Plan your weekend: Dindigul- A historic town with temples and holy rivers

It has been ruled at different times by the Pandyan kingdom, the Cholas, Pallava dynasty, the later Pandyas, the Madurai Sultanate, the Dindigul Sultanates until it became a part of the British empire.

Dindigul is home to several ancient monuments and centuries-old religious sites. If you are a history lover and look forward to exploring the bygone era of a place, then Dindigul is a must-visit destination. The city of Dindigul is popular by various other names such as Biryani City, City of Locks and Textile and Tannery.The city is surrounded by farm fields and lush green hills and makes a wonderful weekend destination for nature lovers and photographers. One of the must-visit places is the Dindigul Fort, located at the top of a rocky hill. It is one place where you can learn about the history of Dindigul and how it flourished over a period of time. 

It is said that the history of any place is incomplete without the presence of ancient religious sites. Abirami Amman Temple is one of the critical ‘Shivasthalam’ where you can discover Badmagiriswarar – Abirami Amman and Kalahastheeswarar – Gnanambigai Sannathi’s. Other famous tourist spots at Dindigul include Parappalar dam, Varadhamanadhi dam, Sirumalai Hills and Begampur Mosque. 

Sirumalai is a dense forest region with a moderate climate throughout the year. With an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level, it contains diversified flora and fauna. The hill has 18 hairpin bends. Sirumalai Hills has several scenic natural attractions like Sirumalai Lake, Sanjeevani hills, Saathiyar basin and Khandige Estate.Another attraction is the meeting point of the rivers Vaigai, Maruda and Manjalaru which has become a popular pilgrimage site close to the city. Trekkers can take a short trek to the small hill of Mala Kottai which is located in the city. Chinnalapatti is another favourite place of visitors.There are a number of options for travellers wanting to visit the city. The closest airport to Dindigul is in Madurai. The railway station in Dindigul is well connected to the towns and cities of Tamil Nadu.