Dharmapuri district

Dharmapuri District
District in Tamil Nadu


Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 12°7′33.6″N 78°9′14.4″E / 12.126000°N 78.154000°E / 12.126000; 78.154000Coordinates: 12°7′33.6″N 78°9′14.4″E / 12.126000°N 78.154000°E / 12.126000; 78.154000
Country  India
Region Kongu Nadu
Established Oct 10, 1965
Founded by Adhiyaman King
Headquarters Dharmapuri
Revenue division Dharmapuri, Harur
Government
 • Collector K. Vivekanandan, IAS
 • Superintendent of Police B Gangadhar, IPS
Area
 • Total 4,497.77 km2 (1,736.60 sq mi)
Area rank 11
Population (2011)
 • Total 1,506,843
 • Rank 24
 • Density 340/km2 (870/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 636 701
Telephone code 04342
ISO 3166 code [[ISO 3166-2:IN|]]
Vehicle registration TN-29[1]
Largest city Dharmapuri
Largest metro Dharmapuri
Central location: 12°7′N 78°9′E / 12.117°N 78.150°E / 12.117; 78.150
Website dharmapuri.nic.in

Dharmapuri District is a district in Kongu Nadu of Tamil Nadu state in Western region part of Tamilnadu in Southindia. It is the first district to be split from Salem district in Tamil Nadu after the independence of India on Oct 10,1965 . The Other major towns in the district are Karimangalam, Palacode, Pennagaram, Harur and Pappireddipatti. Dharmapuri town is historically called "Tagadur".

Etymology

Dharmapuri was called as Tagadur during the Sangam era. The name Tagadur is from two Tamil words, "Thagadu" refers to Iron (Iron ore), "Oor" refers to Place. The name Tagadur is changed to Dharmapuri after the Sangam period, possibly during Vijayanagar empire or Mysore empire period. Still the name Tagadur is in use among some people of Dharmapuri.

History

The region is believed to have been controlled by the Pallava regime in the 8th century. The Rashtrakutas took over in the 9th century. The Rashtrakutas were defeated by the Cholas in the 11th century, and subsequently the district came under the Chola sphere of governance.[2]

During 18th century present day Dharmapuri district was under Mysore kingdom and it was called as Baramahal. As per the treaty of Seringapatam (signed on 18 March 1792) after Third Anglo-Mysore War, Tipu Sultan agreed to give part of his territories including the present Dharmapuri district to the British East India Company which was then merged into Madras Presidency.

It was part of the Salem district under British rule, until the founding of Dharmapuri district on 2 October 1965. The Dharmapuri district was split into Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts in 2004.[2] Many historical rock sculptures are found in this district. Modhur, a village near Dharmapuri has remains that date back to the Neolithic age. A government museum in Dharmapuri town displays some of these significant sculptures for people's view.

Geography

The district is located between latitudes N 11 47’ and 12 33’ and longitudes E 77 02’ and 78 40’. Occupies an area of 4497.77 km² (i.e. 3.46% of Tamil Nadu) and has a population of 2,856,300 (as of 2001). It is bounded on the north by Krishnagiri District, on the east by Tiruvannamalai District and Viluppuram District districts, on the south by Salem District, and on the west by Karnataka's Chamarajanagar District. The Whole district is surrounded by hills and forests.The terrain of dharmapuri is of rolling plains type. Dharmapuri is located on the geographically important area in south India.

Forests

The whole district is predominantly covered with forests. Spider valley located near Hogenakkal is home to many wild animals. The district falls in the migratory path of elephants. Man and elephant conflicts are most common in these parts. Many tribal communities depend on these forests. Vathalmalai, a mountain hamlet on top of Shervarayan hill chain has suitable conditions to cultivate coffee and jack fruit. Wild boars and spotted deers are commonly seen in Morappur and Harur forest region. Gaurs sometimes stroll near villages near Bommidi region. Thoppur ghat section has one of the scenic highways surrounded by mountains and forests. This district lies in a geography where both Western and Eastern ghats make their presence.

Governance

Dharmapuri is the district headquarters. The district has been divided into two revenue divisions namely Dharmapuri and Harur consisting 5 taluks.

Administrative divisions

Revenue divisions: Dharmapuri and Harur.

Revenue taluks: Dharmapuri, Harur, Karimangalam, Nallampalli, Palacode, Pappireddipatti, Pennagaram.

Town Panchayats: Harur, Marandahalli, Bommidi, Palakkodu, Pennagaram, Karimangalam, Kambainallur, Papparapatti, Kadathur, Pappireddipatti.

Panchayat Unions: Dharmapuri, Harur, Nallampalli, Palakkodu, Pennagaram, Karimangalam, Morappur, Pappireddipatti.

Demographics

According to 2011 census, Dharmapuri district had a population of 1,506,843 with a sex-ratio of 946 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[3] A total of 167,940 were under the age of six, constituting 87,777 males and 80,163 females. The current average literacy of the district was 91.2% compared to the national average of 72.99%.[3] The district had a total of 375,873 households. There were a total of 751,170 workers, comprising 191,080 cultivators, 217,062 main agricultural labourers, 11,308 in house hold industries, 233,546 other workers, 98,174 marginal workers, 10,248 marginal cultivators, 50,283 marginal agricultural labourers, 4,033 marginal workers in household industries and 33,610 other marginal workers.[4] The population of the district is roughly equal to the nation of Gabon[5] or the US state of Hawaii.[6]

Economy

Agriculture

Farm lands, near Pappireddipatti

Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts account for more than 60 -70% total mango production in Tamil Nadu.[7] It is a major producer of Ragi and saamai crops in the state. Exotic crops like dates are also being cultivated by some farmers in the areas around Ariyakulam.

