Introduction

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 Theni district attract thousands of pilgrims every year. Theni District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in South India. Theni district is famous for its great number of temples. Kalatheeswarar Gnanamman Temple, Veerapandi Gowmariamman Temple, Kamatchipuram Sri Pathira Kaliyamman Temple, Chinnamanur Sivagamiamman Temple, Suruli Vellapar Temple, Mallingar Swamy Temple are only some of the many temples of Theni district.

Kuchanur Saneeswarar Temple, Theertha thotti Subramanya Temple, Periyakulam Balasubramanya Temple, Devadanapatti Kamatchi Amman Temple, Mavoothu Vellappar Temple, Karuppuswami Temple are some temples of Theni district popular for its architecture and relief features. The celebration of Gowmariyamman temple festival at Veerapani during the month of May is very famous in the region. Veerappa Ayyanar festival at Theni, Kamatchi Amman festival at Devadhanapatti temple and Saneeswaran Temple festival at Kuchanoor are the most honoured 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 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. Other important festivals celebrated in the temples of Theni district are the Masi Maham and Shivarathri, which are celebrated in the Kamatchi Amman Temple during the months of February-March.

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

Tourism in Theni district offers a mixture of the scenic beauty as well as several beautifully constructed old temples. The beautiful natural settings with green hill tops and temples of antiquity are among the many attractions with make the district of Theni a suitable and unique tourist destination. These places of interest warm the soul and provide a suitable balm to the mind. Rustic atmosphere, hospitality of the local populace along with their pastoral way of life makes the destination in this district a tourists` dream. This district in the Southern part of Tamil Nadu state is one among the most prime tourist delights and destinations with a pleasant mixture of tourist attractions like captivating dams, waterfalls and several pilgrim centers.

Pilgrimage Tourism in Theni District
Temples of Theni district form the major attractions for pilgrims coming from different parts of the state as well as from various other parts of India. The Vellappar temple at Mavoothu in the Theni district is one of the major attractions. It is located in the Varushanad hill ranges and it is at a distance of twenty kilometers from Andipatti. Another important tourist destination is Devadanapatti. Here the Kamatchi Amman temple is located on the banks of the Manjal River. The temple is at a distance of three kilometres from Devadanapatti. The doors to the sanctum sanctorum in this temple are never opened, and all the pujas are offered only to the portals. In Periyakulam is located the Arulmigu Balasubramanya temple. The temple was erected by Rajendra Chola about two thousand years ago. Gowmariamman temple situated at Veerapandi in the district of Theni attracts many pilgrims. This is the fourteenth century temple which was constructed by the Pandya King Veerapandi. The temple is about eight kilometres from Theni. The Sivagamiamman temple is situated on the banks of the Mullai River in Chinnamanur is worth visiting in this district. In Uthamapalayam there are two old temples. One of the temples is known as Sri Kaalahasthiishwara Swami temple and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the other one is known as Sri Narasimha Swami temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There is a temple on a hill top at Palani and it is also one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya.

Nature Tourism in Theni District
There are various natural falls and forest areas which form the major tourist attractions in the district of Theni in the Tamil Nadu state. One of the most famous falls is the Kumbakkarai falls. It offers a breathtaking view of the fascinating interaction between solid rocks and gushing water. Located on the foothills of the Kodaikanal hills, it is eight kilometers away from Periyakulam. The water from these falls is full of the goodness of mineral and herbs. Another well-known falls in this district is the Suruli falls. Water falls from a height of one hundred and fifty feet and gathers into a pool and then it flows for a short distance and again plummets to a depth of forty feet. It thus offers a spectacular sight of the raw and wild beauty of nature. The dense forest surrounding the falls offers an awesome backdrop. The beauty of this fall is also mentioned in the great Tamil Epic, Silappathikaram written by poet Ilango. Apart from the falls there are also several other tourist attractions like Meghamalai. It is a scenic place which is dotted with tea estates and cardamom plantations. Located at an elevation of fifteen hundred meters above sea level, it is rich in flora and fauna. Velli Malai is a densely forested place filled with natural flora and fauna and it is situated at a distance of 6.5 kilometres from Theni in the Varushanadu hill ranges.

Leisure Tourism in Theni District
This district include the Cloud Land Falls (Chinna Suruli). It is located at a distance of fifty four kilometres from Theni near Kombaithozhu Village. The Tiger falls is a dainty fall on the route to Munnar between Bodi and Bodimettu from Theni. These attract a large number of tourists from different parts of the state. One of the most prominent destinations for the tourists in the district of Theni is Kodaikkanal. It is located at the southern tip of the upper Palani hills in the Western Ghats. This picturesque hill station is one of the most famous tourist spots in southern India. Situated at a height of two thousand one hundred and thirty three meters above sea level, Kodai, as it is popularly known, is set amidst the wooded slopes and `Shola` forests of the ghats. The climate is very pleasant at this place throughout the year.

The Theni district is thus one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is surrounded by the Western Ghats, with its ubiquitous green stretches of cultivated lands and tea gardens. Silk cotton, soft towels, coffee seeds, cardamom, mango, are the main produce of the district. The district is the main route for the tourist bound from Madurai to Kochi via Bodinayakanur and Munnar and Madurai to Thekkadi wildlife sanctuary. A number of other attractions in this district include the Vaigai Dam, Sothupparai Dam, Mullaiperiyar Dam, etc.