General Profile

Dharampuri district details:

• Location: Dharmapuri district is located in Tamil Nadu with its administrative headquarters in Dharmapuri town.
• Historical Background:
  • During the Sangam era, it was known as Dhagadur or Tagadur.
  • “Tagadur” is derived from:
    • Thagadu: Iron ore.
    • Oor: Place.
  • The name changed to Dharmapuri during the Vijayanagar Empire or Mysore Empire period.
  • Adigaman Naduman Anji was a renowned chieftain admired by Tamil poetess Avvaiyar.
• Rule and Administration:
  • 8th century: Controlled by the Pallavas.
  • 9th century: Ruled by the Rashtrakutas for two centuries.
  • Later defeated by the Cholas.
  • 18th century: Part of the Mysore Kingdom.
  • During British rule: Part of the Salem district until independence in 1947.
  • Declared a separate district on 2nd October 1965.
• Geographical Details:
  • Latitude: 12°13'N
  • Longitude: 78°16'E
  • Altitude: 468 m
  • Geographical Area: 4,497 sq km
  • Boundaries:
    • North: Krishnagiri district.
    • South: Salem district.
    • East: Tiruvannamalai and Viluppuram districts.
    • West: Chamarajanagar district (Karnataka).
• Climate and Rainfall:
  • Moderate climate: Neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter.
  • Rainfall (2015-16): 1041.5 mm.
• Administrative Divisions:
  • Taluks: 7 (Dharmapuri, Harur, Palacode, Pennagaram, Pappireddipatti, Karimangalam, and Nallampalli).
  • Towns: 13.
  • Villages: 486.
  • Constituencies: 1 parliamentary and 5 assembly constituencies.
• Demographics (2011 Census):
  • Total population: 15,06,843.
    • Males: 7,74,303.
    • Females: 7,32,540.
  • Sex ratio: 946 females per 1000 males.
  • Population growth rate (2001-2011): -47.24%.
    • Males: -47.45%.
    • Females: -47.02%.
  • Major religion: Hinduism (96.42%).

Agriculture:

• Agriculture is the backbone of the district's economy.
• More than half of the population is engaged in agriculture for livelihood.
• Most lands in the district are used for agricultural purposes.
• Main agricultural products:
  • Paddy
  • Millets
  • Pulses
  • Sugarcane
  • Chilli
• Farmers adopt new agricultural technologies to increase production.
• Dharmapuri is one of Tamil Nadu's core horticultural belts.
• Mango is the prime horticultural crop of the district.
• Fishing serves as an additional source of income for natives.

Mineral Resources:

• The district is rich in mineral resources such as:
  • Granite
  • Quartz
  • Molybdenum

Industries:

• Dharmapuri is industrially well-developed.
• Key industries include:
  • Textile
  • Mineral-based
  • Chemical-based
  • Electronic products
• Gross Domestic Product (2005-2006): Rs. 4,07,523 lakhs at current price.

Education:

• The district has several reputed educational institutions.
• It provides a platform for higher education.
• As per the 2011 Census:
  • Literacy rate: 68.54%
  • Male literacy: 76.85%
  • Female literacy: 59.8%

Tourism:

• Hogenakkal Falls:
  • Located 46 km from Dharmapuri town.
  • Named after the Kannada term “Hogenakal” meaning "smoky rocks".
  • The gushing water creates a smoke-like mist when it falls on the rocks below.
• Theerthamalai:
  • A sacred place with the famous Theerthamalai temple located on a hillock.
  • Devotees visit during Maha Shivaratri to offer prayers.
• Hanumanthathirtham:
  • A sacred site located on the bank of Pennaiyar, 10 km from Uthangarai.
  • Associated with a mythological story of Hanuman, a revered character.