Theni is the newly formed District surrounded by Western ghats. The main occupation of the inhabitants is agriculture. Periyar Water flows along with the Mullai river through this district and it finally reaches the Dam called Vaigai. The district of Theni has been carved out as a separate district recently as a result of bifurcation of Madurai district. According to the said bifurcation, three taluks namely Uttama – palaiyam, Periyakulamand Andipatti of the erstwhile Madurai district separated from its parent district to form this new district. At present also this new district is comprised of three taluks and eight Community Development Blocks.
Andipatti: Andipatti is a taluk headquarters, comprising a number of villages including small hamlets in the ghat section of Varushanad hill ranges. Handlooms, textiles are popular here.
Balasubramaniya Temple: One of the important temples in Periyakulam is Arulmigu Balasubramaniya Temple. This was constructed by Rajendra Chola nearly 2000 yeras ago. The idol of Lord Muruga with six faces seems to have been pierced form the ground-under. Lord Muruga, seen here with his consorts, blesses all his devotees.
Bodinayakkanur: Located on the foot hills of the West Ghats, this town is popular for cardamom mango and coffee market.
Bodi Mettu: A hill resort situated at a height of 4500 feet, it is a most scenic place. It is 26 kms from Bodinayakkanur.
Chinnamanur: This was formerly known as ‘’Harikesarinallur’’ and it is mentioned in ‘’Tholkappium’’. This municipal town is a business hub for the nearby villages. Weekly Shandy here is very popular.Sivagamiamman Temple located on the banks of the Mullai river is worth visiting.
Cloud Land Falls (Chinna Suruli) :Situated 54 kms from Theni near Kombaithozhu Village. These falls originate in the Megamalai. This is popularly known as Chinna Suruli.
Devadanapatti: The main Shrine in Devadanapatti is Kamatchi Amman Temple. It is situated on the banks of the Manjal river.This temple is 3 kms from Devadanapatti in Theni District. In this temple,the doors to the sanctum sanctorum are never opened, and all the pujas are offered only to the portals. The special puja performed in the evening to the accompaniment of local musical instruments is a spectacular audio – visual feast.
Kuchanoor Saneeswaran Temple: This is the only temple in India which is meant solely for Saneeswara Bhagawansituated at Kuchanoor, 20 Km south of Theni. The temple at Thirunallarin Pondy is having only a separate Sannidhi for Saneeswarar. In Kuchanoor Saneeswara Bhagawan is said to be a Suyambu (Self appeared idol) .In front of this temple the perennial river Surabi flows which carried the waters of Periyar river and Suruliyaru. Every year the festival is being celebrated during the Tamil month ‘’Adi’’ on every Saturday of the week.
Kamatchiamma Temple: Devadhanapatti the Temple Kamatchiamman is situated 23 Km from Periyakulam. The festival is being celebrated during the month ‘’Vaikasi’’. Special Poojas will be performed every month on full moon day. The temple is about 200 years old.
Kumbakarai Falls :KumbakaraiFalls Periyakulam. The Kumbakarai Falls is a tourist spot in natural surroundings. It is situated at 9 km from periyakulam. The water originates in Kodaikanal hills and flows along the rocks and finally reaches the foot hills. This place is called Kumbakarai. The falls creates a lot of noise along with the nice, soft and beautiful songs of several birds. The travellers come here and take bath in the falls. The water flows throughout the year, but in rainy seasons the flow will be very heavy. Some of the travellers walk along the falls in the ghats road and will reach Kodaikanal. There are town buses available from Periyankulam to the Kumbakarai. The bus fare is Rs 2/- at present. There is no boarding & lodging facilities for the tourists.
Mavoothu Vellapar Temple: The main attraction in Mavoothu is the Vellappar Temple. This holy shrine is situated in the Varushanad hill ranges, 20 kms from Andipatti Nestling among the hills; the temple is atop a peak, surrounded by natural vegetation. Transport is available upto the foothills only. Rainwater gathers around the mango trees near this temple and flows downhill in torrents. This has given the place the name ‘’mavoothu’’ which in Tamil stands for ‘’spring of the mango grove’’. This place has a perennial water source. Puja Timings: 7.30 am to 8.30 in the morning and 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm in the evening.
Meghamalai : This scenic place is dotted with tea estates and cardamom plantations. Situated at an elevation of 1500 meters above sea level, the place is rich in flora and fauna.
Sothupparai Dam: Sothupparai dam is located at 12 kms from Periyakulam. This dam is built across the Varaha river. It is beautiful picnic spot. The wide expanse of stored water is an impressive sight.
Suruli Falls :The Suruli hills is at a distance of 8 K.m from Cumbum in theni district. The hill is famous for its herbal springs. The temple for Surli Velappar has been built under these environments. The temple is about half Km. Inside ghats road. The Kailasanathar Temple Cave There is 18 caves in and around the Suruli falls.
The Kailasanathar Cave Temple is situated 800 meters above the fall and has a spring, which possesses water of curative powers. The holy water from the water falls is said to cure several diseases. The festivals during the months of Adi Thai and Chitrai are important ones. This hill has been mentioned in the literatures like ‘’Silappadikaram’’.
Suruli falls-Abubacker Masthan Dargah is important place of pilgrimage in Suruli. This is the place where the body of Abubacker Masthan is interred. This is very close to the cave temple of Kailasanathar. Abubacker was a Muslim mystic who lived around the 1630s.One more temple for Lord Kartikeya is also located near the falls which is called Suruli Velappar Temple. Devotees carry pots of milk on Saturdays in the Tamil month of Chithirai to this temple.
Theertha Thotti: This natural spring is located on the Madurai – Kochi national highway between Theni and Bodinayakkanur. Subramanya Temple here is a popular pilgrim centre.
Tiger Falls: A dainty fall on the route to Munnar between Bodi and Bodimettu from Theni.
Vaigai Dam: Vaigai Dam Parkat Vaigai Dam the main tourist spot Vaigaidam is constructed across the river of Mullainear Andipatti village, 25 Km away from Theni. The main source of water for irrigation in Madurai district is from Vaigai. The Children park, Zoo etc, are fast developing areas at the Dam site.
Veerapandi: Gowmariamman Temple which is located here attracts many pilgrims. This 14th century temple was built by Pandya King Veerapandi. Pandya King is said to have regained his vision by praying to Govmariyamman and Kanneeswaramudaiyar. Close by the temple, the perennial Mullai river runs its course. The temple is nearly 8 Kms from Theni.
Veerappa Ayyanar Statue:The temple is situated 3 km at Allinagaram, 3 Km away from Theni. The temple is very famous in and around Theni. Every year the festival is celebrated on the ‘’first day’’ of Tamil month of ‘’Chitrai’’ The places likely to visit in and around Theni is the Vaigai Dam near Andipatti. Kumbakarai falls at Periyakulam, Suruli Falls at Surulipatti, Thekkady and some Tea and Coffee Estates located at Moonar and Maharaj Mettu.
Velli Malai: A densely forested place replete with natural flora and fauna is located 6.5 kms from Theni in the Varushanadu hill ranges.