Dindigul District
Encyclopedia
Dindigul District is an administrative region in the south of Tamil Nadu
, India
. The district was carved out of Madurai District
in the year 1985. The district is famous for its lock and tannery
industries.
and Karur
districts, on the east by Tiruchirappalli District
, on the southeast and south by Madurai District, on the southeast by Theni District
, and on the west by the state of Kerala
and Tiruppur District.
The Palani
and Kodaikanal
taluks are famous tourist regions in South India. These taluks are cooler compared to other regions of Tamil Nadu.
Dindigul District has many waterfalls including Anju Veedu, Bamen Falls, Bear Shola Falls, Fairy Falls, Gaur Vellaiyan, Glen Falls, Kumbakkarai Falls, Kuthiraiyar Falls, Kutladampatti falls, Neptune Falls, Palar Falls, Pambar Falls, Poombarai Falls, Silver Cascade, Skamba Falls, Snake Falls, Thakkam thootam falls, Thalaiyar Falls (Rat tail) & Thoovanam falls.
named Dindigul one of the country's 250 most backward districts
(out of a total of 640
). It is one of the six districts in Tamil Nadu currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Dindigul district has a population
of 2,161,367, roughly equal to the nation of Namibia
or the US state of New Mexico
. This gives it a ranking of 211th in India (out of a total of 640
). The district has a population density of 357 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
over the decade 2001-2011 was 12.39 %. Dindigul has a sex ratio
of 998 females
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
of 76.85 %.
It had a population of 1,923,014 as of 2001. It is 35.01% urbanised as per Census 2001.
The district has a literacy of 69.83% and is below the average in the state.
), Seehakai (Acacia concinna
), Nellikai (Emblica officinalis) and Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus
), Bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus
), Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) and Pine (Pinus patula
)
, Malabar Squirrel, Nilgiri langur
, Nilgiri Thar, Sambar
, Panther
, wild dog
, Barking deer, Mouse deer and Indian Elephant
.
, Poombarai
, Kukkal
, Kavunji
, Berijam
and Devadanapatty.
, Anaipatti Anjaneyar temple, Devadanapatty Kamakshi Amman temple and Sendaraya Perumal temple in Old Batlagundu.There is an ancient temple for goddess Arulmigu Thurgkaiamman, located in middle of a tree garden on the channel bank near the agricultural fields of the Keeranur. Keeranur is a historical village in Palani taluk of Dindigul district and "Sri Veerunagammal" Temple in Koonur Vellampatty,"Sri Marimuthu Swamy" temple Vellam Patty. One of the oldest place of worship is Muniappan kovil near Usilampatty in Vedasandur taluk, also an Agni amman kovil is there.
Arulmigu mudakkaatru karuppana swamy temple,Mandapam pudur,Sriramapuram village, Vedasandur taluk.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The district was carved out of Madurai District
Madurai District
Madurai district is one of the 32 districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. The city of Madurai serves as the district headquarters. It houses the world famous Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple and is situated on the banks of river Vaigai. Thiruparankundram is one of the major...
in the year 1985. The district is famous for its lock and tannery
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
industries.
Geography
It is bounded on the north by ErodeErode District
Erode District is a western district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India, with Erode as its headquarters. Until the year 1996, Erode district was called as Periyar District....
and Karur
Karur District
Karur District is located center along the Kaveri & Amaravati rivers in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. The main town in Karur District is the city of Karur, which is also the district headquarter. It had a population of 935,686 as of 2001. It is 33.27% urbanized as per Census 2001...
districts, on the east by Tiruchirappalli District
Tiruchirappalli district
Tiruchirapalli District , also known as Tiruchchirapalli District or Trichy District, is located along the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu, India...
, on the southeast and south by Madurai District, on the southeast by Theni District
Theni District
Theni District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in South India. The city of Theni is the district headquarters. The district is divided into two natural divisions: The hilly areas constituted by parts of the three taluks Periyakulam, Uthamapalayam and Andipatti with thick vegetation and...
