Batlagundu

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].

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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

• 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

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

• "Dindigul district - A profile". The Hindu. 15 February 2010.
• "Devadhanapatti temple fest passes off peacefully". The Hindu. 22 February 2007. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
• "Unique confluence of waters". The Hindu. 16 July 2005. Retrieved 12 April 2009.