Dharapuram is a town situated along the banks of Amaravati River in Tiruppur district in the Indianstate of Tamil Nadu. Dharapuram is one of the oldest towns in South India[2] and was the capital of Kongu Nadu under the Cheras, Western Ganga Dynasty and later Kongu Cholas, at which time it was known as Viradapuram.[3]Amaravathi River flows through the town.[4] As of 2011, the town had a population of 67,007. The city houses famous temples including Agatheeswarar Temple, Kaadu Hanumanthasamy temple and many other old temples.
Dharapuram Town is a small agricultural marketing centre for a large rural hinterland in the Tirupur District. The town is 40km towards of the District Headquarters Tirupur, 33km towards the Kangeyam, 75km towards the Erode, 35km towards the Palani and 73km towards the industrial town Coimbatore. The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport located 70km from Dharapuram.
History
The historical name of this town is Viradapuram and its mention is found in Mahabharata verses.[5] It is mentioned that Pandavas worshipped and stayed briefly in Tharai Thillapuri Amman, an Amman temple located in banks of Amaravati.[6][7] The city is home to various artifacts relating to Mahabharata story period.[8][9] The city was also known as Virada Nagaram in ancient Tamil texts during the time of Pancha Pandavas when they were in the forest incognito. The city is said to be one of the ruled areas of Panja Pandavas.[7]
Dharapuram was part of the Chera kingdom until 850 CE. From 1000 to 1275 CE, the area was ruled by the Kongu Cholas under the name Vanchipuri. The Cholan capital was under attack by a hitherto unknown group in South India, called Kalabhars. As a result, the Kongu Cholas made Dharapuram their military and political headquarters.[10] The Later Cholas named the city as Rajarajapuram.[11] After 1276 CE, the Pandyas took control of the region. The Dehli Sultanate, Nayaks of Madurai and Vijayanagara empire later ruled this region, followed by Hyder Ali and the Kingdom of Mysore. In 1799, when Mysore fell to the British, the East India Company took over administration of this region.
Agatheeswarar temple at Dharapuram
During British empire, Dharapuram was the capital of Noyyal South District before the formation of Coimbatore District.[12]Bhavani Was The Capital Of Noyal North District. In 1804 Coimbatore District was formed by combining both. Dharapuram was taluk under Coimbatore district during 1804-1979. Dharapuram and Coimbatore Municipalities were established on the same day. Dharapuram attained the status of a Municipality in the year 1866[13] and it was promoted to first grade municipality on 9 May 1983.[13] The town attained Municipality status in the year 1866 and was functioning as a First Grade Municipality from 9th May 1983. On 30th March 2023, it was upgraded as a Selection Grade Municipality. Development in the town completely depends on the agriculture, as well as commerce and trades.
According to 2011 census, Dharapuram had a population of 67,007 with a sex-ratio of 1,045 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[14] A total of 5,048 were under the age of six, constituting 2,566 males and 2,482 females. The average literacy of the town was 80.4%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[14] The town had a total of 15,842 households. This area is dominated by Kongu Vellalar Gounder community, There were a total of 23,722 workers, comprising 506 cultivators, 1,227 main agricultural laborers, 652 in house hold industries, 17,553 other workers, 3,784 marginal workers, 51 marginal cultivators, 697 marginal agricultural laborers, 204 marginal workers in household industries and 2,832 other marginal workers.[15] As per the religious census of 2011, Dharapuram (M) had 77.12% Hindus, 16.76% Muslims, 5.74% Christians, and 0.37% following other religions.[16]
Geography and climate
Dharapuram is located at 10°44′N77°31′E / 10.73°N 77.52°E / 10.73; 77.52.[17] Dharapuram town is situated along of the bank of Amaravathi River which flows from the south to north. Uppar River and dam, Nallathankal River and dam, Palar join the river Amaravathi. It has an average elevation of 45 metres or 150 feet. It is strategically located in the line of Palakkad pass which provides the wind that activates the town's numerous windmills. The area has a significant water shortage. The town has a hot semi-arid climate (KöppenBSh).