, and on the west by the state of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and Tiruppur District.
The Palani
Palani
Palani is a city and a municipality in the Dindigul district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located about 100 km South of Coimbatore City and 60 km west of Dindigul...
and Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal
-Climate:Kodaikanal has a monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate . The temperatures are cool throughout the year due to the high elevation of the city.-Economy:...
taluks are famous tourist regions in South India. These taluks are cooler compared to other regions of Tamil Nadu.
Dindigul District has many waterfalls including Anju Veedu, Bamen Falls, Bear Shola Falls, Fairy Falls, Gaur Vellaiyan, Glen Falls, Kumbakkarai Falls, Kuthiraiyar Falls, Kutladampatti falls, Neptune Falls, Palar Falls, Pambar Falls, Poombarai Falls, Silver Cascade, Skamba Falls, Snake Falls, Thakkam thootam falls, Thalaiyar Falls (Rat tail) & Thoovanam falls.
Dams
Dharmathupatti Dam, Kamarajar Dam, Manjalar Dam, Marudhanadhi, Pannapatti, Parapalar Dam, Palar- Porandalar Dam, Varadamanadhi Dam, Alagapuri Dam, Peranai and Kuthiraiyar DamEconomy
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati RajMinistry of Panchayati Raj
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is a branch of the Government of India looking after the ongoing process of decentralization and local governance in the States....
named Dindigul one of the country's 250 most backward districts
Poverty in India
Poverty is widespread in India, with the nation estimated to have a third of the world's poor. According to a 2005 World Bank estimate, 41.6% of the total Indian population falls below the international poverty line of 1.25 a day...
(out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). It is one of the six districts in Tamil Nadu currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Divisions
The district of Dindigul has 8 taluks- DindigulDindigulDindigul is a town and municipality in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. The name Dindigul comes from the Portmanteau of “Thindu” meaning pillow and “kal” meaning Rock and refers to the bare hill dominating the city’s both land and skyscape...
- PalaniPalaniPalani is a city and a municipality in the Dindigul district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located about 100 km South of Coimbatore City and 60 km west of Dindigul...
- AthoorAthoorAthoor is a village in the Dindigul district of India between Dindigul and Bathalagundua about 3 km West of Sempatti . It is one of the legislative assemblies of Tamil Nadu. Athoor is a beautiful village surrounded by coconut and mango trees. Rice cultivation is the major occupation.Kamarajar...
- Kodaikanal
- Oddanchatram
- VedasandurVedasandurNagayakottai panchayat is vedasandur unionVedasandur is a panchayat town in Dindigul district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Etymology:The name derived from the Vedan Sandhaiur that is Vedan means hunter, Sandhai means the place for sales something, the Hunters were come and sold their goods...
- Nattam
- Nilakkottai
Demographics
According to the 2011 census2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...
Dindigul district has a population
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
of 2,161,367, roughly equal to the nation of Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
or the US state of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. This gives it a ranking of 211th in India (out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). The district has a population density of 357 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
Family planning in India
Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...
over the decade 2001-2011 was 12.39 %. Dindigul has a sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....
of 998 females
Women in India
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
Literacy in India
Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...
of 76.85 %.
It had a population of 1,923,014 as of 2001. It is 35.01% urbanised as per Census 2001.
The district has a literacy of 69.83% and is below the average in the state.
