Sothupparai Dam

Sothupparai Dam is located 12 kms from Periyakulam. This dam is built across the Varaha river. It is a beautiful picnic spot, and the wide expanse of stored water is an impressive sight.

Veerapandi has the Gowmariamman Temple located here and attracts many pilgrims. The Pandya King Veerapandi built this 14th century temple. The king is said to have regained his vision by praying to Gowmariamman and Kanneeswara-mudaiyar. Close by the temple, the perennial Mullai river runs its course. This temple is nearly 8 kms from Theni.

Kuchanur is famous for the Saturn or Saneeswarar temple who is the main diety worshipped in Kuchanur. In this temple Lord Sani is present in splendid isolation bereft of the other planets. Here he is known as Kuchanooran. The temple is situated 25 kms from Theni. It is close to Chinnamanur, and located amidst paddy fields.


Chinnamanur was formerly known as Harikesarinallur and it is mentioned in Tolkappiam. This municipal town is a business hub for the nearby villages.

The weekly market held here is very popular. The Sivagamiamman Temple located on the banks of the Mullai river is also worth a visit.

Theertha Thotti is a natural spring and it is located on the Madurai-Kochi National Highway between Theni and Bodinayakkanur. The Subramanya Temple here is a popular pilgrim centre.

Suruli Falls that drops from a height of 150 feet gathers into a pool, flows for a short distance and again plummets to a depth of 40 feet, offering a spectacular sight of nature’s raw and wild beauty. The dense forests that surround it provide an awesome backdrop. Facilities are available to bathe in the waters of these falls. The special feature of the fall is that it is “a round the year” fall. However, the best season to visit is June–October, when the water column is heaviest. The beauty of this fall finds mention in Tamil epic, Silappathikaram written by poet Ilango. Kailasanathar Temple Cave is located near the Suruli Falls. There are 18 caves in and around the Suruli falls. The temple is situated 800 mtrs above the fall and has a spring, the water is believed to have curative powers. A Dargah named after Abubacker Masthan is another important place of worship in Suruli. This is where the remains of Abubacker Masthan are interred. This is very close to the cave temple of Kailasanatha. Abubacker was a Muslim mystic who lived around the 1630s. A temple for Lord Kartikeya is also located near the falls and it is called the Suruli Velappar Temple. In the Tamil month of Chithirai to this temple devotees carry pots of milk on Saturdays.