Salem District
Salem is also known as the Mango city in Tamilnadu. The name ‘Salem appears to have been derived from sela or shalya by which the term refers to the country around the hills, as in the inscriptions. Local folklore believes Salem to be the birthplace of the Tamil poetess Avvaiyar. Salem along with Coimbatore remained under the Madurai Nayaks. Later, in the early 18th century, it came under Hyder Ali after a long feud came known as the Mysore-Madurai war. In 1965 Salem District was bifurcated into Salem-Dharmapuri Districts. Many great personalities including Salem. Many great personalities including Salem Ramasamy Mudaliar, C.Vijaya Raghavachariar, Pagadala Narasimhalu, C.Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) and Dr.Subbarayan started their political careers in Salem.
Feature:
Salem is at the base of the renowned tourist destination of Yercuad hills. Salem is one of the largest producers of traditional silver anklets. Which boasts large textile, automotive Poultry and sago industries. Salem has one of the largest magnetite deposits in India. Companies like Dalmia and TAANMAG have mines here.
Transporation:
• Air : The nearest International airports is Trichy Airport (135Km) and Coimbatore airport (150km).
• Rail: Salem Railway division has a total length of 842km and railway routes merging the junction. So it plays an important transit point in south India.
• Road: Three important National Highways NH7(North-South). NH47 (Leading to West) and NH68 (Leading to East) intersect at Salem
Two major bus stands are MGR integrated Bus Terminus (New Bus Stand)- Mofussd Routes & Town Bus Stand (Old Bus Stand) – Local Routes.
Places of Interest :
Kandhasamy Kovil:
22 km from Salem on the way to Thiruchengode.Sundhara Kandhaswamy Kovil. One of the seven richest temples in the district.
Timing: 6 am to 8pm
Ph No: 04288-287511
Kumaragiri Murugan Temple:
This is a small temple for Lord Muruga. It is situated on Udayapatti Bye pass Road 6 km from Salem city.
Ph.No.0427-2242789.
Lingam (1008) Temple:
This Temple is controlled by Vinayaga Mission. This temple contains 1008 Lingam with Nandi in the ‘Moolasthanam’. Located in Ariyanoor.
Timing : 7.30 am to 12.30pm & 4pm to 8pm.
Ph No. o427-3987000.
Kottai Mariamman Temple:
This temple was built during the periods of Chera kings, belongs to Cheranadu. The Goddess is known as Malaimari. Located at Fort. Salem – 636 001
Ph.No.0427-2267845.
Kandhashramam, Udaiyapatti:
It is 5km from Salem. A temple constructed by Santhanandha Brahmendhra Saraswathi. Adhya-vadhutha Swami. Situated on the extreme northern end of the Jarugu hill on the banks of Kannimar Odai.
Ph.No.0427-2240660.
Oothumalai – Sathya Narayana Sithar Peedam :
6 km from Salem. It has special features as Sri Sathya Narayana Temple which is present on hills, similarly not found anywhere in Tamilnadu.Located. Oothumalai, Seelanaikanpatti.
Timing : 6 am to 12noon & 2pm to 8 pm.
Ph No.0427-2465477.
Kurumbapatti Zoological Park:
12 km from Salem Bus stand. There is one a small zoological park with natural beautiful environmental circumstance. Entrance fees: Adult Rs.10/- Childred Rs.5/-
Ph No.0427-2415097.
Mettur Dam:
60 km from Salem. Mettur Dam is very beautiful place for tourists. The Dam in front of it also adds beauty to it.
Dam Park:
A Beautiful park opposite to Dam was formed with Lawns, fountains. Mettur Dam is situated in a village known as Mettur.
Ph No.04298-242600
Paravasam Ulagam:
16 km from Salem city near Mallur on the NH-7 Road in the midst of cool hilly region surrounded by green trees in a calm atmosphere. There are 60 variety of games available. 10 am to 6 pm. Fare: Adult Rs.660/- & Children Rs.520/-
Ph No.0427-2422318, 2422319, Cell: 8220010017.
Siddhar Temple:
Kalangi Siddhar is one among the eighteen Tamil Siddhas. There is one temple dedicated to this. Located at the slope of kanja Malai 12 km from Salem on the way to EIampillai.
Ph No.0427-2491389.
