Theni Tourism 2019 > Tourist Places, Things to Do

Theni Tourism

Theni is a little hamlet on the Western ghats. It is dotted by luscious patches of greenery and gushing waterfalls wherever you go. Theni has something for every kind of traveller; from seeking divinity at the exquisite temples to taking a dip into the waterfalls.

Dolled up all in green, the mesmerising Theni is the best-kept secret of Tamil Nadu. The topography of Theni mainly consists of hills and ranges. It won't be an exaggeration to say that Theni has plenty of rivers and dams which add up to the beauty of this place. Theni is an abode to 27 forests. This gives an idea of the unparalleled greenery and wilderness of the district.

For those craving for tranquillity, the aroma filled tea estates in Theni are a paradise. The Kolukkamalai Tea estate is often deemed to be the world’s highest organic tea estate. A visit to this place is guaranteed to leave you spellbound. The Vaigai Dam built across the Vaigai River has become a popular tourist attraction in Theni for years. It offers picturesque scenery and picnic spots which are perfect for group picnics and a family day out. The Suruli Falls and the Kumbakarai Falls are the crown jewels of Theni. These gushing waterfalls cascading down gigantic rocks is a memorable sight.

Theni doesn't disappoint the spiritual souls as well. The temples like Kamatchi Amman Temple, Vellappar Temple, and Balasubramanya Temple are brimming with devotees from all around the country throughout the year. The vibrant local markets of Theni are a shoppers’ paradise. The local handloom products and agricultural products are the best buys at these markets.

Places to Visit In Theni

Suruli Falls

Meghamalai

Vaigai Dam

Chinna Suruli Falls

Shanmuganathi Dam

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History

The Theni district was established in the year 1996 by the fortification of Madurai region. The region which now sees many tourists and farmers once used to be sparsely populated. It was due to the Mullaperiyar dam project in 1886 that many people started to look up to Theni as a potential agricultural hub. The dam project also helped to cultivate and irrigate the Cumbum Valley. The Cumbum Valley was habituated by many people from the surrounding arid regions. Throughout the years, many business activities apart from agriculture also experienced a boom in Theni.

Culture

Tamil Nadu is home to one of the oldest civilisations in India and so is Theni. Needless to say, Theni is a treasure trove of heritage and traditions. As many dynasties ruled the region, it carries a rich legacy. The rich culture here is almost 2000 years old. The culture has contributed a significant amount to the art and music scene of India. Hinduism is a major religion followed by Islam, Christianity, and Jainism. You are bound to have an enriching tour of the Tamilian culture and tradition when you visit Theni.

Festivals

Owing to the rich heritage of the place; plenty of festivals are celebrated in Theni throughout the year.

Here are some of the most popular festivals of Theni:

The Sri Mavoothu Vellalar Chithrai Festival is celebrated at Andipatti in April. It is one of the world’s longest celebrated festivals and lasts for almost a month.
The Kamatchiamman Maha Sivarathiri Festival celebrated at Devadhanapatt in the month of March. The Maha Shivratri festival is celebrated in the glory of Lord Shiva.
The Gowmariamman Festival is celebrated at Veerapandi in the month of May. It is also known as the Temple Car festival and lasts for 8 days.
The Saneeswaran Adi Festival is celebrated at Kuchanur during the period of July to August. It is also known as the Aadi Monsoon festival and lasts for two and a half weeks.
The Paramasivam Temple Festival is celebrated at Bodinaickanur in the month of April.
The Velappar Festival is another popular festival celebrated in the month of May.

Languages

The population of Theni mostly consists of people from Tamil Nadu; hence Tamil is the primary spoken language in Theni. You can also come across some people speaking Kannada too. Many people in Theni are well versed by English which is beneficial for foreign tourists and tourists from other states in India.

Restaurants and Local Food in Theni

If the delicious and authentic Tamil cuisine in Theni doesn’t excite the foodie in you, then nothing will. Among the many lip-smacking dishes, the dishes like fish curry, Chettinad, panchamrutham, Varkey, and coconut bunsthalapakatti biriyani are a must try. Here are some places you should not miss visiting for the love of food:

The mutton biryani in Singapore Mess AC.
The Bodi Iyer Hotel is famous for ghee sweets and milk savouries.
Your trip to Theni is not complete without having parotta at the street shops.
Everest is another favourite restaurant where you can enjoy the local delicacies at their best.
The Saraswathi Hotel is the perfect place to have devouring non-vegetarian dishes.

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Best Time to Visit Theni

Commuting within Theni

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How To Reach Theni

Theni is well-connected to the major cities of Tamil Nadu by all three means of transport. It can be easily reached from the South Indian cities like Puducherry, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, and Chennai.