Theni district

This article is about the district. For its eponymous headquarters, see Theni.

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District of Tamil Nadu in India

Theni district

District of Tamil Nadu

Clockwise from top-left: Vaigai Dam, Anumandharaayapperumaal temple, Meghamalai, view of Theni Valley from Kolukkumalai, Manjalar Dam

Location in Tamil Nadu

Theni district

Coordinates: 9.9330° N, 77.4702° E
Country|  India
State|  Tamil Nadu
Established| 7 July 1997[1]
Headquarters| Theni
Talukas| Andipatti, Bodinayakanur, Periyakulam, Theni, Uthamapalayam[2]
Government

• District Collector| RV Shajeevana Indian Administrative Service took charge on 05.02.2023 IAS[3][4]
Area

• District of Tamil Nadu| 2,868 km2 (1,107 sq mi)
• Rank| 3007
Population

(2011)[5]

• District of Tamil Nadu| 1,245,899
• Density| 430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
• Metro

| 591,841
Time zone| UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN|

625531

Telephone code| 04546
ISO 3166 code| ISO 3166-2:IN
Vehicle registration| TN-60(Theni), TN-60Z(Uttamapalayam)
Coastline| 0 kilometres (0 mi)
Largest city| Theni
Sex ratio| M-50.5%/F-49.5% ♂/♀
Literacy| 71.58%
Legislature type| elected
Legislature Strength| 5
Precipitation| 833.5 millimetres (32.81 in)
Avg. summer temperature| 40.5 °C (104.9 °F)
Avg. winter temperature| 15 °C (59 °F)
Website|

* www.theni.nic.in
* www.theni.org

Theni District is one of the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu state in India. Well protected by the scenic hill locks, the district is located besides Madurai district. The town of Theni is the district headquarters. The district is divided into two natural divisions: The hilly areas are constituted by parts of the five taluk's Theni, Bodinayakanur, Periyakulam, Uthamapalayam and Andipatti with thick vegetation and perennial streams from the hills on the western side and Cumbum valley which lies in Uthamapalayam taluk.[6] As of 2011, Theni district had a population of 1,245,899 with a sex ratio of 980 females for every 1,000 males.

## History[edit]

Theni District was formed by the bifurcation from the former Madurai District as per G.O. Ms. No. 679 Revenue Department dated 7 July 1996. Consequent to the bifurcation, one new Revenue Division with headquarters at Uthamapalayam and two new Taluks at Theni and Bodinayakanur were also created with effect from 1 January 1997. Theni Municipal town was only a firka headquarters until 31 December 1996. Consequent to the formation of the new District, Theni Municipal Town was upgraded as the Taluk and District headquarters on 1 January 1997.[7]

The region covered by present-day Theni District was sparsely populated before the 1900s. In 1886 Mullaperiyar dam project bought some part of the water from Periyar River downhill to the Cumbum Valley and merged it into the Mullayar River. This project helped more people to settle down in Cumbum Valley. Also to be noted that Theni was itself was a small though lesser-known town by the 1900s. After the Mullai-Periyar merger project, many people from nearby arid regions (Sivakasi, Kovilpatti, Virudhunagar, Sattur and several nearby towns) settled in Cumbum Valley (present day Theni District). So there was influx of people by the 1890s to 1920s. Bodi and Periyakulam were famous places at that time. Later Theni developed rapidly due to commerce.

## Geography[edit]

Manjalar Dam Manjalaru Dam. Cumbum Valley.