Alagirinathar Temple:
Located in the heart of the city near the fort. Popularly known as “Kottai Perumal Koil”. The place also contains temple dedicated to Azhagiri perumal and Mariaman.
Timing: 6 am to 12 noon & 5 pm to 8 pm.
Sri Suguvaneshwara Temple:
This Temple is located near old Salem Bus Stand. There we can find so many historical monuments and statue inside the temple.
Timing: 6 am to 12 noon & 3.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Ph No.0427-2450954.
Utthama Chozhapuram:
“City of Utthamachozha”, a small town on the Thirumanimuthu Aru. Temple is dedicated to Karapura Nathar.
Ph No.0427-2221577
Thanthodreeswarar Temple:
This Temple is situated in Belur. 35 km from Salem. The variety of sculptures are famous here.
Ph No.04292-241400.
Sankagiri Fort:
Sankagiri Fort is a historical fort maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is located 22 km from the city of Erode and 38 km from Salem. Fort was built in the 15th Century by the Vijayanagar Empire. It has 12 fort walls built on and built by the British. The fort served as a British tax storage facility for Kongu Nadu. It was an important military base for Tippu Sultan and later for the British army. This is because only one side of the hill is climbable, as all the others are too steep to climb. This has a death well, granary, two masjiths, 2 Varadhraja Perumal temples, former British Army administrative buildings, and cemeteries formerly used by armies that were stationed at the fort. Dheeran Chinnamalai was hanged by British in this fort.
Dheeran Chinnamalai Pillar Memorial:
It was opened to public, the commemoration pillar memorial dedicated for freedom fighter Chinnamalai at Sankagiri (Salem) on 23rd Dec.2013. Where he was captured by the British and hanged at the Fort on July 31st 1805. Chinnamalai, who was born on April 17, 1756 in Melapalayam of the Erode district, had revolted against the British East India Company in 1792. Chinnamalai fought successful battles between 1801 and 1804 in Cauvery, Odanilai and Arachalur.
Appa Paithiyam Swamy Temple:
Appa Paithiyam Swami Temple was born in the zamin family of karur Fort in the year 1859. A temple has bee built on his Samadhi. Several thousands of devotees throng the temple during the birthday of Swami and his Guru pooja on the day of Ashwini in the Tamil month of Thai. The temple is situated near Railway Station.
Timing : 5.30 am to 12 noon & 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Aragalur:
Aragalur is about 74 km from Salem. It has two imposing temples. One is dedicated to Sri Kameswara and the other to Karivaradaperumal. There is a big Buddha statue at Thiyaganur village on the periphery of Aragalur village.
Ph No.04582-260107.
Ayodhyapattanam:
10 km from Salem. A suburban town on the eastern end of Salem City. It is supposed to have been named after Ayodhya. The birth place of Lord Rama. It contains a beautiful Vishnu temple dedicated to Kothandaramar.
Timing: 7 am to 12 noon & 4 pm to 8 pm.
Ph No.0427-2253500, 8098127383.
Badrakaliamman Temple:
Mecheri:–
Mecheri is 33 km from Salem and 20 km. away from mettur dam. The temple facing north is situated in south-east direction in the heart of Mecheri town nearby Salem – Dharmapuri highway.
Timing: 6 am to 8 pm.
Ph No.04298-278133.
Jama Masjid:
The oldest mosque in Salem, situated on the southern bank of the Thirumanimuthu Aru in the heart of the city it was reportedly built by the Mysore reler, Tippu Sulthan. Who is said to have offered prayers here.
Timing: 9.30 am to 6 pm
Ph No.0427-2267227.
Kailasanathar Koil:
30 km from Salem in Tharamangalam. There are statue of Rathi and Manmadhan. Recently a lingam has been consecrated for the welfare of the devotees. This lingam is called Paathala Lingam. If the childless people worship they will get child, unmarried people will be married.
Timing 7.30 am to 1 pm & 4 pm to 8 pm.
Ph No.04290-252100.
Events & Festivals:
Kottai Marriamman Temple:
(July) Tamil Nadu celebration of Mariyamman Temple festival is organized widely during the month of July and August. The week long festival is ended with fire walk. One of the famous Mariyamman Temple festival is celebrated at the Kottai Mariyamman Temple.
