Dindigul District is one of the 38 districts in the state of Tamil Nadu in India, which is the largest district in Tamil Nadu by area. The district was carved out of Madurai District in 1985. It has an area of 6266.64 km2 and comprises 3 revenue divisions, 10 taluks, and 14 panchayat unions. The district is located in Southwest of Tamil Nadu. Dindigul and Virudhunagar are the only 2 districts which are not connected to Kerala but share their border with the state of Kerala. It is one of the six districts in Tamil Nadu currently receiving funds from Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme. The district is struck between the north south chaoses as it lies in the centre of Tamilnadu. The western part of the district lies in the Coimbatore plateau which is made up of Red soil, while the rest of the district is relatively plain and has black and loamy soil. Some of the regions of Dindugal are semi arid, due to the rain shadow effect of Western Ghats namely Sirumalai and Karandhamalai. This Geographical contrast attributed to the different food, culture and Settlement in the district. Known for its popular cuisine, Dindigul is lovingly called as ‘Biryani City’ by many.

The Kodaikanal a hill station with Misty Hills Coated in Fog and with the Chilly Temperature located in Dindigul district in the state of Tamilnadu located at 7000 ft above the sea level, Established by British bureaucrats in 1845. Also called as “Princess of Hill Stations”. The verdant hills, The Cascading waterfalls, Picturesque Lakes, Pristine countrysides – the reason why Kodaikanal has been popular among tourist are many. Boating, cycling, Horse riding and trekking are some of the most common activities here. moreover Kurinji flower that blooms only once in 12 years, making itself a unique spectacle to watch here. To know more about Kodaikanal & the places of interest pls click https://dreamtravelsmadurai.com/kodaikanal/

The temple in Palani is one of the six abodes of God Murugan, in the form of Lord Dandayudhapani, which means he holds a danda or stick in his hand to punish the evil.  Based on historical accounts,  Bogar, a hermit who also blessed it crafted the murti of Murugan at the hill temple in Palani by mixing nine poisonous herbs (Navapashanam) using a unique procedure which is believed that it will cure many diseases . He also established the temple for Murugan in Poombarai Kuzhanthai Velappar temple Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu, India. Panchamritam (mixture of five) is a divine mix made of banana, honey, ghee, jaggery and cardamom along with date fruits and Sugar candies. It is believed to have been prepared by Ganesha to soothe Muruga, after their battle for the fruit. The practice is followed in modern times where the devotees are provided the mixture as a prasad. Thaipusam is the most important festival at Palani, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Thai along with others is Panguni Uthiram, Vaikhashi Vishakham and Sura Samhaaram. Tonsuring one’s head is an important offering at Palani. The belief is that by shaving off one’s head hair, the devotee is removing the ego and gaining spiritual wisdom. Many devotees get the first head shave of newborn children done here, many women also come here for this offering. Another is the anointing of the head of the presiding deity’s idol with sandalwood paste, at night, prior to the temple being closed for the day. There were three ways to reach the hill top for worship. One has to climb 689 steps or the Haulage Winch (a small rope train) and a Rope Car to reach the temple uphill. Once you reach the top of the hill, you can see Palani Town on all sides.

The Dindigul Fort or Dindigul Malai Kottai and Abirami Amman Kalaheswarar Temple was built by Madurai Nayakar Dynasty king Muthu Krishnappa Nayakar in 1605 situated in the town of Dindigul in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. In the 18th century the fort passed on to Kingdom of Mysore later it was occupied by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan & In 1799 it went to the control of the British East India Company during the Polygar Wars. There is an abandoned temple on its peak apart from few cannons sealed with balls inside. The rock fort is 900 ft (270 m) high and has a circumference of 2.75 km (1.71 mi). Cannon and gunfire artillery were included in the fort during the 17th century. The fort was cemented with double walls to withstand heavy artillery. Cannons were installed at vantage points around the fort with an arms and ammunition depot built with safety measures. The double-walled rooms were fully protected against external threat and were well ventilated by round ventilation holes in the roof. A thin brick wall in one corner of the depot helped soldiers escape in case of emergency. The fort has 48 rooms that were once used as cells to lodge war prisoners and slaves, a spacious kitchen, a horse stable and a meeting hall for the army commanders. The fort also has its own rainwater reservoirs constructed by taking advantage of the steep gradient. The construction highlights the ingenuity of Indian kings in their military architecture. The fort is maintained as protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. An entry fee of ₹25 is charged for Indian citizens and ₹300 for foreigners. Visitors are allowed to walk around the tunnels and trenches that reveal the safety features of the structure. The temple has some sculptures and carvings, with untarnished rock cuts.

Sirumalai is a massive dense forest region of 60,000 acres situated 25 km from Dindigul & 90 km from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, which has a moderate climate throughout the year. Sirumalai range is the last mountain range of the Eastern Ghats. With an altitude of 1600 metres above sea level, it contains diversified flora and fauna. Man-made fires on the hills have destroyed medicinal plants and threatened the fauna habitat. Fires are often set to promote vegetation growth used for animal fodder, clear land for cultivation, or improve access to timber. The hill has 18 hairpin bends. On the 18th bend are a church and a viewpoint of Dindigul city and the Dindigul Rock Fort. The famous Sirumalai Hill Banana is slowly disappearing from disease, which scientists have been unable to prevent. Trees such as terminalia, shorea, and magnolia champaca are dominant in these hills. A rich animal life including threatened animals such as the slender Loris, gaur, Sambar deer, sloth bear, Asian palm civet, Indian hare, jungle cat and Indian pangolin are to be seen in the wild. Birds such as Indian peafowl, Asian koel, Indian grey hornbill and even the endemic blue-winged parakeet are found in these forests. Threatened reptiles such as the python molurus, Indian star tortoise, and venomous snakes such as Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, common krait and the endemic bamboo pit viper and the little-known striped coral snake are found here. Special mention must be made of the only endemic reptile of the hill – the Sirumalai shieldtail snake Uropeltis dindigalensis that is reportedly not found anywhere else. Sirumalai has got a small lake that was artificially created in the year 2010. The hills also have many waterfalls among which many are not allowed for tourist, and there are also dams located within the hill range which are Sathaiyar Dam, Mavoor Dam. There are also many view points, some trecking and adventure spots available at sirumalai hill areas. In the region of Sirumalai, the Agasthiarpuram is a holy place where siddhas (monks) have lived since ancient times. The area is surrounded with medicinal herbs and plants. At the top of the hill is the historic Shiva Lingam, which dates back at least 500 years, the walk to top of the hill are about 30–45 minutes. The view from the silver hill is breathtaking. Agatthiyar SivaSakthi Sitthar Peedam is an ashram located at the silver hill in Agathya Puram. Food is served daily (Annadanam) and lodging is available at the ashram. The ashram aims to promote various voluntary campaigns such as cleaning of the hills.

The Athoor Kamarajar dam located at Athoor Village in Dindigul district. The dam, with a maximum water level of 23.5 feet, receives water through Koolaiyar and Kodaganar River that flows through the hilly areas of Adalur, Panrimalai, Pullaveli & Thandikudi respectively in the Western Ghats. Enjoy your visit at Athoor Village along with your family for a fun filled holiday. Do some Morning Prayer at Sadayandi Temple here which is very famous & then at Shiva Temple nearby, then visit the Village by Walk, have fun in the River, do a small trail / trekking. Evening Visit the Church of Our Lady of assumption and spend time with the Villagers. There are some private resorts where you can stay near Athoor Dam like, Wild Rock Resort, Double Dutch Resort & Cardamom House..,