Welcome to Uthamapalayam, a quaint town and taluka headquarters located in the scenic Theni district of Tamil Nadu, India. While the Mullaiperiyar river is a popular attraction for visitors, there are several fascinating temples that are worth exploring too.
One of the oldest and most popular temples in Uthamapalayam is the Shri Kalatheeswarar Temple. This Sivan Temple is over 500 years old and is located 29 kms from the Theni district. The temple is named THEN KALAKASTHI (South Kalakasthi) and has statues of other gods in identical roles as the Temple of Kalakasthi in Andhra Pradesh. The temple’s principal attraction is its location on Suruli’s perennial river shore, making it a popular spiritual tourist spot to visit. The surrounding natural beauty of the temple creates a sense of harmony and divinity, and visitors claim to feel anti-negativity travel across their body. Be sure to visit Then Kalakasthi (Temple of Kalatheeswarar) at least once in your life to relieve your Saturn time.
Another ancient temple in Uthamapalayam is the Shri Yoga Narasimha Perumal Temple. This Vishnu Temple is over 800 years old and is a must-visit for those who love exploring ancient architecture. Another famous temple in the town is the Shri Muthu Karuppana Swami Kovil, which is named for the Karuppa Samy Temple at the foot of the Tirukunnagiri hills.
As of 2011, the population of Uthamapalayam was 29,050, and it is the headquarters of Uthamapalayam Taluk and Uthamapalayam Panchayat Union. The town has an average literacy rate of 73%, which is higher than the national average of 59.5%, and the literacy rate of males and females is 80% and 66%, respectively.
Uthamapalayam has a tropical climate with warm weather throughout the year. The Southwest Monsoon and Northeast Monsoon contribute significantly to the rainfall, making it one of the lush places in Tamil Nadu with high rainfall in most months. The town has several educational institutions, including Government Higher Secondary School, Mohamed Fathima Girls High School, and a government-aided arts and sciences college named H.K.R.H, which has been serving the community for over fifty years.
Adjacent to the town are several small villages and moderate towns, including Kombai, Chinamanur, Cumbam, Royapanpatti, Kurumbapatti (Ambasamuthram), Ammapatti, Ellapatti, Thevaram, and Bodi. With so much to explore and experience, Uthamapalayam is a town that should definitely be on every traveler’s list when visiting Tamil Nadu.
References: India Census 2011, Tamil Nadu Tourism.