Theni district

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Theni District (Tamil:தேனி மாவட்டம்) is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Theni is the district headquarters.

Contents

[edit] History

Theni District has been formed after bifurcation from erstwhile Madurai District as per G.O.Ms.No.679 Revenue Department Dated:25.07.96. Consequent on the bifurcation, one new Revenue Division with headquarters at Uthamapalayam and two new Taluks at Theni and Bodinayakanur were also created with effect from 01.01.97. Theni Municipal town was only a firka headquarters till 31.12.96. Consequent on the formation of the new District, Theni Municipal Town has been upgraded as the Taluk and District head quarters from 01.01.97. [1]

[edit] Geography

Meghamalai Falls.
Meghamalai Falls.

The district is bounded by Dindigul District to the north, Madurai District to the east, Virudhunagar District to the southwest, and Idukki district of the Kerala State to the west. The district is home to Theni, Periyakulam, Bodinayakanur, Cumbum, Uthamapalayam, Gudalur, Chinnamanur, Andipatti and several other small villages like Kamatchipuram. The district lies at the foot of the Western Ghats and is diversified by several ranges and hills. A range of hills which runs parallel to Western Ghats from north to south separate it from the neighboring state of Kerala.

[edit] Climate

Grapes Cultivation.
Grapes Cultivation.

In the plains, the temperatures range from a minimum of 13 °C to a maximum of 39.5 °C. In the hills, however, the temperatures can range from as low as 4-5 °C to 25 °C.

The district is known for its salubrious climate, hills and lakes. Cumbum, Uthamapalayam and Theni are charming towns in the district. Resounding cascades, silver-lined clouds resting a top billiard green hill tops, sheer rock faces and temples of antiquity are the stuff that distinguish these places from others. These unique places warm the soul and provide the much-needed balm to the mind.

[edit] Rivers and Dams

Manjalaru Dam.
Manjalaru Dam.

The rivers Suruliyar, Mullai Periyar, Vaigai, kotagudi and Varaganathi flow through the district. The important reservoirs in the district are Vaigai Dam, Manjalaru Dam, Sothuparai Dam, Sanmughanathi Dam, Manalaru and Melmanalaru Dam. Mullai Periyar Dam is located in the Idduki district of Kerala, which is just 4 km from Tamilnadu-Kerela border town Kumuli.

[edit] Economy

Its economy is mostly agricultural. Silk, Cotton, Rice, Coconut, Tea, Coffee seeds, Cardamom, Grapes and Mangoes are the main produce of the district. Cumbum Valley is a major centre for Grape production with 4,000 small farmers producing over 90,000 tonnes of Muscat Grapes, know locally as "panneer dhrakshai" and about 10,000 tonnes of Thomson seedless grapes. The unique feature here is that the grapes are harvested throughout the year, while in most grape growing centres elsewhere the season ends with summer.

Bodinayakanur is a major market place for Cardamom, Coffee, Tea, and Pepper. This city is also called as "Cardamom City" because of the large quantity of cardamom trade in this area. It has an auction centre for cardamom.

[edit] Administrative divisions

The district can be divided into two natural divisions. Hilly areas constituted by parts of all the three taluks viz. Periyakulam, Uthamapalayam and Aundipatti with thick vegetation and perennial stream from the hills on the western side, and another one is Cumbum valley which lies in Uthamapalayam taluk.

[edit] Demographics

It had a population of 1,093,950 as of 2001. It is 54.10% urbanised.[1]

The district has a literacy of 68.01%, below the average for the state.

[edit] Disadvantages

There has been a much heated discussion on laying broad gauge line direct from [Bodi]-Theni to Chennai via Periyakulam-Batalagundu-Dindigul. I was told that this was a project in early 1960s and even Southern Railway had acquired or initiated acquisition of land for rail line construction as early as 1970. Theni is one of the active business hubs in the western side of Tamilnadu inviting more industries to its locality. There are very important hill resorts - Internationally renowned - like Munnar, Kodaikanal, Thekkady which is left without direct rail link from major cities like Chennai etc. Electric trains from Madurai to Theni is also good investment for the Indian Railway because for every 5 minutes there is a Bus starting from Theni to Madurai, vice versa.[citation needed]

The elected MLA's and MP's from this district should take initiatives for bringing up the Direct Rail service to Theni from Chennai. This Rail Link will link the 3rd world to the District directly. This project will enhance the mode of transport and ease of traveling to the Passengers, Travelers, Tourists, etc. This Train would also bring down the number of Buses (more than 50 buses from Govt and Private, daily services) running from Theni district to Chennai.[citation needed]

[edit] Culture

[edit] Festival

The celebration of Gowmariyamman temple festival at Veerapandi during the month of May, Veerappa Ayyanar festival at Theni, Kamatchi Amman festival at Devadhanapatti and Saneeswaran Temple festival at Kuchanoor are the most improtant festivals of the district. Theni district is known for its brilliant celebration of Pongal, which is considered to be one of the most important festivals of Tamil Nadu. Pallavarayanpatti near to Uthamapalayam is very famous for its "Jallikattu" during the Pongal festival. Another important festival is Chitra Pournami festival, which is celebrated at Sri Mangala Devi Kannagi temple, on the Western Ghats near Gudalur during the month of May. The other most important festivals of the region are the festivals of Masi Maham and Shivarathri which are celebrated in the Kamatchi Amman Temple during the months of February-March.

