Dindigul Fort

About:

Dindigul Fort is situated in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India and was built by the Madurai Nayak kings in 1605 and was later passed on to Kingdom of Mysore. In 1799 it went to the control of the British East India Company during the Polygar Wars. Now a days the fort is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India and has become a tourist attraction.

The Huge Hill at Dindigul, if we see it from one angle, looks like Pillow ('Dhindu') and hence the City is known as Dindigul. On this at a height of 280 ft. In the year 1605 Madurai King 'Muthu Krishna Naicker' started the construction of this Fort. In 1623 to 1659 Mannar Thirumalai Naicker completed this. In 1755 Hyder Ali was escorting Fakhr-Un-Nisha his wife and Five years old Tipu to Dindigul. From 1784 to 1790 the Fort was under the rule of 'Tipu Sultan'. In 1784, the Tipu's commandant Syed Ibrahim, under whose care the Fort was, constructed many rooms in the Fort, strenthend the walls and also got repaired. During the year 1790 in the Mysore war Tipu was defeated and the Fort came into the hands of English.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

History:

Dindigul located about 400 km from Chennai, is a strategic place located overlooking the valley through which the forces from Karnataka country gained access into the Madurai in late medieval period. The Nayakas of Madurai possibly erected the first fortification on the rock, a prominent elevated place overlooking the valley, in order to defend their country from the invading Mysore army. However, Haider Ali seems to have rebuilt the fort substantially as he used this as a launching pad to attack the British in this region during the Carnatic wars. The British finally captured the fort in 1790 and garrisoned it till 1860. The irregular curtain wall of the fort is well built of dressed and finely jointed stone blocks with brick crenulations. There are number of cells in the rampart for the use of troops. There are number of brick structures on the top, possibly built during the British period. There is a circular freestanding bastion on the top at a strategic location on which several cannons were mounted. There is one canon of English origin now preserved over the bastion. 

Vijayanagara rulers as indicated by the inscription built the temples on the summit. Among them, the central shrine is noteworthy for the delicately carved architectural members and the moulded brick elements of the superstructure. The style of carving recalls the influence of dying delicate artistic traditions on soapstone of Karnataka. One of the inscriptions on a shrine records a donation by the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya to the Tambiranar (the presiding deity) of Dindigul.

Interesting things to Visit:

Peranai and Sirumalai hills are the two fine picnic spots in the vicinity of the Town. There are four dams viz, Palar Porundalar, Varathamanathi, , Parappalar in Palani Taluk and Maruthanathi in Dindigul Taluk augment irrigation facilities to agricultural fields in this district. Nilakkottai town is famous for Brass Vessels and Jewellery. Nilakkottai Taluk is famous for the growing and marketing of flowers and Grapes. Oddanchatram is a noted market centre for vegetables. It is also famous for the export of Butter, manufactured in the nearby villages using cream separators. Batlagundu is an important market centre for Tomato. Pattiveeranpatti in Vathalagundu Block is famous for Cardamom and Coffee curing enterprises.

How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

Kodaikanal, a popular Summer Resort, located at an altitude of 2133 meters in the Western Ghats is at about 100 km from the city.

Athoor: Kamarajar Lake - Places to stay: Double Dutch Resort and Cardamom House situated at the boarder of Athoor Kamarajar Lake in the Kamarajar Valley on the spurs of the Western Ghats, provides accommodation in elegantly furnished rooms.

Palani: Lord Muruga - The Lord Muruga idol is made of Navabashanam. The theertham of the temple has got medicinal benefits because of spiritual and medicinal benefits. Rope car and winch are available to reach the temple. During Thai Poosam, people used to come from various parts of the state by walk.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Hotel Vijay
122, Tirupparankunram Rd, Vasantha Nagar, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001- 045 22336321

Taj Garden Retreat
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 2371601

Royal Court India
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 045 2435 6666

Hotel Park Plaza
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 3011111

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Anna Nagar Police Station
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Women's Police Station
, Thiruparankundram, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Sellur Police station
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Police Station
Usilampatti, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Police Station
Race Course Road, Chockikulam, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Nagamalai Puthukottai Police Station
Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 2458484

DOCTORS IN MADURAI
plot no 422, KK Nagar, madurai, Tamil Nadu 625020- 098 94149901

Visaka Poly Clinic
#1 Katarapalayam,, T.P.K Main Road,, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001- 0452 2338275

Muthu Hospital
11, Krishna Rao Tank Street, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001

PAMC Hospitals
No 36/1, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Chirstian Mission Hospital
East Marret Street, East Marret Street, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001- 0452 2326458