Malayali Pilgrim festival:
(May) The annual festival is celebrated in The Servarayan Kaveri Amman Temple at Yercaud is very popular and attracts thousands of Malayali pilgrims.
Adiperukku Festival:
(Aug) It is celebrated in Mettur every year in the month of August.
Yercaud Summer Festival:
The main festival in Yercaud is the Summer Festival held every year in the Last week of May. All residents and visitors take part in the festivities with flower shows, dog shows and boat races being held. There are many cultural shows put up too and the festival draws many visitors from nearby places.
Yercaud:
Yercaud is a hill station near Salem, in the Servarayan range of hills (anglicized as Shevaroys) in the Eastern Ghats. It is at an altitude of 1515 metres (4969 feet) above the see level. The total extent of Yercaud Taluk is 382.67 Sq.kms. including Reserve Forest. The entire Taluk is a Township. Yercaud has also a Panchayat Union with its Head Quarters at Yercaud and its Jurisdiction is the same as for Yercaud Taluk. Popular as the “Poor man’s Ooty”. Yercaud is one of the low cost hill station destination in India.
Access:
• Air: The nearest Airports is Bangalore (250km) and Coimbatore (190km) . All are connected to Chennai.
• Railway: The nearest railway station is Salem Junction (35 km)
• Bus: There are regular bus services between Yercaud and Salem, which is connected to Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruvannamalai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Pondicherry and Tirupati among other Places.
Anna Park:
The Park is situated next to Lake. It is typical park used to host the “Flower Show” in the month of May. The “Japanese Park” inside Anna Park is a must see. The entrance ticket adult Rs.15/- children’s Rs.10/-, Video Camera Rs.50/- Still Camera Rs.25/-
Ph No.04281-222126.
Bear’s Cave:
The main part of the cave is situated about 7 feet below the ground level and contains a deeper gorge which is believed by the local people to lead up to the cave situated in the Shervaroyan Temple.
Horticultural Farm Saplings of various plants are available at reasonable price. Entrance ticket Rs.30/-for adult and Rs.50/- for Camera.
Botanical Survey of India:
Well maintained Botanical Garden by the BSI contains a rich collection of plants. A “Bell Rock” in the BSI campus makes bell sound when you hit with stone.
Killiyur Falls:
3 km from the Yercaud Lake and should be visited after the South West or North East Monsoon. The surplus water from Yercaud Lake and the other reaches of the Shevaroys.
Ph No.0427-2416449.
Lady’s / Gent’s & Children’s Seat:
There is a natural rock formation in the form of a seat where reportedly a white English Lady spent her evenings viewing the magnificent beauty of the hill.
Shevarayan Temple:
Lord Perumal blesses devotees in the cave Temple. The festival in the month of May is a colourful event in which thousands of tribal people from the hill take part.
Timing : 6 am to 8 pm
Ph No.0427-2267845.
The Big Lake (Boating):
Lake is the only natural lake among all the hill station lakes in the south. Surrounded by a “Deer Park” and “leisure park” and “Tamilnadu Hotel” 9 am to 5.30 pm. Boating fees: Rs.320/- for 8 persons.Rs.110/- for 4 persons, Rs.80/- for 2 persons.
Ph No.04281-222273
Pagoda Point:
This lies on the Eastern side of the Yercaud hills and is also known as Pyramid point. Today there is a Rama Temple which lies between this Pagoda. One can get a grand view of Attur and Ayothiapattinam from this picnic spot. It is 5 km from the town.
Sri Raja Rajeswari Temple:
It is 4km from Yercaud on the way to Servarayan Temple. This is said to be the goddess of all gods in the Hindu Pantheon and by praying to her one can attain wealth and prosperity and be elevated to higher levels of spirituality.
Timing : 7 am to 12 noon & 4 pm to 7 pm.
Ph No.04281-222354.
Silk Farm & Rose Garden:
One can see the cultivation of Mulberries, the growing of silk worms and the method of silk worms and the method of spinning silk. The Rose Garden is a good collection of colourful Roses and also purchase nursery plants from here 2 km from town.
Further information please contact:-
Tourist officer,
Tourist office,
No.217 2nd floor,
Collectorate Salem-1
Phone No.0427-2416449