[edit] Tourism

[edit] Places of interest

Cumbum Valley.
Cumbum Valley.
  1. Vaigai Dam (~20 km from Theni)
  2. Suruli falls (~50 km from Theni)
  3. Meghamalai Hill (~67 km from Theni)
  4. Thekkady Wild Life Sanctuary (~70 km from Theni)
  5. Munnar (~80 km from Theni)
  6. Kodaikanal (~100 km from Theni)
  7. Vellimalai Forest (~70 km from theni)
  8. Bodi Mettu Hill (~45 km from Theni)
  9. Kumbakarai Falls (~24 km from Theni)
  10. Sothuparai Dam (~24 km from Theni)
  11. Shanmuganathi Dam (~50 km from Theni)
  12. Top Station (~70 km from Theni via Bodimettu)
  13. Madurai (~76 km from Theni)


[edit] Temples

Thousand Lingam Temple, Suruli Falls.
Thousand Lingam Temple, Suruli Falls.
  1. Veerapandi Gowmariamman Temple (~8 km from Theni)
  2. Kuchanur Saneeswarar Temple (~25 km from Theni)
  3. Chinnamanur Sivagamiamman Temple (~26 km from Theni)
  4. Theertha thotti Subramanya Temple (~16 km from Theni)
  5. Periyakulam Balasubramanya Temple (~16 km from Theni)
  6. Devadanapatti Kamatchi Amman Temple (~35 km from Theni)
  7. Kamatchipuram Kaliyamman Temple (~20 km from Theni)
  8. Mavoothu Vellappar Temple (~25 km from Theni)
  9. Suruli Vellapar Temple (~50 km from Theni)
  10. Karuppuswami Temple (~40 km from theni)
  11. Mallingar Swamy Temple, Mallingapuram(~40 km from Theni)

[edit] Churches

  1. Rayappan patti Pani (snow) Matha Church

[edit] Mosque

  1. Periya Palli vasal, Uthamapalayam
  2. pallivasal in kuchanur

[edit] Education

[edit] Schools

  1. ZKM higher Secondary School,Bodi.
(Oldest and the largest school in the district)
  1. Pankajam girls higher secondary school,Bodi.
  2. ThirumalapuramNadar higher secondary school,Bodi.
  3. Nadar saraswathi girls higher secondary school,Theni
  4. Nadar saraswathi higher secondary school, Theni
  5. Nadar saraswathi girls higher secondary school, Theni
  6. Santiniketan matric school, (pc patti)Theni.
  7. Theni Kammavar Sangam Matriculation Higher Secondary School,Theni
  8. CNMS sivakami Mat Hr Sec School Chinnamanur
  9. Pachaiyappa Hindu Nadar Higher Secondary School, Kamatchipuram
  10. N S K Ponniah Gounder Higher Secondary School (NSKP), Gudalur
  11. Cardamom Planters union Higher secondary school,Cumbum
  12. Sri MPM high school, ,[Cumbum]
  13. Sri NAMMS matric school, cumbum
  14. St.Allocious higher secondary school, Royappanpatti
  15. S U M higher secondary school, Royappanpatti
  16. G R V higher secondary school, Mayladumparai
  17. Sharon matriculation School, Cumbum
  18. TMHNU Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Muthuthevanpatty, Theni
  19. Sri V.V.Higher secondary School,[(Venkatachalapuram)]

[edit] Government Aided Arts and Science Colleges

  1. Cardamom Planters Association College, Bodinayakanur
  2. Hajee Karutha Rowther Howdia College, Uthamapalayam
  3. Jayaraj Annpackiam College for Women, Periyakulam
  4. Madurai Kamaraj University College, Andipatti

[edit] Self-financing Colleges

  1. Jayaraj Chella Durai College , Nalla Karuppan Patty, Periyakulam East
  2. Nadar Saraswathi College of Arts and Science, Theni
  3. Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Women's College, Cumbum
  4. Theni Arts and Science College, Veerapandi, Theni
  5. Jeyavenkatesh Arts and Science College, Keppurengan patti

[edit] Engineering Colleges

  1. Odaiyappa College of Engineering and Technology, Theni
  2. Bharath Niketan Engineering College, Andipatti
  3. Thangam-Muthu Polytechnic, Nalla karuppan patty, Periyakulam
  4. Soniya Jeyavenkatesh Engineering College

[edit] Medical College

  1. Theni Government Medical College and Hospital, Theni

[edit] Agricultural College

  1. Horticultural College and Research Institute, Nalla Karrupan patty, Periyakulam.

[edit] Forest College

  1. Government Forest Training College, Vaigai Dam, Theni.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Census 2001

[edit] External links