Dindigul District is one of the administrative districts of Tamil Nadu and is situated in the western part. It was carved out of Madurai District in 1985. It is well connected by road and rail and airways. Administration of Dindigul District comprises of three Revenue Divisions, eight taluks and 14 Panchayat Unions, According to 2001 Census, total population of Dindigul District is 19,23,014 with a literacy rate of 69.83 percent. Madurai Airport is located at a distance of 45 kms from Dindigul town.
Location of Dindigul District
Dindigul District is located between 10 degree 5 minutes and 10 degree 9 minutes north latitude and 77 degree 30 minutes and 78 degree 20 minutes east longitude. Dindigul District is bounded by Erode District, Coimbatore District, Karur District and Trichy district on the north, by Shivaganga and Tiruchi District on the east, by Madurai district on the south and by Theni District and Coimbatore Districts and by the state of Kerala on the west. It is spread over on area of 6266.64 sq kms.s
History of Dindigul District
Dindigul District, which was under the rule of the famous Muslim Monarch, Tipu Sultan, has a glorious past. In the past, Dindigul used to fringe the three great realm of South India namely Pandyas, the Cheras and the Cholas.It was under the rule of the famous ruler, Tipu Sultan. The famous Naik King Muthukrishnappa Naicker constructed the historical Rock Fort of this district. The historical Rock Fort of this district was constructed by the famous Naik King Muthukrishnappa Naicker. Dindigul District was carved out of the composite Madurai District on 15th of September, 1985. Dindigul District had the names of Dindigul Anna, Quaid-e-Milleth and Mannar Thirumalai.
Geography of Dindigul District
Dindigul District receives an average rainfall of 700 mm and the average temperature is relatively high varying from 26 degree Celsius to 38 degree Celsius. The main rivers of the district are Kodaganaru, Palar, Kuthiraiyar, Porandalar, Amravati, Manjalar, Varadhamanathi and Maruthanathi.
Economy of Dindigul District
Dindigul District has a flourishing economy well known for its iron locks, tobacco and handloom industry. The main occupation of the people living in the district is agriculture and the district has more than 200,000 hectare of cultivable area. Rice, pulses, sugarcane, groundnut, gingelly, cotton and millets are the main crops that are grown here. 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 popular is Leather Tanning. Dindigul District is having a flourishing handloom industry at Chinnalapatti.
Tourism in Dindigul District
There are several places of interest in Dindigul District. Palani hills with the famous temple of Lord Muruga Dhandayuthapani Temple, Begampur Mosque, Sirumalai Hill resort, Parapalar Dam, Varathamanathi dam, Mariamman temple and Nadupatti Anjaneyar temple are places of tourist interest in the district. The famous Kodaikanal Hill Station is also located in Dindigul District. An attraction of this hill station is the Kurinji flowers that bloom once in twelve years. The reserved forest area of the district consists of 84, 565 hectares, which is rich in flora and fauna like Seehakai, Nellikai, Bluegum and Pine and Gaur, Nilgiri langur, panther, barking deer respectively. Peranai and Sirumalai are the two fine picnic spots of this district. There are nine dams namely Palar Porundalar, Varathamanathi, Kuthiraiaru in Palani Block, Parappalar and Nanganchiar in Oddanchatram Block, Maruthanathi, Kamarajar Sagar in Athoor Block, Mavoor in Nilakottai Block, Kudaganar in Vedasandur Block supplement irrigation facilities to agricultural fields in this district. Nilakkottai town is famous for Brass Vessels and Jewellery. Nilakottai Taluk is famous for the growing and marketing of flowers and Grapes.
Dindigul District has two major universities, Mother Teresa Women`s University at Kodaikanal and Gandhigram Rural Deemed University at Gandhigram.
