dharmapuri

Location: Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu
Formed On: October 2nd, 1965
Is an: Agricultural Trade Center and Contains Some Light Industry
Main Attractions: Hogenakkal Waterfalls, Athiyamankottai, and Krishnagiri
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 dynasties- 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.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS

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 center 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. 

HOW TO GET THERE

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.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS: 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.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area:11-sq-kms
Population: 59,318

NEARBY CITIES

Erode -100-km
Harur - 16-km
Hosur - 77-km
Krishnagiri - 45-km
Salem - 53-km
Tiruvannamalai - 100-km