Batlagundu

Batlagundu is a town in Nilakottai block in Dindigul district in the Madurai Region state of Tamil Nadu, India. The name Vetrilaikkundru (Betel leaf hill) later transformed and changed to Vathalagundu. The town is the major gateway to Kodaikanal. Subramaniya Siva was a writer, Indian Freedom Fighter, and activist born in Batlagundu. Batlagundu is the fifth-largest town in the Dindigul district. The town is located in such a way connecting three main districts of South Tamil Nadu (Dindigul, Madurai, and Theni). Batlagundu has most of the voters in Nilakottai Constituency.

Batlagundu

Vathalagundu
City
Night view of Batlagundu
Batlagundu
Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 10.1655°N 77.7594°E / 10.1655; 77.7594
Country India
StateTamil Nadu
ZoneMadurai
DistrictDindigul district
Government
 • TypeSpecial level Panchayat Town
 • BodyBatlagundu Special level Panchayat Town
 • Town PresidentVacant
Population
 (2011)
 • Total32,577
Demonym(s)Vathalagundukaran
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
624202
Telephone code04543
Vehicle registrationTN 57

Batlagundu is closely associated with Agriculture. The Town has many agricultural lands. It has a big market getting all the vegetables and fruits afresh from the Kodai hills. Batlagundu is an important hub in the Dindigul district. The Town is home to various banana and coconut productions.

The town is believed to be significant antiquity and has been ruled at different times, by the Pandiyan, Cholas, Madurai Nayakas and the British.

Demographics

Batlagundu is a Town Panchayat city in the district of Dindigul and Nilakkottai Taluks. The Batlagundu city is divided into 18 wards for elections held every five years.

Batlagundu Town Panchayat has total Administration over 8,878 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It also authorize to build roads within Town limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.

In the 2001 India census,[1] Batlagundu (PIN: 624202) had a population of 22,007. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Batlagundu has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 54% of the males and 46% of females literate. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age. According to the 2011 census, the town had a population of 32577.

The Town is a gateway to the Madurai district, Theni district, and Kodaikanal. Batlagundu is surrounded by many small hills which are called "kundru" in Tamil. It is located in the heart of three districts [Dindigul, Theni, and Madurai] and a hill station [Kodaikanal].

Climate

As situated under the foothills of Kodaikanal, Batlagundu experiences cool breeze throughout the year, especially during the Southeast Monsoon. Batlagundu receives a good rainfall during Monsoon.

Economy

The economy of the town is mostly dependent on agricultural products and is home to a banana leaf commission, coconut powder exports, spinning mills, and other businesses. With its proximity to the foothills of the Kodaikanal mountain range, there are wholesale businesses that involve vegetables and fruits (carrots, apples, blue cabbage, tomato, and coffee) that grow in the mountains.

Medical facilities and hospitals

Seeing the medical needs of the surrounding community a dispensary was established by Christian missionaries during the 1970s in the name of late Rt Rev Leonard, Archbishop of Madurai. Leonard Hospital is the sole multi-specialty hospital in Batlagundu. Interestingly the 4-acre land, where this hospital now stands was originally planned to host a cinema theater. But due to the efforts of the then Chairman of the Batlagundu Panchayat, a devoted Hindu, it was allotted to the Christian institution. Theni Medical College was established during 2004 by then Chief Minister Dr. J. Jayalalitha, along with 600 bedded hospital, which is 40 km away. Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, established in 1842 is 60 km away. Many small medical canters and dispensaries cater to the medical need of the Town.

Notable people
  • C. S. Chellappa - (29 September 1912 - 18 December 1998) was a Tamil writer, journalist, and Indian independence movement activist. He belonged to the "Manikodi" literary movement
  • B. R. Rajam Iyer - (1872–1898) was an Indian lawyer and writer who wrote in Tamil and English.
  • B. S. Ramiah - (24 March 1905 – 18 May 1983) was a Tamil writer, journalist, and critic from Tamil Nadu, India. He was also a script and dialogue writer in Tamil films,
  • Subramaniya Siva - (4 October 1884 – 23 July 1925) was a Tamil writer and activist during the Indian independence movement.

