Dharapuram, a name given to it by the British, has through history seen its share of rulers
and owners and today is part of the Erode district of Tamil Nadu. It is a quaint village, most
popular for the Hanuman temple. It is about 2 hours drive from Coimbatore, on the Madurai
route and the drive itself is picturesque with coconut trees and windmills sharing space
besides the road.

Every year in May, a festival is held at the temple, where thousands throng to be one of the
chosen few to pull the chariot, holding the idol, through the village. The temple also serves as
the community center providing free food to many in the area. The temple is also unique in that
the sanctum containing the idol is open to the skies unlike the other temples.

Dharapuram is shielded by the Kodaikanal hills on side and the Amaravathy river, a tributary of
the Cauvery, on the other. There are numerous picnic spots nearby, enough to make worthwhile
day trip from Coimbatore.

For all the pictures from Dharapuram, Click here...