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.