Dharapuram

Dharapuram
town
Amaravathi statue
Statue of Amaravathy, Dharapuram
Dharapuram
Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 10°44′N 77°31′E / 10.73°N 77.52°E / 10.73; 77.52Coordinates: 10°44′N 77°31′E / 10.73°N 77.52°E / 10.73; 77.52
Country  India
State Tamil Nadu
District Tirupur
Government
  Type municipality
  Body Dharapuram Municipality
Elevation 245 m (804 ft)
Population (2011)
  Total 67,007
Languages
  Official Tamil
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 638656, 638657
STD Code 04258
Vehicle registration TN 78
Website municipality.tn.gov.in/dharapuram/
Amaravathi

Dharapuram is a town in Tirupur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Dharapuram is one of the oldest towns in Tamil nadu[1] and was the capital of Kongu Nadu under the Cheras, Western Ganga Dynasty and later Kongu Cholas, at which time it was known as Vanchipuri.[2] Amaravathi River flows through the town.[3] As of 2011, the town had a population of 67,007.Dharapuram Municipality is promoted 1st grade municipality on May 6, 1983. Dharapuram Town is situated along the bank of River Amaravathi, located in between 10 degree 45 minutes northern latitude and 77 degree 31 minutes eastern latitude with an extent of 7.02 km2. It is a small agricultural marketing centre for a large rural hinterland in the Tirupur District. The town is at a distance of 47 km towards of the District Head Quarter Tirupur and at a distance of 80 km towards the industrial town Coimbatore.

The town has attained the status of a Municipality in the year 1916 and functioning as the First Grade Municipality from 09.05.1983. The town developments completely depend on the agricultural activities and Commerce and Trades.

History

Dharapuram was part of the Chera kingdom until 850 A.D. From 1000 A.D. to 1275 A.D., 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.[4] The Later Cholas named the city as Rajarajapuram.[5] After 1276 A.D. the Pandyas took control of the region. The Sultanate, Nayaks of Madurai and Vijayanagara empire rules followed by Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan. In 1799, when Tippu fell to the British, the East Indian Company took over administration of this region. It was also known as Virata nagaram 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.

Dharapuram attained the status of a Municipality in the year 1916[6] and it was promoted to first grade municipality on May 9, 1983.[6]

Geography

Dharapuram town is situated along 19.62 km2 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.

Demographics

Religious census
Religion Percent(%)
Hindu
77.12%
Muslim
16.76%
Christian
5.74%
Other
0.37%

According to 2017 census, Dharapuram had a population of 1,65,007 with a sex-ratio of 1,045 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[7] A total of 5,048 were under the age of six, constituting 2,566 males and 2,482 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 21.48% and .1% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 80.4%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[7] The town had a total of 15842 households. This area is dominated by kongu vellalar gounders, 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.[8] 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.[9]

Geography and climate

Dharapuram is located at 10°44′N 77°31′E / 10.73°N 77.52°E / 10.73; 77.52.[10] It has an average elevation of 245 metres (803 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 features a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification;BSh).

Climate data for Dharapuram
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29.4
(84.9)
32.9
(91.2)
33.6
(92.5)
35.2
(95.4)
36.3
(97.3)
35.1
(95.2)
32.8
(91)
32.7
(90.9)
32.5
(90.5)
31.1
(88)
30.5
(86.9)
29.0
(84.2)
32.6
(90.7)
Average low °C (°F) 19.6
(67.3)
21.2
(70.2)
22.9
(73.2)
23.3
(73.9)
24.7
(76.5)
25.4
(77.7)
24.8
(76.6)
23.6
(74.5)
23.5
(74.3)
22.0
(71.6)
21.0
(69.8)
20.1
(68.2)
22.7
(72.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 14
(0.55)
11
(0.43)
22
(0.87)
43
(1.69)
65
(2.56)
34
(1.34)
21
(0.83)
31
(1.22)
50
(1.97)
134
(5.28)
138
(5.43)
44
(1.73)
607
(23.9)
Source: Dharapuram Municipality

Economy

Agriculture is the primary industry in Dharapuram. There are textile mills, rice mills, oil processing plants.Out of total population, 23,722 were engaged in work or business activity. Of this 16,674 were males while 7,048 were females. In census survey, worker is defined as person who does business, job, service, and cultivator and labour activity. Of total 23722 working population, 84.05 % were engaged in Main Work while 15.95 % of total workers were engaged in Marginal Work.