The 2,889 km2 (1,115 sq mi) district lies at the foot of the Western Ghats between 9' 39' and 10' 30' North latitude and between 77' 00' and 78' 30' of East Longitude. Central location: 10°04′N 77°45′E﻿ / ﻿10.067°N 77.750°E﻿ / 10.067; 77.750. The district is bounded by Dindigul District to the north, Madurai District to the east, Virudhunagar District to the southwest, and Idukki district of the Kerala State to the west. The district is home to Theni, Periyakulam, Bodinayakanur, Cumbum, Uthamapalayam, Kombai, Gudalur, Gandamanur, Chinnamanur, Kuchanur, Andipatti, Rasingapuram, Thevaram, Pottipuram, Ramakrishnapuram, B. Ammapatti, Lakshmipuram, Ambasamudram, Govindanagaram, Mayladumparai,Srirengapuram, Venkadachalapuram, K.Pudupatti, Devadhanapatti, Varusanadu, Odaipatti, Erasakkanayackanur and several other small villages like Gohilapuram, Pathirakalipuram, Sukkangalpatti, Kamarajapuram, Sadaiyalpatti, Meenatchipuram, Melasindalaichery, Hanumanthanpatty, Pallavarayan Patti, Genguvarpatti, Jeyamangalam and Kamatchipuram.

It is diversified by several ranges and hills. Many villages likes Sangakonampatti are depends only on agricultural incomes. A range of hills which runs parallel to Western Ghats from north to south separate it from the neighboring state of Kerala.[8]

### Climate[edit]

In the plains, the temperatures range from a minimum of 15 °C (59 °F) to a maximum of 40 °C (104 °F).[citation needed] In the hills the temperatures can range from as low as 4–5 °C (39–41 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F). The district is known for its salubrious climate, hills and lakes.[citation needed]

### Rivers and dams[edit]

The Vaigai River, Kottagudi River, Varaganathi River, Shanmuganathi River and Manjalar River flow through the district. The important reservoirs in the district are Lower Periyar Dam, Vaigai Dam, Shanmuganathi Dam and Sothuparai Dam.[9]

## Politics[edit]

This section is transcluded from 16th Tamil Nadu Assembly. (edit | history)

District  | No.  | Constituency  | Name  | Party  | Alliance  | Remarks

|
|
|
|
|
|

Theni | 198  | Andipatti | A. Maharajan  |  | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |  | INDIA |
199  | Periyakulam (SC) | K. S. Saravana Kumar |  | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |  | INDIA |
200  | Bodinayakanur | O. Panneerselvam |  | Independent |  | Independent |
201  | Cumbum | N. Eramakrishnan |  | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |  | INDIA |

## Economy[edit]

Paddy fields across the backdrop of the Western Ghats Coconut groves in Theni District

The economy of Theni district is mostly agricultural. Utilisation of land area for cultivation in the district is 40.33%.[6]: 29 The principal crop production (in tonnes) in 2005-2006 were sugarcane 1,201,221, cotton 95,360 (561 bales of 170. kg lint each), rice (paddy) 66,093, millets and other cereals 57,081, pulses 6,677, groundnut 4,021 and gingelly 325.[10] Silk, Banana, Coconut, Tea, Coffee, Cardamom, Grapes and Mangoes are other main produce of the district.[11] even though this place is economically good. Kolukkumalai located in Theni district atop the Western ghats is the home to the highest tea plantation in the world. Cumbum Valley is a major centre for grape production with 4,000 small farmers producing over 90,000 tonnes of Muscat grapes, locally known as panneer dhrakshai, and about 10,000 tonnes of Thomson seedless grapes. The unique feature here is that the grapes are harvested throughout the year, while in most grape growing centres elsewhere the season ends with summer.

Grapes Cultivation.

Cotton Spinning Mills and Sugar Mills are the major industries in this district. In Andipatti Taluk Handloom weaving and power looms are flourishing. In Uthamapalayam Taluk, the Highwavis Estate produces an important amount of Tea. Bodinayakanur is a major market place (Auction Centres) for cardamom, coffee, tea and black pepper. This city is also called "Cardamom City" because of the large quantity of cardamom trade in this area. It has an auction centre for cardamom.[8]

The Periyar and Surliar Hydro Power Stations and the Vaigai Micro Hydro Power Station have 181 MW installed capacity and actual power generation of 494 MW in 1996 in this district.[6]: 15 Theni is one of the active business hubs in the western side of Tamil Nadu, inviting more industries to its locality. The district currently has 41.09 km of Metre gauge track serving 3 Railway Stations which connect to Madurai.[6]: 29 The Teni Junction Railway Station is the most important railway station in the district.

