Several dynastries- the hoysalas, pandyas, vijayanagar kings, Muslim sultans of bijapur and Golconda, and the nayak rulers ruled the area of Dharmapuri. Finally the British had control over this area since 1972 AD. During the British had control over this area since 1792 AD during the British rule in the country and even till the year 1947 there was no separate district, except Dharmapuri as one of the taluks (also spelt as taluka) of salem district. It actually became a separate district in the year. 1965 as its headquarters at Dharmapuri itself.
Ahiyamankottai: the capital of adhiyamans, ancient rulers of tagadur, was adhiyamankottam which is situated on the selam-dharmapuri road at a distance of 7 kms from Dharmapuri. The chenraya perumal temple is the biggest of the lot which is held as a protected monument which is believed to have been constructed both by the king Krishna deva raya and hoysala kings. There is a mandapam which leads to the sanctum sanctorum. There are paintings in the ceiling depicting scenes from the mahabaratham, viswarupa dharshan of lord Krishna and some scenes from Ramayana and is still pleasing to the eyes.
Hanumanthathirtham: this place is situated on the bank of pennaiyar at a distance of 10 km from uthangarai and traditionally associated with tirtamalai. It is believed that hanuman who was instructed by lord rama to get the water from the ganges for his penance at tirtamalai which he could not do it in time. So rama was said to have done asthrapryogam and got it. Disappointed at this, hanuman was said to have thrown down the vessel in which he brought the holy water and this spilled water is believed to be the ‘hunumantirtham’.
Hogenakkal: this is one of the wonderful waterfalls in Tamilnadu. It is located at a distance of 48-km west of Dharmapuri. It is a part of the river Cauvery and is about 250 meters above sea level. The main attraction of the falls is its vertical drop from a height of 20 meters with a thundering sound. Surrounded by mountains, hogenakkal offers a quite holiday in comfort.
Subramanya siva memorial –papparapatti a monument built in memory of the great patriot subramanya siva his Samadhi is lying near papparapatti, pennagaram taluk.
Theerthamalai: theerthamalai is an important sacred place in harur taluk of Dharmapuri district. Shri theerthagirishwarar temple is located at the top of a hillock. Chola and vijayanagara kings donated liberally to this temple. A lot of devotees throng the temple during the mahashivarathiri. The department of tourism has a guest houses for the benefit of the devotees. Theerthamalai is declared as an important tourist spot. Ph: 04341-253599