Theni district holds the beauty of nature with the surrounding greenery, historical temples and famous water falls. This is one of the districts of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu and it is also located in the southern parts of the Tamil Nadu state. The Theni district is surrounded by the Western Ghats, with it green stretches of cultivated lands and tea gardens. Silk cotton, coffee seeds, soft towels, cardamom, mango, are the main produce of the district. This district is the primary route for the tourist bound from Madurai to Kochi via Bodinayakanur and Munnar and Madurai to Thekkadi wildlife sanctuary. The district of Theni is having two revenues, five revenue taluks, seventeen revenue firkas and one hundred and thirteen revenue villages. There are six municipalities in this district and eight panchayat unions. While there are twenty two town panchayats, the number of Village panchayat is one hundred and thirty.
History of Theni District
The district of Theni in the state of Tamil Nadu has been formed after the bifurcation from the erstwhile Madurai district. As a result of the bifurcation, one new revenue division with headquarters at Uthamapalayam and two new taluks at Theni and Bodinaickanur were also created with effect from 01st of January 1997. The first collector of the district was Dr.K.Satyagopal (IAS). The Theni Municipal town was only a firka headquarters till 31st of December 1996 and after the formation of the new district, Theni Municipal town was upgraded to become a taluk and district headquarters from 1st January 1997.
Geography of Theni District
The district of Theni lies between nine degree thirty minutes and ten degree thirty minutes on the North latitude and between seventy seven degree and seventy eight degree thirty minutes to the East longitude. The total area covered by this district is 3242.3 square kilometers. The maximum temperature experienced in this district is 40.5 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature over here is 16 degree Celsius. The total area under cultivation in the district of Theni is 126148 hectares. The major food crops grown in this district include Paddy, Bajra, Jowar, Ragi, Samai, Maize, Redgram, Blackgram, Cowpea, Greengram, Lablab and Kollu. The cash crops grown in the Theni district include Cardamom, Chillies, Arecanut, Pepper, Tamarind, Sugarcane, Coriander, Banana, Mango, Guava, Grapes, Jackfruit, Sappotta, Onion, Brinjal, Beetroot, Ladies Finger, Cotton, Tomatoes, Silk Cotton, Coconut, Groundnut, Sunflower, Coffee seeds, Betel Leaves, Tea, etc.
Demography of Theni District
According to the population census 2011, Theni District had a population of 1,245,899. Out of which the male and female of Theni District were 625,683 and 620,216 respectively. The average literacy rate of Theni District in 2011 was 77.26 compared to 71.58 of 2001. The total literates in Theni District were 870,080. Out of which the male and female were 479,403 and 390,677 respectively.
Temples of Theni District
The traditional festivals and celebrations at the temples of the district of Theni attract a large number of pilgrims every year. Among the festivals celebrated, the Masi Maham and Shivarathri are the two important festivals which are celebrated in the Kamatchi Amman temple during the months of February-March. Some of the notable temples in this district are Gowmariamman temple, Velappar temple, Saneeswaran temple, Bathrakaliamman temple, Sivakami Amman temple, Paramasivan temple, Veerappa Ayyanar temple, Suruli Andavar temple, etc.
Festivals in Theni District
One of the major festivals in this district is Sri Mavoothu Vellalar Chithrai Festival which is celebrated at Andipatti in the district of Theni in the month of April every year. This is celebrated which lots of enthusiasm. Some of the other major festivals which are celebrated with lots of pomp and glory are Gowmariamman Festival, Velappar Festival, Saneeswaran Adi Festival, Paramasivam temple Festival and Kamatchiamman Maha Sivarathiri Festival.
Tourism in Theni district
Resounding cascades, silver-lined clouds resting a top billiard green hill tops, sheer rock faces and temples of antiquity are the stuff which differentiates the tourist destination of Theni district from others. This district in the Southern part of Tamil Nadu state is one of the choicest tourist destinations with a beautiful mixture of tourist attractions like captivating dams, waterfalls and countless pilgrim centers. Some of the most famous toruist attractions of this district are Tiger Falls, Vaigai Dam, Cloud Land Falls, Sothupparai Dam, Kumbakkarai Falls, Velli Malai, Suruli Falls, Mullaiperiyar Dam, Kodaikanal, Gandhi Museum, etc.
The district of Theni is thus one of the well-known districts of the state of Tamil Nadu which is filled with beautiful temples and natural beauties like water falls, etc. This district in the southern parts of the state of Tamil Nadu is also known for the export of high quality mangoes to foreign countries.