## Forest resources[edit]

Meghamalai Falls.

The forest area in Theni district is about 33.70%. There are 27 forest areas in the district, constituting a total area of 795.81 km2 (307.26 sq mi). Of these, 19 areas fall under the Reserve Forest category with 255.44 km2 (98.63 sq mi) and 8 areas under Reserve Land category with 540.37 km2 (208.64 sq mi). Total area of forest under green cover classification was 806.86 km2 (311.53 sq mi). Dense forest and sparse forest are 292.81 km2 (113.05 sq mi) and 22.43 km2 (8.66 sq mi), respectively. There is no unclassed forest type in the district. About 44.65 km2 (17.24 sq mi) of artificial forest area are cultivated in the district. Wattle, softwood, fuel wood, cashew, neem, and tamarind are the main forest plantation species in the district.[6] The forest area in the district is 1,179.29 km2 (455.33 sq mi), which is 40.98% of the total geographical area of the district.[12] The Meghamalai Wildlife sanctuary, Srivilliputhur elephant reserve, and part of Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary are situated in Theni district.

There has been no conservation of biological resources in the district. The information of wild life census in Theni district is yet to be made available.[6]

## Demographics[edit]

Religions in Theni district (2011)[13]

Religion |  | Percent
Hinduism |

| 92.22%
Islam |

| 4.56%
Christianity |

| 3.02%
Other or not stated |

| 0.20%

According to 2011 census, Theni district had a population of 1,245,899 with a sex-ratio of 991 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929. 53.81% of the population lived in urban areas.[14] A total of 119,661 were under the age of six, constituting 61,873 males and 57,788 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 20.72% and 0.15% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the district was 69.84%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[14] The district had a total of 338,112 households. There were a total of 591,642 workers, comprising 36,371 cultivators, 275,585 main agricultural labourers, 12,714 in house hold industries, 205,921 other workers, 61,051 marginal workers, 1,996 marginal cultivators, 39,576 marginal agricultural labourers, 2,225 marginal workers in household industries and 17,254 other marginal workers.[15]

Languages of Theni district (2011)[16]

Tamil (79.04%)

Telugu (12.75%)

Kannada (7.86%)

Others (0.35%)

At the time of the 2011 census, 79.04% of the population spoke Tamil, 12.75% Telugu and 7.86% Kannada as their first language.[16]

## Places of interest[edit]

Periyakulam, Theni, Uthamapalayam, Cumbum, and Bodinayakanur are charming towns in the district. Cascades, silver-lined clouds resting atop green hill tops, sheer rock faces and temples of antiquity distinguish these places.[17]

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Vaigai Dam

1. Kolukku Malai (~64 31km from Theni)
2. Vaigai Dam (~16 km from Theni)
3. Suruli falls (~48 km from Theni)
4. Manjalar Dam(~33 km from Theni)
5. Meghamalai Hill (~60 km from Theni)
6. Peyathevar Canal, Gudalur Hill (~50 km from Theni)
7. Bodi Mettu Hill (~41 km from Theni)
8. Kumbakarai Falls (~28 km from Theni)
9. Sothuparai Dam (~26 km from Theni)
10. Shanmuganathi Dam (~39 km from Theni)
11. Chinna Suruli falls (~1 km from Theni)
12. Ramakkal Mettu(~3 km from Theni)
13. Kurankani (~ 31km from Theni)
14. HighWavys (~56 km from Theni)
15. T.Rajagopalanpatty (~1 km from Theni)

Shanmuganathi Dam

## Festivals[edit]

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Bullock cart race held in Theni district

