DINDIGUL
Name Derived : From The Words "Tintu Kal" Meaning Pillow Rock
Contains : Large-Scale Cotton Spinning And Weaving Mills, Handicraft Industries As Silk Weaving And Jewellery And Cigar Manufacturing Units
Places Of Worship : Sri Kottai Mariamman Koil, Sri Kaalakatheeswarar Temple, St. Antony's Church, St. Joseph Church
Situated between the Palani and Sirumalai hills in Dindigul district, Dindigul is a road transport hub. Its name is derived from the words "Tintu Kal" meaning pillow rock, refers to the bare hill dominating the city. The fortress built on the hill during the Vijayanagar era (1336-1565) was used in Hindu, Muslim and British wars from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The contemporary city contains large-scale cotton spinning and weaving mills, handicraft industries as silk weaving and jewellery and cigar manufacturing units.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Places Of Worship: -
Sri Kottai Mariamman Koil
Sri Kottai Mariamman Koil is more than 200 years old. The Mariamman idol
was installed by the army men of Tipu Sultan at the fort of the mountain.
Hence it is called "Kottai (Fort) Mariamman temple". The temple
is square shaped and within the temple there is a temple for Vetri
Vinayaka at the south and a temple for Lord Muruga at the north. There is
a Mandapam (Hall) in the center of the ground in which there is a
sculpture of a Lion facing the Sannidhi. The Sanctum Sanctorum is small
and square shaped. The deity consecrated ("Moolavar") is seen
here, embedded deeply under the floor.
There are several sculptures on the sniper structure over the Sanctum
Sanctorum, depicting various incarnations of the Goddess Mariamman. On all
the four sides, various scenes showing the destroying of the monster by
the Goddess are seen. On the eastern side over the Amman Sannidhi is a
temple for Vinayaka and on the western side a temple for Madurai Veeran.
On the front side of the Sannidhi the Navagraha idols are installed. On
the backside of the temple, there is an idol of Kaalhi and another one for
Goddess Durga. The golden shield adorns the deity every day between 5.00
p.m to 9.00 p.m. A Board of Trustees runs the temple.
Sri Kaalakatheeswarar Temple
Even though the Kaalakatheeswarar (also spelt as Kaalakatheeshwar) temple
is very old, it came into limelight during the period of Thirumalai
Naicker, who renovated several temples in and around Madurai. God
Kaalakatheeswarar and Goddess Gnanambika are the presiding deities here.
It is a practice to bring the idols of Abhirama Devi and Padmagirinagar
from the above mountain to this temple and celebrate the Festival of
Brahmasaram in the month of Chithirai (April). The Mandapam used for this
purpose has been later embellished and the deities Kaalakatheewarar and
Gnanambikai were installed and consecrated during the 14th century.
St. Antony's Church
Thomas Fernando constructed St. Antony's church during the period
1982-1989.An important ceremony of this church is held annually, which
starts on the last Friday of January and continues for 15 days.
St. Joseph Church
The British constructed St. Joseph church 100 years ago. The construction
of this church was started in 1866 and completed in the year 1872. This
church is the head church for all other churches in Dindigul District.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is at Trichy, located at a
distance of 93-km.
Rail: Dindigul has a railway station and is well connected by rail
with Palani, Trichy,
Kodaikanal and other towns
and cities within and beyond the state.
Road: Dindigul is well connected by road with the important places
within and beyond the state. For local transportation taxis, auto
rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the moderate class and small budgeted hotels and lodges in Dindigul.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Festivals At Sri Kottai Mariamman Koil
Starting on the 5th day after the New Moon day, the great festival of
Masi is celebrated for 10 days every year. There are other festivals in
all the 12 months of the year. The devotees come here and worship to get
cured of several diseases like Eye disease, Small Pox etc. The devotees
perform several duties like taking Agni Chatti (Fire Pot), Milk Pot,
Mulzaippari procession, Maavu Vilakku etc. Nearly 10 lakh people visit the
temple during the festive days.
Festival Of Brahmasaram At Sri Kaalakatheeswarar Temple
It is a practice to bring the idols of Abhirama Devi and Padmagirinagar
from the above mountain to Sri Kaalakatheeswarar temple and celebrate the
Festival of Brahmasaram in the month of Chithirai (April). This festival
also draws huge crowds.
HOSPITALS
The Government hospital is located near the bus stand. The Raja Rajeswari hospital is at a walk able distance from the bus stand. The Punidha Adhithanar hospital is on the way to Nehruji nagar. St. Joseph Hospital (Kattaspithry)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 14-sq- kms
Population: 2,14,586 (1991 Census)
Latitude: N10° 9 ' to 10o 48'
Longitude: E 77o 16' to 78o 20'
Clothing: Light Cottons
Languages Spoken: Tamil and English
STD Code: 0451
Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C):
Summer- Max 37.9ºC, Min 26.8ºC
Winter- Max 31.5ºC, Min 20.8ºC
Rainfall: 899 mm
NEARBY CITIES
Chennai
- 389-km
Coimbatore - 132-km
Erode - 113-km
Karur - 68-km
Kodaikkanal - 135- km
Madurai - 143-km
Palani - 52-km
Tiruchchirapalli - 93-km
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