Politics
| Assembly Constituency |
Political Party |
Elected Representative |
|---|---|---|
| Palani | AIADMK | K.S.N Venugopalu |
| Oddanchatram | DMK | R. Sakkarapani R. Sakkarapani R. Sakkarapani is an Indian politician and incumbent Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu from Oddanchatram Constituency. Previously, he was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Oddanchatram constituency in, 1996, 2001 and 2006... |
| Nilakottai | Puthiya Tamizhagam | A. Ramasamy A. Ramasamy A. Ramasamy is an Indian politician and incumbent Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the Nilakottai constituency. He represents the Puthiya Tamilagam party.... |
| Natham | AIADMK | R. Viswanathan R. Viswanathan R. Viswanathan is an Indian politician and incumbent member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Natham Constituency. He is currently the Minister for Electricity and Prohibition and Excise, Govt. of Tamil Nadu... |
| Dindigul | CPI(M) | K. Balabharathy |
| Athoor | DMK | I. Periasamy |
| Vedasandur | AIADMK | S. Palanisamy S. Palanisamy S. Palanisamy is an Indian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Mettupalayam constituency in, 1977, and 1980 elections.... |
| Lok Sabha Constituency |
Political Party |
Elected Representative |
| Dindigul Dindigul (Lok Sabha constituency) -Before 2009:#Tirumanagalam #Usilampatti #Nilakottai #Sholavandan #Dindigul#Athoor-2009-present:#Palani#Oddachatram#Athoor... |
INC | N. S. V. Chitthan N. S. V. Chitthan -Early life and Background:N.S.V Chitthan was born in Tirumangalam district of Madurai on 12 April 1934. He belongs to the strong Thevar community. His father Shri N. S. Veerapathira Thevar was a member of Congress during the Pre Independence period. He married Shakuntala in 1959 . He holds a B.A... |
Flora and fauna
Flora
Sandana Vembu, Silavagai, Mahagani, Kadukai (Terminalia chebulaTerminalia chebula
Terminalia chebula is a species of Terminalia, native to southern Asia from India and Nepal east to southwestern China , and south to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam.It is a deciduous tree growing to tall, with a trunk up to in diameter...
), Seehakai (Acacia concinna
Acacia concinna
Acacia concinna is a climbing shrub native to Asia, common in the warm plains of central and south India. The tree is food for the larvae of the butterfly Pantoporia hordonia. Alkaloids are found in the tree's fruit.-Shikakai:...
), Nellikai (Emblica officinalis) and Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus
Cymbopogon citratus
Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemon grass or oil grass, is a tropical plant from Southeast Asia.-Culinary uses:Cymbopogon citratus is abundant in the Philippines where it's known as tanglad...
), Bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus globulus
The Tasmanian Blue Gum, Southern Blue Gum or Blue Gum, is an evergreen tree, one of the most widely cultivated trees native to Australia. They typically grow from 30 to 55 m tall. The tallest currently known specimen in Tasmania is 90.7 m tall...
), Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) and Pine (Pinus patula
Pinus patula
Patula pine, pino patula, pinus patula is a tree native to the highlands of Mexico. It grows from 24° to 18° North latitude and 1800 to 2700 m above sea level. 30 m tall...
)
Fauna
GaurGaur
The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
, Malabar Squirrel, Nilgiri langur
Nilgiri Langur
The Nilgiri langur is a lutung found in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats in South India. Its range also includes Kodagu in Karnataka,Kodayar Hills in Tamil Nadu and many other hilly areas in Kerala and Tamil nadu. This primate has glossy black fur on its body and golden brown fur on its head...
, Nilgiri Thar, Sambar
Sambar Deer
The Sambar ' is a large deer native to southern and southeast Asia. Although it primarily refers to R. unicolor, the name "Sambar" is also sometimes used to refer to the Philippine Deer and the Rusa Deer...
, Panther
Leopard
The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
, wild dog
Dhole
The dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only extant member of the genus Cuon, which differs from Canis by the reduced number of molars and greater number of teats...
, Barking deer, Mouse deer and Indian Elephant
Indian Elephant
The Indian Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
.
Tourist places
- Kodaikkanal
- PalaniPalaniPalani is a city and a municipality in the Dindigul district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located about 100 km South of Coimbatore City and 60 km west of Dindigul...
- Sirumalai
- Dindigul Fort
- Athoor Kamaraj Sagar Dam
Forest Rest House
KodaikanalKodaikanal
-Climate:Kodaikanal has a monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate . The temperatures are cool throughout the year due to the high elevation of the city.-Economy:...
