Denkanikottai

Denkanikottai தேன்கனிகோட்டை Denkanikotai
city
Denkanikottai Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 12°31′36″N 77°47′34″E / 12.52667°N 77.79278°E / 12.52667; 77.79278Coordinates: 12°31′36″N 77°47′34″E / 12.52667°N 77.79278°E / 12.52667; 77.79278
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Krishnagiri
Population (2009)
• Total	28,334
Languages Tamil,Telugu & Kannada
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	635107
Telephone code	04347
Vehicle registration	TN-70

Denkanikottai or Denkanikotta is a selection grade panchayat town in Krishnagiri district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is altitude 3000 feet above from the sea level. It is an agrarian economy depending on the agricultural output of surrounding villages in its taluk. Holy places like Jammiah Masjid, Yarab Dharga and Bettaraya Swamy Temple(In Kannada ಬೆಟ್ಟರಾಯ ಸ್ವಾಮೀ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ, which means temple of lord of hill) (Vettarayan Swamy Temple in Tamil ) and are popular sacred shrines in Denkanikottai. One can easily reach the highly grown up tourist place Hogenekkal from Bangalore through Hosur - Denkanikottai - Anchetti - Nattrapalayam. Kannada and Tamil are main languages spoken here.

History

Until 1654 A.D., Denkanikottai was ruled by Kantirave Narasa Raja of Srirangapattana. The territory later moved into the hands of Hyder Ali. Later it was part of the struggle between the British and Hyder.

Geography

Denkanikottai is located at 12°31'11"N 77°46'48"E. It is situated on the south-western extreme of the Deccan plateau, east of the western ghats. The forest area of Denkanikottai forms the prime elephant habitat in the district. It is part of the Cauvery Elephant Reserve (450 km²). It has dry but pleasant weather conditions throughout the year. It is 3000 feet above from the sea level. Here the Hill allowance is allowed for the Central Government employees.

Tourist importance

This beautiful town also has an ancient temple of Bettaraya Swamy (in Kannada betta means hill )(Sridevi Budevi samedtha Vettaiadiya Piran in Tamil).Once Kanva Maharisi requested lord Vishnu to destroy a giant known as Denkini and stayed here after. This temple is said to be around 500 years old. The annual Car Festival of this lord is quite famous around the region; this festival happens generally during the month of March and April.The prestigious Hogenakkal Falls is just 66 km away from Denkanikotta; the way is through the thick forest region of Anchetty, part of the cauvery elephant reserve. This town got another landmark under its name, GAVI NARASIMHA temple, dedicated for Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. This temple is believed to be one of the oldest temples in this town, which was not noticed by many for over three decades. The credit in renewing this temple goes to RSS camp and public of Denkanikotta. Another temple of religious significance to Shaivaites, is near the Bettaraya Swamy temple, called "Murudu Basaveshwara Swamy" temple.Unlike most Shiva temples, the main deity of this temple is the sacred bull, the Nandi, which is traditionally called the Vahana of Shiva. This taluk has another famous hill temple, namely Shiva Nanjundeshwara Swamy, located at Alasetty village near Denkanikottai.

The town boasts the famous Dhargha to lord yarab, this dhargha is well known in the country amongst the Muslims. People were threatened by the deadly disease plague and left the city during the arrival of the disease, for more than 4–5 months, but after Yarab hazrath came it was put an end.The Dharga has 2 tombs one of Yarab hazrath himself and another is of his son khalif – e – hazrath (successor). Their contribution towards the people in the city and outside the city is much bigger and it can’t be explained in few lines.

Flora and fauna

The district is a paradise for nature lovers. The flora include a variety of timber trees like Rose wood, Teak, Sandal etc. Hundreds of medicinal herbs, minor forest plants like nelli, kadukkai, cheekai, pungam, etc. The following trees like 'Charakkonnai' ('Cassia histula'). Since pungam trees are found in abundance in this forest pungam oil is extracted from the seeds of this tree, creating a non-polluting Bio-fuel.

The major wild animals include Elephants, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Gaur, Wild boar, Panther, etc. The forest area of Denkanikottai Taluk forms the prime elephant habitat with lot of bamboos and this area constitutes the Cauvery elephant reserve, which is constituted over an area of about Denkanikotta to Hogenekkall via Anchetty is wonderful experience to Nature Lovers. 450 km². The bird population is also attractive with beautiful birds like the Paradise flycatcher. Big lakes in Anchetti and Hosur areas also attract large number of migratory birds like Painted storks, Teals etc. In addition to these birds and mammals, there are variety of butterflies, giant spiders etc. that are coming under endangered list. Kodakkarai shoal forest in Denkanikottai Taluk is known for large scale migratory butterflies during a particular season; then one can observe thousands of migratory butterflies passing through this forest like a passing cloud.

Demographics

As of 2009 India census,^[1] Denkanikottai had a population of 28,334. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Denkanikottai has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 70% and, female literacy is 57%. In Denkanikottai, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age. It was once primarily inhabited by the Irula tribes.The size of this taluk is bigger than Kanyakumari district.

References