Crop Area under cultivation(in hect.) in %
Paddy (Sornavari / Kuruvai / Kar / Samba / Thallady / Pisanam/ Navarai / Kodai) 9,465 5.60%
Millets(Ragi) 18,243 10.80%
Other Minor Millets 69,162 40.90%
Pulses 40,441 23.90%
Sugar Cane 11,971 07.10%
Mango 6,506 03.80%
Coconut 7,037 04.20%
Tamarind 1,197 00.70%
Other Crops 5,067 03.00%
Total 1,69,089 km

Education

Dharmapuri district shows vigorous increasing performance in literacy and education. Where by the year 2011 it secured last position in Tamil Nadu by scoring 62%, whereas by the year 2016 it showed 92% literacy by securing 12th rank in Tamil Nadu out of 32. It also shows vigorous increase in educational hubs by having colleges and school in various fields of education. Some of the major educational institutes are given below:

Medical Fields

Engineering Fields

Arts & Science colleges

Dharmapuri district has around 30 arts & science colleges, including women's colleges.

Periyar University

Periyar University College of Arts and Science, Pappireddipatti

CBSE & ICSE schools

Dharmapuri district has around 12 schools including CBSE & ICSE.

TN Board schools

Dharmapuri district has more than 500 TN Board based schools, including both government and private schools.

Tourism

Hogenakkal Falls is located in the Dharmapuri district. Medicinal baths, boat rides, oil massage, fish fry and Water fall from hills so it's a major tourist attraction. Sometimes referred to as the "Niagara Falls of India," Carbonatite rocks in this site are considered to be the oldest of its kind in South Asia and one of the oldest in the world.[8] The Government of Tamil Nadu made a proposal to convert the falls into providing drinking water for the state. The Kaveri river flows into the state through the district, and Hogenakkal, a town situated 46km from Dharmapuri is the site where the river drops into as a scenic waterfall.

Hill-temple at Theerthamalai in Harur taluk which is a sacred religious place for the Hindus, and which had been existent right from the times of the Chola and the Vijayanagara empires.[9]

Adhiyamankottai : Tourists visiting the site can see ruins of the roughly oval shaped fort. Another attraction close to this site is the Chenraya Perumal temple, which is believed to have been constructed by King Krishna Devaraya as well as the Hoysala kings. The MANDAPAM within the temple leads to the sanctum sanctorum, where tourists can see paintings depicting the scenes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Also famous temple name called KALABAIRAVAR TEMPLE is located.

Kottai Kovil located on the northern side of Dharmapuri, is temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is known among the tourists for its rare sculptures and paintings. One of the highlights of this temple is the 'Hanging pillar'. As per the locale belief, a secret passage in this temple connects it to Adhiyamankottai

Vathalmalai or Vytla Hills (Tamil: வத்தல்மலை) is a village in Dharmapuri taluk and Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu having an area measuring nearly 225 km². Most of the native flora and fauna of Vytla have disappeared due to severe habitat fragmentation resultant from the creation of the plantations. However, some species continue to survive and thrive in several protected areas nearby, include Sheverayan Hills (Yercaud). These protected areas are especially known for several threatened and endemic species including Nilgiri Thar, the Grizzled Giant Squirrel, the Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, the Gaur, wild pig, the Nilgiri langur, the Sambar, and the Neelakurinji (that blossoms only once in twelve years). It is a small village situated at 3600 ft height (MSL). It is 25 km away from Dharmapuri Town (17km to reach bottom of the hill and 8km to hill top).

Dharmapuri Archaeological Museum: Many historical things available in this museum

Sri Hanuman (Anjaneya) Temple at Muthampatti which is located 14 Kms From Dharmapuri City. The temple is located in Forest near Muthampatti Railway Station (2Kms). Very Peaceful Place. We can also Feed Monkeys. Really we can get Peace of Mind.

Also Nagavadhi Dam, Thoppayaru Dam (Located nearby Thoppur,Dharmapuri) and many more dams are in Dharmapuri to visit.

References

  1. ↑ www.tn.gov.in
  2. 1 2 "History of Dharmapuri District". Dharmapuri District Official TN Website. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Census Info 2011 Final population totals". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Census Info 2011 Final population totals – Dharmapuri district". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  5. ↑ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Retrieved 2011-10-01. Gabon 1,576,665
  6. ↑ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2011-09-30. Hawaii 1,360,301
  7. ↑ "Mango cultivation in TamilNadu(Dharmapuri & Krishnagiri Districts)". National Horticulture Board, Government Of INDIA.
  8. ↑ Natarajana, M; Bhaskar Rao, B; Parthasarathy, R; Kumar, Anil; Gopalan, K (1994). "2.0 Ga old pyroxenite-carbonatite complex of Hogenakkal, Tamil Nadu, South India". Precambrian Research. 65 (1–4): 167–81. doi:10.1016/0301-9268(94)90104-X. INIST:3910799.
  9. ↑ "Dharmapuri". tamilnadutourism.org. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

Dharmapuri- Idhu Namba Ooru Machi

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