, Poombarai
Poombarai
Poombarai is a village located in the heart of the Palani hills, from Kodaikanal at: . Altitude is .It is coming under ANJUR Poombarai is a village located in the heart of the Palani hills, from Kodaikanal at: . Altitude is .It is coming under ANJUR Poombarai is a village located in the heart...
, Kukkal
Kukkal
Kukkal is a Panchayat village of terrace farmers at the far western end of the Palani Hills in Kodaikanal block of Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu state, South India. It is from Kodaikanal at: . Elevation is . Kookal is notable for the high biodiversity of the area.-Geography:Kukkal sits at the...
, Kavunji
Kavunji
Kavunji is a Panchayat village of terrace farmers at the far western end of the Western Ghats in Kodaikanal block of Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu state, South India, Pincode 624103. It is from Kodaikanal at: . Elevation is...
, Berijam
Berijam Lake
Berijam Lake is a reservoir near Kodaikanal town in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, South India. It is at the old site of "Fort Hamilton", in the upper Palani hills....
and Devadanapatty.
Places of worship
There are many ancient places of Worship in this district like the Palani Murugan Temple, Thadikombu - Perumal Temple, Dindigul - Kottai Mariammam Temple, Begambur Big Mosque, Dindigul - Abirami amman Temple, Athoor-Sadayandi temple Nadupatti - Anjaneyar Temple, Kunnuvarankottai or Kunnapatti (also locally pronounced as Kannapatti ) Kasi Visalakshi-Viswanathar temple Kunnuvarankottai Kasi Visalakshi-Viswanathar templeKunnuvarankottai Kasi Visalakshi-Viswanathar Temple
-Kunnuvarankottai:Kunnuvarankottai, a village near Batlagundu which is on the foothills of Kodaikanal in Dindigul district. As per Etymology, the Tamil name for this village is Kundru-Aran-Kottai which now is known as Kunnuvarankottai or Kannapatti....
, Anaipatti Anjaneyar temple, Devadanapatty Kamakshi Amman temple and Sendaraya Perumal temple in Old Batlagundu.There is an ancient temple for goddess Arulmigu Thurgkaiamman, located in middle of a tree garden on the channel bank near the agricultural fields of the Keeranur. Keeranur is a historical village in Palani taluk of Dindigul district and "Sri Veerunagammal" Temple in Koonur Vellampatty,"Sri Marimuthu Swamy" temple Vellam Patty. One of the oldest place of worship is Muniappan kovil near Usilampatty in Vedasandur taluk, also an Agni amman kovil is there.
Arulmigu mudakkaatru karuppana swamy temple,Mandapam pudur,Sriramapuram village, Vedasandur taluk.
External links
- Dindigul District
- AllLocale.com Website for every neighbourhood in Tamil Nadu and Dindugul
- http://wikitravel.org/en/Dindigul - Wikitravel website useful for travelers to Dindigul City and nearby areas of interest
- http://wikitravel.org/en/Dindigul_district - Wikitravel website for Dindigul district useful for travelers and devotees to the Pilgrimage sites in the area
- Dindigul district - A profile - The Hindu, Monday, Feb 15, 2010
External sources
- K Venkateswaran, Madurai (March 1–15, 2010. P. 38, 39, 40, 41). "Kunnuvarankottai Ulaga Naayagan"" , 'Kumudham Bhakthi Special' , Tamil Periodical.
- Re. Ramamurthy. (February 2010. P. 11). "Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsar Aruliya Inkadhai Kavidai', Saravana Padippagam, Chinmaya Nagar, Chennai-600 092, Collection of Tamil poems and short stories.
- R. Venkataramani. (August 2003. P. 8,9,10,11,12,13). "Sringeri Sarada Peedathin 25th Peetadhipadhi - Mudalam Sachchidananda Bharathi", 'Amman Darisanam', Tamil Periodical
- K. Narayanaswamy, Vidyaranyapuram (Sringeri). (October 2009. P. 074,075,076,077,078,079). "Sringeriyil Olirntha Madurai Maharatnam", Amman Darisanam, Deepavali Special Edition, Tamil Periodical.