* The Karuppaswamy festival celebration at Anaipatti.
* Arilmigu Krishnan Kovil Thiruvizha in Purattasi thingal at Lakshmipuram (Jangal Patti Panchayat).
* B.Ammapatti, Kaliamman kovil is the famous god to solve problems and has a great festival on 1 April.
* The Ramzan Peru naal Thozhuhai at Periyakulam,[18] Uthamapalayam, Cumbum, Devadhanapatti, Gudalur, Kottur, Bodinayakanur, Chinnamanur, Batalagundu in Theni.
* The celebration of Gowmariyamman temple festival at Veerapandi and Cumbum during the month of May.
* Shri Bathirakaliyamman Chiththirai Thiruvizha Festival at Bathirakalipuram and visuvasapuram near Bodi.
* Shri Veerappa Ayyanar Festival during Chiththirai Thiruvizha at Theni-Allinagaram.
* Kamatchi Amman festival at Devadhanapatti and Suyambu Saneeswara Bagavan and the month of Aadi every friday celebration on Temple festival at Kuchanoor.
* Apart from Pongal celebrations in other areas, the birthday of John Pennycuick who built the MullaiPeriyar Dam is celebrated in Surulipatty[19] and other places.
* Theni district is known for its celebration of Pongal, which is considered to be one of the most important festivals of Tamil Nadu. Pallavarayanpatti, Ayyampatti and Pudupatti is known for its Jallikattu during the Pongal festival.[20]
* Another important festival is Chitra Pournima festival, which is celebrated at Sri Mangala Devi Kannagi temple, on the Western Ghats near Gudalur during the month of May.[21]
* Other important festivals of the region are festivals of Masi Maham and Shivarathri which are celebrated in the Kamatchi Amman Temple during the months of February–March and kottur Ekadasi.[22]
* Christmas and New Year are celebrated in Anaimalayanpatty.[citation needed]
* Chithirai Thiruvizha in which Lord Aalagar enters in the Vaigai river at Ambasamudram & Govinda Nagaram.
* Pankuni Thiruvizha in Gandamanur.
* Arulmigu Pattalamman, Kaliyamman, Karuppasamy temple festival in Kattunaickenpatty
* Uppukottai Varatharaja Perumal Kovil.
* Our Lady of Snow's Church festival celebration at Royappanpatti in the month of August.[23]
* Holy spirit church in Hanumanthanpatti, they celebrate St. Xavier festival on 2 December every year.[24]
* Manthaiyamman temple festival is celebrated in Gudalur(Melagudalur) of Theni district.
* Srinivasaka Perumal Kovil temple festival is celebrated in Silamalai(Bodi Taluk) of Theni district.
* Sri Guru Boga Eswara Ananda Swami is offering Pooja to Lord Shanmuganatha SwamiThai Poosam Festival at Shanmuganathar Temple at Kamayagoundanpatti. [25]Siddar Sri Guru Boga Eswara Ananda Swami had visited this Temple during Thai Poosam Festival.

## Forestry[edit]

Theni is the orchid of Tamil Nadu. It has numerous green lands like the Western Ghats stretching from Kodaikanal to Kumily via Periyakulam. Theni District has the Western Ghats as its Western Boundary.[26] Theni District has many tourist spots like Kumbakarai Falls, Sothuparai Dam, Vaigai Dam, Manjalaaru Dam, Kurathi Falls, which are originating from the Western Gahats. Theni District is having the other tourist attractive places like Veerapandi Gowmariyamman temple, Surulipatti kailasanaathar temple, Anumanthampatti Hanuman kovil, Periyakulam Balasubramanian Periya kovil.[27]

## Tamil Movies based on Theni District[edit]

Some of the Famous Cinema Directors, Music Directors and Actors hail from Theni District. Many movies were shot here. The titles of some of the famous Movies are: "Pithamagan", "Avan-ivan", "Suntharapandiyan", "Veeralaksumi", "Varuthapadatha Vaalipar Sangam", "Naan kadavul". These Movies were mostly directed by Director Bala.[28]

