Dharmapuri is a city in the northwestern part of Tamil Nadu, India. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Dharmapuri district, the first district created in Tamil Nadu after the independence of India by bifurcating it from the then Salem district on 2 October 1965. The town is located 50 km from Krishnagiri, 69 km from Salem, 90 km from Salem. km from Hosur, 117 km from Thiruvannamalai, 126 km from Bangalore and Erode, 181 km from Tiruppur, 200 km from Coimbatore and Tiruchirappalli, 300 km from Madurai and the capital Chennai. It is located between latitudes N 11 47' and 12 33' and longitudes E 77 02' and 78 40'. It is, along with Krishnagiri, one of the major mango growers and producers in the state and is often referred to as the mango capital of India.
Dharmapuri was called Thagadoor, where King Adhiyamaan ruled. Adhiyaman Kottai is located near the Dharmapuri-Salem Highway. Many temples were built during Adhiyamaan's reign. There is a tunnel from Adhiyamaan Kottai temple to Dharmapuri Kottai temple.
The region is believed to have been controlled by the Pallava dynasty in the 8th century. The Rashtrakutas took power in the 9th century. They were defeated by the Cholas in the 11th century and subsequently the district came under Chola rule.
