Dindigul

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 do speak English.

By plane

The nearest airports are at Madurai (Madurai Airport - 1.5 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 kilometres from Chennai.
Kodaikanal road station is approximately 22 kilometres from Dindigul Junction

By road

Dindigul is on the NH7 highway from Chennai to Madurai.

• Dindigul FortThis 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 ResortThis 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, which is recently renovated, 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 InstituteEstablished in 1956 under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 of the Government of India, 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 TempleThis 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

  phone: +91 451-2402086
  This is a famous mosque in Begambur and is around 200-300 years old.

• Sri Kottai Mariamman KovilThis 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

  phone: +91 4543-227572
  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 birthplace 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 7:30AM- 11:30AM. 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 TempleIn 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).

• Athoor: Kamarajar LakeThe Kamarajar Lake is situated in the western part of Athoor Village located in the Kamarajar Valley in Western Ghats. There are places to stay near the lake. They are 'Candle House Resort' a family home stay, 'Double Dutch Resort' and 'Cardamom House' located in the border of Athoor Kamarajar Lake. Athur is a village 3 km west of Sempatti in between Dindigul and Batlagundu. Sembatti is 12 km south-west of Dindigul and 48 km north of Madurai. The Kodaganar River, a tributary of river Kaveri runs through the village. There is a cave temple here for Lord Sadayandi, another ancient Kasi Viswanatha temple and a 50 year old beautiful catholic church.

• St.Joseph Church

  phone: +91 451-2423557
  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 TempleThis is a Vishnu temple which is in Nagal nagar near the Railway station.

• Soundararaja Perumal Temple - VadamaduraiOn the busy Dindigul – Trichy National Highway, at about 18 km from Dindigul, a road branches out in the right side. Vadamudarai is the name of the village, where the famous Soundararaja Perumal Temple is situated. The famous temple is situated at the heart of the small village. The Temple is recently renovated and has separate sanctum sanctorum for Perumal and Soundaravalli Thayar, Chakkarathalvar, Lakshmi Narasimar, Baktha Anjaneyar, Andal, Vishvaksena and Garuda are the other deities to be worshiped in the temple.

• VedasandurVedasandur is located 20 km from Dindigul (on South), 75 km From Madurai(on South), 60 km from Karur (on North), 85 km fromTrichy (on East,and 45 km to Palani (on West). This was a place where hunters used to sell their goods in the olden days - Vedasandur means "Hunter's open market". The Kudakanar river, a tributary of Cauvery river goes through the centre of town. Another attraction is a very tall 51 feet idol of Lord Anjaneyar in the temple that is situated in the campus of Seethamaram Nalroad -(ARR Engineering India (P) Ltd. There are many other places of worship and also a tobacco research center in this town.

• 7 Dollar church

  address: Mettupatti
  A famous Mother Mary Church. Got to visit during the Christmas celebration. Also famous for the thursday Infant Jesus Fellowship. A very famous Paska (passover) is celebrated for three days by the entire area.

• The travelers 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.

• 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
• Brass Vessels and Jewellery can be bought in Nilakottai
• Cardamom and Coffee are famous in Pattiveeranpatti near Batlagundu
• saree are famous in chinnalapati.

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 BriyaniThe most popular restaurant that serves this unique dish

• ThalappakattiEqually famous and has a longer history

• Koli NadarA 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

  phone: +91 451-2433349
  address: 36 A , Koil Street

• Hotel Rajendra

  phone: +91 451-2433947
  address: 174/G Main road, Dindigul-624001

• Hotel Malajyothy

  phone: +91 451-2434316
  address: 1111/1B-17 , Spencer Compund

• Hotel Parvathy's Pvt Ltd.

  phone: +91 451-2435426
  address: 14, Koil St

• Hotel Padma Pvt Ltd

  phone: +91 451-2430541
  address: Trichy road, Dindigul-624007

• Hotel Wales Park

  phone: +91 451-242-0943
  address: 49A, Dindigul-624003

• Hotel Suganya A/C with lodge

  phone: +91 451-2429675
  address: 43, 2 Dindigul-2

• Dhalphin Hotels

  phone: +91 451-2433463
  address: 14 Chatram street, Dindigul-3

• Hotel Aruna

  phone: +91 451-2433463
  address: 259 Main Rd

• Hotel Gomath Towers

  phone: +91 451-2430042

• Hotel Senthil Residency

  phone: +91 451-6451331

• Hotel Parsons Court

  phone: +91 451-6451111

• The Dindigul Parvathy Natarajan Hotel

  phone: +91 451-2433349
  address: Dindigul-624001

• dolphin bar most cheapest bar
• Mr.soda famous among the youngsters in Dindigul

There are many lodging options in Dindigul. Visitors to Dindigul district can stay in Hotels in Dindigul and Dindigul district. Request travelers to add more details who stay here.

Budget

• Kurunji Hotel

  address: 4 Spencer Compound, Near Bus Stand

• Rockfort Palace

  address: 132A, Madurai Road, Begampur

• Venkateswar Lodge

  phone: +91 451-2425881
  address: Scheme Road, New Bus stand, Y M R Patty

• Gomath Lodge

  phone: +91 451-2430042
  address: 56, Pensioner St

• Pandiyarajan K S Prop Pandiyan Lodge

  phone: +91 451-2430013
  address: 11, Koil St

• Ziauddin Ahmed K A The Lodge liberty

  phone: +91 451-2431988
  address: 13, New Agraharam

• Corner Lodge

  phone: +91 451-2422228
  address: 132, Railway Station Rd
  located near employment office or KPN Parcel office

Mid-range

• Parsons Court

  address: 85, Mengles Rd

• Double Dutch resort, Athoor, Dindigul district

  phone: +91 4543-294499, +91 9443828742
  address: Athoor Village
  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.

Splurge

• Wild Rock Hill House, Sirumalai Hills, Dindigul

  phone: +91 451-2470454
  address: Sirumalai Hills
  Go on a Picnic or plan a getaway with your extended family.
  Go Mountaineering, trekking, Hiking or bird watching.
  Visit the recently renovated Vellimalai temple
  Visit the Sanjeevi Hills, a storehouse of herbs, considered to be a part of Hanuman's Sanjeevani Hills. USP - Heights of Delight-

• Lakeside

  phone: +91 451-3202817, +91 9894563935
  address: Athoor post
  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. Go Cycling in the hills, swim and fish in the lake, go on nature trails and do bird watching.
  Visit the village and do a craft tour watching the potters, weavers and workers at the coir factory at work.

It is advisable to visit the village temples in the morning (before 11AM) as the temples usually will be closed later.
The roads in and around the villages may be narrow and drivers are required to be careful here.

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