The economy of Dharapuram is mainly based on Agriculture as it is regularly supplied with water from the Amaravati River.
The predominant occupation of the town is trade and commerce. Dharapuram acts as the commercial hub for surrounding villages. Many commercial establishments and banks are located in the town. Dharapuram is the headquarters of Dharapuram taluk, and the Dharapuram Revenue division houses many government offices.
Agriculture is the main industry in Dharapuram and is the main source of employment for people around Dharapuram. Some of the main crops cultivated in this area include Coconuts, Vegetables, Maize, Millet, Paddy and Sugarcane. Most of the farmers also engage in Dairy farming. Sizeable number of farmers also engage in Poultry farming.
After agriculture, the Textile industry also provides employment to sizeable number of people. Due to the town's proximity with the textile city of Tiruppur there are some textile industries located in and around Dharapuram.
The surrounding areas have seen a surge in windmill installations because of the location of the town across the Palghat Gap.
The city also houses Seed manufacturing plants, Textile Spinning and Cotton Mills, Rice Mills, ginning factory Oil Processing Plants, Bricks, Big Lorry Market, Famous vegetables Market, Automobiles and Finance. The city also houses 500 bakeries within the radius of 5km (3.1mi) serving highway commuters.
In recent years due to lack of employment opportunities, a sizeable number of the town's population have been migrating to nearby industrial cities like Tiruppur and Coimbatore.
Agastheeswarar temple, Bhagavan Koil, Angalamman temple, Kottai Mariamman temple, Rathinamoorthy temple, Thean Easwaran temple, Periya Nachiamman temple, Konguvadukanatha Swami temple, Thillapuriamman Temple, Chakrathalvar temple, Mamangam temple, Kadu Hanumantharaya Swami temple and Angitholuvu Kaliamman temple are the major places of worship.
Apart from temples, Dharapuram was the source of the tastiest hotel - Devi Vilas. Though this hotel ceases to exist now, it was one of the most popular hotels in the 70s. It is told that the famous actor, Shri Nagesh used to work here. Also, everytime former Chief MinisterMG Ramachandran came for shooting in the neighborhood, he would eat only from Devi Vilas.
Palani or Pazhani(Tamil:[paɻani]), is a town in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu state in India. It is located about 54 kilometres (34 mi) west of Dindigul, 106 kilometres (66 mi) south-east of Coimbatore, 122 kilometres (76 mi) north-west of Madurai, 67 kilometres (42 mi) from Kodaikanal. The Palani Murugan Temple or Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, dedicated to Murugan is situated on a hill overlooking the town. The temple is visited by more than 7 million pilgrims each year. As of 2011, the town had a population of 70,467 and the Taluk had a population of 292,301 which makes it the second largest town in the district after Dindigul.
Karur District is one of the 38 districts in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The main town in Karur District is the city of Karur, which is also the district headquarters. The district has a population of 1,064,493 with a sex-ratio of 1,015 females for every 1,000 males, according to 2011 census.
Chennimalai is a town in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated away from Erode of about 28kms., Chenni which means Chief and Malai means Hill. It is popularly known as the 'Handloom Town'.
Kangeyam is a historical town and municipality in Kangeyam Taluk of Tiruppur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated on National Highway 81. Kangeyam is an economic center in Tamil Nadu. The main commercial interests of the municipality are rice hulling, coconut oil extraction, ghee production, and groundnut cultivation. The town is located 28 km from the district headquarters at Tiruppur, 45 km from the city of Erode, 70 km from the industrial town of Coimbatore,30 km from the town of Dharapuram, 55 km from the city of Karur, 140 km from the Ancient city of Trichy and 441 km from the state capital Chennai.