## Notable people[edit]

For people from Theni town itself, see Theni, these are people from the surrounding area

* Gangai Amaran \- music composer, singer, lyricist, writer, film director and actor, born in Pannaipuram
* Bala \- director, screenwriter, producer
* Bharathiraja \- movie director, screenwriter, producer, actor
* Dhanush \- film actor, director, screenwriter, lyricist, singer
* N. Eramakrishnan MLA, Cumbum
* Tarun Gopi \- actor, film director, script writer
* Ilaiyaraaja \- music director, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, orchestrator, conductor-arranger and lyricist
* Raj Kapoor \- director, actor
* Raveendranath Kumar \- Member of parliament
* Theni Kunjarammal \- actor, singer, folk performer / singer
* R. Muthuraman \- actor
* O. Panneerselvam \- former Chief Minister, Deputy CM and Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu State
* Singam Puli \- actor, comedian, film director, script writer
* P. T. Rajan \- former CM of Madras state
* Rajashekar \- actor
* Selvaraghavan \- film director, lyricist, screenwriter
* Sendrayan \- actor
* Vairamuthu \- Tamil poet, lyricist, author

## See also[edit]

* Kombai, Tamil Nadu
* List of districts of Tamil Nadu

## References[edit]

1. ^ "District Census Handbook - Theni" (PDF). Retrieved 13 July 2019.
2. ^ "Taluks of Tamil Nadu". Retrieved 13 July 2019.
3. ^ "District Collectors of Tamil Nadu". Retrieved 13 July 2019.
4. ^ "Theni District". Theni District. 28 December 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
5. ^ "2011 Warsaw of Poland" (Excel). Indian government. 16 April 2011.
6. ^ a b c d e f National Environmental Information System (India). "Environment Profile for Theni district" (PDF). ENVIS. pp. 1–29. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
7. ^ M. Subramani. "History of Theni District". thenitimes.sitesled.com. pp. history p1/2. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
8. ^ a b M.Subramani. "History of Theni District". thenitimes.sitesled.com. pp. history p2/2. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
9. ^ "Shanmuganathi Dam, Theni | Timings, How to Reach | Holidify". www.holidify.com. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
10. ^ Collectorate staff (2006–2007). "District Profile Theni District" (PDF). District Collectorate, Theni. pp. 1–15. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
11. ^ Collectorate staff (2006–2007). "District Statistical Handbook 2006-2007 Theni District" (PDF). District Collectorate, Theni. pp. 1–47. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
12. ^ Geomatics (2019). TamilNadu State of Forest Report (PDF). TamilNadu Forest Department. p. Table 3. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
13. ^ "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Tamil Nadu". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
14. ^ a b "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.
15. ^ "Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Theni district". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
16. ^ a b "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Tamil Nadu". Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
17. ^ http://www.theni.nic.in/tourism.html[bare URL]
18. ^ "Ramjan Festival".
19. ^ Kandaswamy, Deepa (27 August 2016). "John Pennycuick: The man who built the Mullaiperiyar dam". mint. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
20. ^ Tamil Nadu Holds Bull-Taming Sport Jallikattu In Madurai, retrieved 7 February 2023
21. ^ "Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple | Theni District | India". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
22. ^ "Kamatchi Amman Temple Devadanapatti".
23. ^ ""Our Only Romantic Festival":", Carnival in Tel Aviv, Academic Studies Press, pp. 138–162, 20 March 2020, retrieved 7 February 2023
24. ^ "Holy Spirit Church: Hanumanthampatti – Archdiocese of Madurai". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
25. ^ "Thaipoosam - Tamilnadu Tourism Travels". www.tamilnadutourism.com. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
26. ^ "Western Ghats | Mountains, Definition, & Description | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
27. ^ "10 BEST Places to Visit in Theni - UPDATED 2023 (with Photos & Reviews)". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
28. ^ "The Tamil Directors Proved Their Distinctiveness in Their First Film – FilmiBeat". www.filmibeat.com. 30 January 2023. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.

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