Education

Schools

There are a number of institutions offering State Board and Matriculation syllabus and an ITI. Notable schools include:

  • Government Boys Higher Secondary School
  • Mahalakshmi Girls Higher Secondary School
  • Jeyaseelan Matric Higher Secondary School
  • Annai Velankanni Matric Higher Secondary School
  • Saradha Vidhyalaya Matric Higher Secondary School
  • Mount Zion Matric Higher Secondary School
  • Mount Zion CBSE School
  • Panchayat Union School
  • Sri Ram School
  • First Step CBSE School
  • Lakshmi Narayana School
  • Apple Kids School
  • Vivekananda School
  • NSVV Matric Higher Secondary School
  • NSVV Boys School
  • NSVV Girls School
  • Holy Cross Girls Higher Secondary School

Colleges

The town has no Government Colleges, but private colleges include:-

  • Claudine College of Nursing.Leonard Hospital
  • DMS Nursing Institute
  • Kanzur Rashad Arabic College
  • Kasi Nursing Institute
  • Krishna polytechnic college
  • National College
  • PVP Engineering College
  • Teacher training Institute

Town Area

The Town includes the following areas which come under the Town Panchayat administration

  • Gandhi Nagar
  • Thiru Nagar
  • Anna Nagar
  • VOC Nagar
  • Pleespuram
  • Bethaniyapuram
  • Kamarajapuram
  • EB Colony
  • State bank Colony
  • Agraharam
  • Oorkalaswamy Kovil Street
  • Middle Street
  • South Street
  • Pudhupatti
  • Arunachalapuram
  • Vengatapatti
  • Telephone Exchange Street
  • Perumal Kovil Street
  • Kadai Veethi
  • Mela kovilpatti
  • Byepass Region
  • Muthulapuram
  • Lashmipuram
  • Eden Garden
  • Market Region
  • Judge Somasundaram Street
  • Single Street
  • Melamandhai Street
  • Thatta Street
  • Kannimarikovil Street
  • Madurai Veeranuku Kovil Street
  • Vivekanda Nagar

Religious sites
  • Kaliamman temple,located at the centre of the town.
  • Mariamman temple at Old Batlagundu is the main goddess in this region, and the festival is held in this temple every year is locally famous.
  • Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple The temple is situated on the banks of the Manjalaru. The presiding deity is Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal with his consort, Lakshmi, on his lap. The temple built in the Pandyas period and about 700 years old. The priest Srinivasa Raghavan who is currently undertaking the development work of the temple.
  • Arulmigu Bhadravathi Bhavanarishi Sametha "Sri Markandeyar Temple" is an ancient temple Situated in Batlagundu. Lord Markandeyar is a workshop in this temple. The Shivaratri festival is held in this temple at every Shivaratri is famous in this region.
  • Sri Sendraya Perumal Temple - There is an ancient temple of Sri Sendraya Perumal situated on a hill near old Batlagundu. Lord Vishnu is worshiped in this temple as Sri Sendraya Perumal. Devotees seeking peace, prosperity and a healthy life come and worship at this temple.[2][3]
  • Arulmigu Kottai Karuppanasamy Temple is at Viralipatti village. This temple festival is celebrated annually during the Tamil month of Aadi.
  • Arulmigu Sri Edamalai Mahalingam temple is situated near Kattakamanpatty village, three kilometers from Batlagundu on the way to Periyakulam.
  • Kasi Viswanathar and Vishalakshi Temple, which is a very ancient temple
  • Jumma Masjid Batlagundu
  • St. Thomas Church (Roman Catholic)
  • Small Jumma Masjid Batlagundu
  • Tholugai Palli Gandhi Nagar
  • Tholugai Palli Dindigul Road
  • CSI Church Madurai Bypass

Transport

Batlagundu is well connected by road. Batlagundu is situated on the boundaries of Dindigul, Theni and Madurai Districts.

Road

Batlagundu Bus stand has buses to all major cities in Tamil Nadu, Bangalore, and Kerala.

The Kodaikanal Ghat Road has been designated by the Tamil Nadu State Highway Department as SH-156. It begins at about 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Batlagundu and ends at Kodaikanal with a length of 56.8 kilometers (35.3 mi). The Road is tolled by the Kodaikanal Municipality. Batlagundu is the centre of three districts (Dindigul, Theni, and Madurai)

Rail

Batlagundu does not have a railway station. The nearest railway stations are

Air

The nearest airport to Batlagundu is Madurai International Airport (65.7 km) via NH 44 and Ammaiyanaickanore.

References
  1. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=1147
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