Dindigul, also spelled Thindukkal, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Dindigul district. Dindigul is located 420 km (260 mi) southwest of the capital Chennai, 100 km (62 mi) from Tiruchirappalli, 105 km (65 mi) from Karaikudi, 66 km (41 mi) from Madurai and 72 km of Tex- Karur city. The city is known for its locks and biryani. Parts of Dindigul districts like Palani, Oddanchatram, Vedasandur, Nilakottai, Kodaikanal, Natham, Athoor.
Dindigul Municipality has been upgraded to municipal corporation with effect from February 19, 2014. Hon'ble Chief Minister Jayalalithaa handed over the government order to Municipal Chairman V. Marudharaj.
Dindigul is believed to be an ancient settlement area and at various times was ruled by the Cheras, the early Pandyas, the Cholas, the Pallava dynasty, the later Pandyas, the Madurai Sultanate, the Vijayanagara Empire, the Madurai Nayak dynasty, Chanda Sahib and the British. . Dindigul has several historical monuments, the most prominent of which is the Dindigul Fort.
Industries in Dindigul include security lock manufacturers, tanneries, textile spinning, administrative services, agricultural trade, banking, agricultural machinery and educational services. Dindigul is being converted into a municipal corporation. The city covers an area of 14.01 km2 (5.41 sq mi) and had a population of 207,327 in 2011. Dindigul is well connected to the rest of Tamil Nadu by road and rail. It is the 12th largest urban agglomeration in the state and had a population of 292,512 as of the 2011 Tamil Nadu census. Dindigul has 200,000 hectares of agricultural land and agriculture remains the main occupation of its residents. Located between the Palani and Sirumalai hills, Dindigul has a reserved forest area of 85 hectares.