Administration and politics

Dharapuram has been reserved constituency from 1967 to still day. The assembly constituency (SC) is part of Erode (Lok Sabha constituency).[11] V.S.Kalimuthu is a present member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the Dharapuram constituency.[12] Dharapuram Revenue division consists of Dharapuram taluk and Kangeyam taluk. DMK, AIADMK, INC, PMK, ADMK are the major political parties in this area. Dharapuram Block comes under Dharapuram assembly constituency, current sitting MLA is Kalimuthu. V.S contested and won from INC party Dharapuram Block comes under Erode parliament constituency, current sitting MP is Selvakumara Chinnayan S Dharapuram Block Political Map. The municipality commissioner Thiru.R.Lakshmnan B.E.

Transport

The following are the major highways connecting Dharapuram:

Dharapuram is connected by moffusil bus services to major towns in Tamil Nadu operated by TNSTC. The nearest railway station is Palani (35 km) and the nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (80 km).

How To Reach

Dharapuram town is well connected with other cities & towns like Coimbatore, Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Tiruppur, Madurai, Palani, Udumalpet and Pollachi with road transport facilities. Dharapuram town is not provided with railway facilities. The nearest railway station is at palani and Tiruppur located at a distance of 34 km and 48 km respectively.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

There are two State Highways roads one is Erode - Ottanchatram road and other one is Pollachi - Dharapuram - Karur road. Apart from these there are five Major District Roads and two other District Roads are passes through this town.

Dharapuram town is well connected with the District Headquarters, Coimbatore, Erode, Karur, Dindigul and other urban centres like, Tiruppur, Palani, Udumalpet, and Pollachi with road transport facilities. The total length of roads within the corporate limit is 57.85 km which consists of 17.37 km length of cement road 38.557 km length of B.T. roads, 0.356 km length of W.B.M. road and 1.567 km length of earthen roads. The major District Road, Coimbatore Alangiyam Road and Pollachi - Dindigul - Karur road connects the Dharapuram town with the important urban centres. The street pattern in the core area of the town and the traffic is heavy due to location of educational institutions and public offices. There are too many convergencies on the main road to Coimbatore and Pollachi and consequently is the most congested of the roads. Other than Municipal roads of length 57.85 km there are six State Highways road of 9.69 km length and 7.8 km length of Major District Road and Other District Road.

The main mode of mass transportation in and out of the town is the buses operated by a number of private companies and the State Transport Corporation. There are at present 11 bus routes operator from Dharapuram Busstand. On these bus routes about 360 buses and 12 mini – buses operate making about 2187 single trips catering to 38,000 passengers per day. The trips includes to long distance towards like Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichi, Erode, etc. All parts and surrounding villages located at a distance of 30 km of the town are well connected by town buses.

Dharapuram town is not provided with railway facilities.The nearest Railway station is at Palani located at a distance of 34 km.

The nearest Airport is located in Coimbatore which is 80 km distance from the town.

Places of interest

Inside of Bhagavan Kovil

Agastheeswarar temple, Kadu Hanumantharaya Swami 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 and Angitholuvu Kaliamman temple are the major places of worship.

Notable people

References

  1. "History Of Tipu Sultan By Mohibbul Hasan". Archive.org. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  2. "Tiruppur which helped grow Tamil". Dinamalar. 2010-06-18. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  3. "Tiruppur District - Rivers". Tiruppur.nic.in. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  4. "Villages in Dharapuram Tehsil in Erode". Erode.org.in. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  5. ஔவை. சு. துரைசாமிப் பிள்ளை (2002). சேரமன்னர் வரலாறு. சென்னை: வள்ளுவர் பண்ணை. p. 215.
  6. 1 2 "Welcome to Dharapuram Municipality Home Page". Municipality.tn.gov.in. 1983-05-06. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  7. 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.
  8. "Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Dharapuram". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  9. "Population By Religious Community - Tamil Nadu" (XLS). Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  10. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Dharapuram
  11. "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-02-06. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  12. "List of MLAs from Tamil Nadu 2011" (PDF). Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-20.
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