approximately by 55 km. Thadikombu - Perumal Temple. It 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, ☏ +91 451-2402086. This is a famous mosque in Begambur and is around 200-300 years old. Sri Kottai Mariamman Kovil. This is an ancient templ

Do

The travellers to this area can visit the various scenic spots near the rivers, dams and picnic spots. Trekking in Sirumalai, Kodaikanal Hills The devotees can visit many temples in the area near Batlagundu, and Dindigul. Dindigul is famous for locks, Biriyani and cigar.

Buy

Locks: Dindigul is known for good quality and durable iron-lock steel safes. Dindigul locks are sold to local, national, and international markets. Sarees: Silk sarees and Sungudi sarees can be bought here Brassvessels and jewellery can be bought in Nilakottai Cardamom and coffee are famous in Pattiveeranpatti near Batlagundu Saree are famous in Chinnalapati.

Eat

Dindigul is famous for its Briyani which is quite distinct from those in other parts of the country. The recipe is believed to have been passed on by an Iranian national. However, since then the recipe has become more localised.

Venu's Briyani. The most popular restaurant that serves this unique dish Thalappakatti. Equally famous and has a longer history Koli Nadar. A non-veg restaurant that offers a wide variety Bismilla A small hotel famous for its taste There are many budget restaurants that serve south Indian dishes in Dindigul city. Some of them are:

AryaBhavan, Bus Stand AshokBhavan, Main road Kurinji SaravanaBhavan, Bus Stand Sri Lakshmi Vilas Hotel, 36 A , Koil Street (Near Abirami Koil), ☏ +91 451-2433349. Hotel Rajendra, 174/G Main Road, ☏ +91 451-2433947. Hotel Malajyothy, 1111/1B-17 , Spencer Compound, ☏ +91 451-2434316. Hotel Parvathy's Pvt Ltd., 14, Koil St, ☏ +91 451-2435426. Hotel Padma Pvt Ltd, Trichy Road, ☏ +91 451-2430541. Hotel Wales Park, 49A, Dindigul-624003, ☏ +91 451-242-0943. Hotel Suganya A/C with lodge, 43, 2 Dindigul-2 (near Bus stand), ☏ +91 451-2429675. Dhalphin Hotels, 14 Chatram street, Dindigul-3 (Near Periyar Statue), ☏ +91 451-2433463. Hotel Aruna, 259 Main Rd (Near Periyar Statue), ☏ +91 451-2433463. Hotel Gomath Towers, ☏ +91 451-2430042. Hotel Senthil Residency, ☏ +91 451-6451331. Hotel Parsons Court, ☏ +91 451-6451111. The Dindigul Parvathy Natarajan Hotel, Dindigul-624001, ☏ +91 451-2433349.

Drink & nightlife

Dolphin Bar cheapest bar Mr. Soda famous among the youngsters in Dindigul

Sleep

There are many lodging options in Dindigul. Visitors to Dindigul district can stay in hotels in Dindigul and Dindigul district.

Budget Kurunji Hotel, 4 Spencer Compound, near bus stand. ₹400-800. Rockfort Palace, 132A, Madurai Road, Begampur. ₹400-1000. Venkateswar Lodge, Scheme Road, New Bus stand, Y M R Patty, ☏ +91 451-2425881. Gomath Lodge, 56, Pensioner St, ☏ +91 451-2430042. Pandiyarajan K S Prop Pandiyan Lodge, 11, Koil St, ☏ +91 451-2430013. Ziauddin Ahmed K A The Lodge liberty, 13, New Agraharam, ☏ +91 451-2431988. Corner Lodge, 132, Railway Station Rd (Railway station road), ☏ +91 451-2422228. Near employment office or KPN Parcel office. ₹100-150.

Mid-range Parsons Court, 85, Mengles Rd. ₹1600-2000. Double Dutch resort, Athoor, Dindigul district, Athoor Village (the resort is 25 km from Dindigul, 55 km from Palani, 65 km from Kodiakanal and 90 km from Madurai. Drive up to Sembatti crossing and turn into Athoor village and follow the sign boards), ☏ +91 4543-294499, +91 9443828742. Take a walk up to the water-fall or the cave temple, or along the rice fields, peanut gardens and coffee estates, and in the cocnut and palm groves. Go bird watching or trekking. Take motorbike rides and experience a slice of Indian village life or visit the rural market. Swim in the lake or take a coracle ride. The religious minded can visit the ancient temples like Sendaraya Perumal temple in Batlagundu town which is near, Kasi Visalakshi Viswanathar temple in Kunnuvarankottai. Visit Kodaikanal hills and Sirumalai. USP - Pastoral Bliss. Budget rooms - ₹1500, Economy rooms at ₹1800, Deluxe rooms at ₹2500 (incl. tax). Food charges extra.

Splurge Wild Rock Hill House, Sirumalai Hills, Dindigul, Sirumalai Hills (Sirumalai is on the way to Natham 25 km from Dindigul City and 90 km from Madurai), ☏ +91 451-2470454. Go on a picnic or plan a getaway with your extended family. Go mountaineering, trekking, hiking or bird watching. Visit the renovated Vellimalai temple. Visit the Sanjeevi Hills, a storehouse of herbs, considered to be a part of Hanuman's Sanjeevani Hills. ₹5000 for a Single room and ₹20000 for Bungalow rental. food charges extra.. Lakeside (Kamarajar Lake), Athoor post (from Sembatti Crossing, take the Palani road and turn left to reach Athoor village. Follow the signposts of the resort thereafter.), ☏ +91 451-3202817, +91 9894563935. Lakeside is 7 km from Athoor Village. Athoor is 25 km south of Dindigul, 66 km north of Madurai and 120 km South-west of Tiruchirapalli. This place is an escapade and a place for relaxation. G

Go next

The travelers can go to places like Madurai, Trichy, Munnar, Kodaikanal, Palani from here