Dindigul Malaikottai Kalaheswarar Temple, Dindigul

Address

Dindigul Malaikottai Kalaheswarar Temple, Dindigul Fort Temple, Muthalagupatty, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu 624001

Diety

Kalaheswarar Amman: Abirami

Introduction

The Dindigul Fort or Dindigul Malai Kottai and Abirami amman Kalaheswarar Temple were built in the 16th-century by the Madurai Nayakar Dynasty situated in the town of Dindigul in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The fort was built by the Madurai Nayakar king Muthu Krishnappa Nayakar in 1605. In the 18th century, the fort passed on to the Kingdom of Mysore (Mysore Wodeyars). Later it was occupied by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan the fort was of strategic importance. 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. In modern times, the fort is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India

Puranic Significance

The history and the culture of the city of Dindigul are focussed and have grown around the Dindigul fort as the centre. It is a 17th-century hill fort that was built during the rule of Madurai Nayak dynasty by its ruling king Muthu Krishnappa Nayak in 1605. In the 18th century the fort passed on to Kingdom of Mysore, after which the Mughals used as their stronghold with Haider ali and Tipu Sultan having operated out of here. Thereafter, the British Imperial forces announced their supremacy by capturing the Dindigul fort and using it for military advantage. The premises of this monumental timepiece still withhold some ruins of the glorious past including sealed cannons with ammunition within and an abandoned old temple. Visitors are allowed to explore every patch of the fort and it can be very adventurous taking a stroll down the tunnel system within the fort. The Archaeological Survey of India recognizes this marvel as a heritage monument and is committed towards its conservation including the brilliant various rock relief structures and motifs on the walls of the fort still evident for view.