Northern Tamil Nadu
Krishnagiri
Headquarters: Krishnagiri
Overview
Krishnagiri is a district in the north-western corner of Tamil Nadu, bordering Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, formed on 9 February 2004 by bifurcating Dharmapuri district. At the 2011 Census it had a population of 1,879,809 over 5,129 sq km, with an effective literacy of 71.46%. Often called the 'Mango capital' of India for its vast mango orchards, the district is also a major granite-export and sericulture centre. Its northern town of Hosur has grown into one of Tamil Nadu's leading industrial hubs on the Bengaluru–Chennai corridor.
Economy
Horticulture leads Krishnagiri's economy, with the district accounting for a large share of Tamil Nadu's mango output, much of it processed into pulp for export. Granite quarrying and export, sericulture (silk-cocoon rearing) and dairy are other mainstays. The Hosur industrial belt, with its SIPCOT estates, is home to major automobile, engineering and consumer-goods manufacturers such as TVS Motor, Ashok Leyland and Titan, alongside a growing electric-vehicle cluster. Food processing built around mango and other fruits adds further value.
Tourism
The Krishnagiri Reservoir Project (KRP) dam on the Thenpennai river, with its landscaped park, is the district's best-known day-out spot. Hill forts such as the Krishnagiri Fort and Rayakottai Fort recall the region's Tipu Sultan-era history, while the wooded ranges around Denkanikottai and Kelamangalam offer scenic drives. Mango orchards in full bloom are themselves a seasonal draw.
Temples & heritage
Krishnagiri's temples are mostly hill and village shrines rather than grand complexes. The Chandra Choodeswarar Temple at Hosur and the hill temples around Krishnagiri town are locally important, while the region also preserves Jain and cave-shrine remains reflecting an ancient religious heritage. Amman and Anjaneyar temples across the taluks remain active centres of village worship.
Infrastructure
Krishnagiri sits on the Golden Quadrilateral, where National Highway 44 (Bengaluru–Chennai) meets NH-48 and NH-77, making it one of Tamil Nadu's busiest road junctions. Hosur, with its large SIPCOT industrial parks and a planned greenfield airport, drives the district's logistics and manufacturing growth. The KRP and Kelavarapalli dams on the Thenpennai river supply irrigation and water.
Education & healthcare
The Government Medical College, Krishnagiri, along with engineering and arts colleges in Krishnagiri and Hosur, forms the district's higher-education base, with most institutions affiliated to Periyar University and Anna University. Hosur in particular hosts several industry-linked technical and polytechnic institutions serving its manufacturing sector.
Gallery
Videos
KRP Dam (Krishnagiri Dam) — A Day Out
Sources & references
- 🏛️ Krishnagiri District Administration (krishnagiri.nic.in)
- 📖 Krishnagiri district — Wikipedia
- 📊 Krishnagiri district — Census of India 2011 (census2011.co.in)
- 🧭 Tourist Places — Krishnagiri District
Source: Census of India 2011 (via census2011.co.in); Data note