Madathukulam is Border to Dindigul District in Tirupur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Mulanur is a panchayat town under in Dharapuram taluk in Tirupur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Muthur is a panchayat town in Vellakovil block which comes under Kangeyam taluk in Tirupur district, Tamil Nadu, India.
Palladam is a town and First Grade Municipality in Tirupur district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is the headquarters of Palladam Taluk of Tirupur district. Palladam is located on National Highway NH 81. Palladam is a major town with large source of income collected from the business community, which includes Textile industries, Poultry farms, and Agriculture. Palladam High-tech weaving park is a milestone of the town. It is a part of the Coimbatore MP Constituency. Palladam is well known for production of Broiler chicken production and head office of Broiler coordination committee (BCC) situated here.
Udumalai, also known as Udumalaipettai and Udumalpet, is a town in Tiruppur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 535 km (332 mi) south west from the state capital, Chennai and 72 km (45 mi) from Coimbatore. It is the headquarters of Udumalaipettai taluk and had a population of 61,133 as per 2011 Census of India. The town comes under the Udumalaipettai Assembly constituency.
Vellakovil is a municipal town in Kangeyam taluk of Tirupur District, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on National Highway 81 between Trichy and Coimbatore. The town is spread in an area of 64.75 km2. As of 2011, the town had a population of 40,359. Kannapuram village located near to this town is famous for Kangeyam breed cattle market that happens on every year during Mariyamman temple festival in the month of April. It is an industrialized town with traditional agriculture being the occupation for most of the people. It holds lot of Power looms weaving bedsheets, floor mats and cotton materials being exported to foreign countries via exporters present in Karur.
Tiruppur District is one of the 38 districts of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, formed in 22 February 2009. Dharapuram was the largest taluk by area in the district. The district is well-developed and industrialized. The Tiruppur banian industry, the cotton market, Kangeyam bull and Uthukkuli butter, among other things, provide for a vibrant economy. The city of Tiruppur is the administrative headquarters for the district. As of 2011, the district had a population of 2,479,052 with a sex-ratio of 989 females for every 1,000 males.
Anikkadavu is a small village formerly a part of Coimbatore Rural District, India, but now in Tiruppur District which belongs to Udumalpet taluk. The name Anikkadavu derived from the ancient word Anai Kadavu which means that it was the path of elephants used to cross this region long long ago.
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Pongalur is a small town located in Palladam Taluk of Tiruppur district in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located along the Coimbatore - Trichy National highway and headquarters the Pongalur block. It is located 10 km from Palladam, 22 km from Kangeyam, 35 km from Dharapuram and 20 km from district headquarter Tiruppur and 50 km from Coimbatore. It is known for its famous Varadharaja perumal Temple.
Uthiyur is a small town in Kangeyam taluk of Tiruppur district in south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Kundadam is a small town located in Dharapuram taluk of Tiruppur district in Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Kundadam Panchayat Union in Tiruppur district. It is located 16Km away from Dharapuram in Coimbatore-Dharapuram highway. In the classical Tamil texts, this town is named as Kundrai, Kundrapuram, Kundrai Managar and Kundridam. The town houses famous temples including Varatharājaperumāl Temple, Kala Bairavar Temple, Kongu Vatuganādha Swāmy Temple, Koṅgar Chinnamman Temple and Vadivudaimangai Udanurai Konguvidangkisuvarar Temple.
Thoppampatti is a small town located in Palani taluk of Dindigul district in Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Thoppampatti Panchayat Union in Tiruppur district. It is located 20 kilometers away from Dharapuram and 10 kilometers away from Palani in Erode-Dharapuram-Palani highway.
Koduvai(Koduvāi) is a small town in Tiruppur District in Tamil Nadu, India. It comes under Pongalur block and Tiruppur South taluk. It is located 26 km away from Dharapuram and 25 km from Tiruppur in Tiruppur-Dharapuram highway. The town houses famous temples including NageswaraSami Temple and PeriyaPerumal Temple.
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dharapuram.
1 2 "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.
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