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The Dharmapuri district is one of the new districts of
Tamil Nadu, like the districts of
Pudukkottai and Erode,
and was organized on October 2nd, 1965. It constitutes the northern
portion of the former composite district of Salem and was known as "North
Salem".
It's Boundaries
The district is situated in the interior of the southern Peninsula
bounded on the east by the North Arcot and South Arcot districts, on the
west by Bangalore
and Mysore
districts of Karnataka
State, on the north by Karnataka State and the
Chittoor
district of Andhra
Pradesh , and on the south by Salem
district. The town of Dharmapuri is the district headquarters of the
district of Dharmapuri.
History of Dharmapuri
Several dynastries- the Hoysalas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar kings, Muslim
Sultans of Bijapur and Golconda, and the Nayak rulers ruled the area of
Dharmapuri. Finally the British had control over this area since 1792 AD.
During the British rule in the country and even till the year 1947 there
was no separate district, except Dharmapuri as one of the Taluks (also
spelt as Taluka) of Salem district. It actually
became a separate district in the year 1965 as its headquarters at
Dharmapuri itself.
The City Of Dharmapuri
Dharmapuri is an agricultural trade center and contains some light
industry. The area's main crops are millets, but rice is extensively grown
under irrigation. Considerable deposits of saltpetre and salts of soda are
mined in this region. Forest based industries constitute a major segment
of the economic structure.
About 48-km west are the Hogenakkal Falls of the Cauvery River, a famous
pilgrimage site.
Hogenakkal
Waterfalls
This is one of the wonderful waterfalls in Tamil Nadu.
It is located at a distance of 48-km west of Dharmapuri. It is a part of
the river Cauvery and is about 250 meters above sea level. The main
attraction of the falls is its vertical drop from a height of 20 meters
with a thundering sound. Surrounded by mountains, Hogenakkal offers a
quite holiday in comfort.
Krishnagiri
Krishnagiri is the second biggest town in Dharmapuri district and an
historical place. An old fort called "Syed Padsha Hill Fort" is
famous and attracts many tourists apart from the reservoir. The Dam site
is a picnic spot.
Athiyamankottai
Athiyamankottai is located 8-km from Dharmapuri on the Dharmapuri
Salem Highway. The Central Archaeological
Department has taken over the site and is being protected by them. At the
centre of the Fort site, is an old temple called "Chennakeswar temple"
that is believed to have been constructed both by the King Krishnadevaraya
and Hoysala Kings.
Paintings depicting Ramayana and Mahabharata scenes are found inside the
temple. All the paintings belong to the 13th century. The place acquires
its name after the Tamil King "Athiyaman Neduman Anji" who ruled
the Thagadur (the present Dharmapuri) area and Kottai meaning fort. The
main villages of Athiyamankottai are located on the eastern side of the
Salem-Bangalore Highway about one km from the Fort.
Rail: Dharmapuri has a railway station and is well
connected by rail with the important towns and cities within and beyond
the state.
Road: Dharmapuri is also well connected by road with the major
towns and cities within and beyond the state. For local transportation
taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available.
Accommodation is available at the moderate class and small budgeted hotels and lodges in Dharmapuri.
Adi-Perukku is the biggest festival celebrated for 3 days
in the month of August. Koothapadi village conducts this famous event.
Angalamman festival, which lasts for two days, is celebrated in
Kaveripatnam in the month of February.
Government of Tamil Nadu Tourist Office
Dharmapuri District
Development Corporation Ltd.
Complex,
Area: 11-sq-kms
Population: 59,318
Latitude: N 11° 45' and 13°01'
Longitude: E 77°13' and 78° 45'
Clothing: Light Cottons
Languages Spoken: Tamil and Telugu
STD Code: 04342
Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C):
Summer- Max 39.2ºC, Min 29.7ºC
Winter- Max 28.9ºC, Min 22.5ºC
Rainfall: 1,000 mm to 1,200 mm
Erode - 100-km
Harur - 16-km
Hosur - 77-km
Krishnagiri - 45-km
Salem - 53-km
Tiruvannamalai - 100-km
Vellore - 137-km