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Salem district is bounded on the north by Dharmapuri
district, on the east by Villupuram and Perambalur districts, on the south
by Namakkal district and on the west by Erode
district. The district headquarters is located at Salem.
Location And Name
Salem is on the Tirumanimuttar River near Attur Gap between the Kalrayan
and Pachamalai hills. Situated at the junction of the
Bangalore,
Tiruchirappalli, and
Cuddalore roads, 332-km southwest of Chennai
(formerly Madras), the city's name derives from "Sela Nad" (a
corruption of "Chera Nad"), a term denoting the visit of an
early Chera king.
The area around Salem is composed of a series of hills ('Shevaroy',
'Kalrayan', 'Kollaimalai', and 'Pachaimalai') in the east and a section of
the Cauvery (also spelt Kaveri) River
valley in the west.
The City Of Salem
Well-known for cotton and silk handloom weaving, Salem has developed as a
large-scale industrial center, with electrical and chemical factories,
tool workshops, and brass rolling mills. The Indian Institute of Handloom
Technology, the second of its kind in India, is located here.
Archaeological remains show that the region was occupied during the
Neolithic period. In historic times the land formed part of independent
Kongu Nad, but was later conquered by Chola, Vijayanagar, and Muslim
rulers. It was ceded to the British in 1797.
Salem district has a good number of picturesque hill ranges
and rocks and is dotted with more than 750 temples, big and small, some of
them dating back to the Chera, Chola and Pandya days. Quite a few of these
temples are more than 1000 years old. Many of these temples are located in
the hill ranges and rocks. Saivite saints like Appar, Manickavachagar,
Tirugnanasambandar and Arunagirinathar have sung in praise of some of
these temples.
Yercaud
30-km north of Salem is Yercaud, a lesser-known hill station when
compared to Ooty
and Kodaikanal. Yercaud is
situated at an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,920 feet), on the Shevaroy
hills of the Eastern Ghats. The lofty hills are of extraordinary scenic
beauty endowed with a salubrious climate. Yercaud is also called "Ooty
of the Poor " and is known for Coffee Plantations and Orange Groves.
The highest point in Yercaud is the Shevaroy temple, which is situated at
a height of 5326.
Mettur Dam
The Mettur Dam across the River Cauvery (also spelt as Kaveri) as it
enters Salem district is one of the biggest reservoirs with a water spread
of 15,540 hectares. This reservoir is not only a source of irrigation
essentially in Trichy and Thanjavur districts but also a hydro-electric
project besides being a big fish producing water source.
Government Museum
The government museum at Salem contains valuable collections of
terracotta's and sculptures.
Attur
Located at a distance of 13-km from Salem is Attur with a well-preserved
old fort.
Aragalur
Aragalur, 74-km from Salem has tow imposing temples; one is dedicated to
Sri Kameswara and the other to Karivaradaperumal. There is a big Buddha
statue at Thiyaganur village at the outskirts of Aragalur Village.
Sankagiri
At a distance of 35-km from Salem is Sankagiri famous for its fort, the
origin of which is traced back to the 13th century AD.
Taramangalam
Taramangalam, 33-km from Salem is famous for Sri Kailasanathar Temple.
Figures of tortoise, fish, monkey, crocodile are carved out on the walls
and granite roofs. The Gopuram is bedecked with stucco figures. Statues of
Rathi-Manmatha, Vali-Sugriva of the epic Ramayana and Yali with rotating
stone ball in its mouth - the rotating lotus flowers in the ceiling are
some of the beautiful sculptures.
Tiruchengodu
Tiruchengodu, 45-km from Salem is one of the seven Shivasthalams in
Kongunadu. The Arthanareeswarar Temple is located on a hillock here. The
presiding deity of the temple is represented in half male and half female
form i.e. Shiva and Sakthi worshipped as one.
Poiman Karadu
Poiman Karadu, is situated on the Salem-Namakkal National Highway. Seen
from the plains to the east of the hill from a particular spot, the
likeness of a deer with two horns is visible in a cave between rocks on
the hill. The mysterious vision disappears when one gets, nearer hence the
name Poiman Karadu.
Kolli Hills
Located at a distance of 100-km from Salem and at an altitude of 1,190
meters are the Kolli Hills, another famous hill station in Salem district,
next to Yercaud. Sri Arappaleeswarar Temple on top of Chathuragiri hills
is one of the oldest. The terrace type 70 hairpin bent Ghat road, the
fruits cultivated here, honey and the unchanged tribal cultures are unique
memories.
The wonderful Agasakangai waterfall flowing from a height over 200 ft is
a unique scene. Valvil Ori Festival and Tourism Festivals are celebrated
during August every year. 
Hogenakkal
Waterfalls
Hogenakkal Waterfalls is one of the wonderful waterfalls in Tamil Nadu.
It is located at a distance of 114-km from Salem and 133-km from
Bangalore. It is a
part of the River Cauvery (also spelt
as Kaveri) and is about 250 metres above sea level. The main attraction of
the falls is its vertical drop from a height of 20 metres with a
thundering sound. Surrounded by mountains, Hogenakkal offers a quite
holiday in comfort.
Dharmapuri
About 53-km from Salem is Dharmapuri, the district headquarters of the
district of the same name. It has an ancient temple. The famous
Adiyamankottai fort is 8 km from Dharmapuri.
Hosur
Hosur is known for its cattle farm. It is about 90-km from Dharmapuri and
is now becoming an important industrial centre. Thali known as "Little
England" for its climate is 25-km from Hosur.
Air: The nearest airport is at
Trichy.
Rail: Salem has its railway station and trains run from it to all
the major cities in Tamil Nadu,
Kerala and
Karnataka .
Road: Salem is well connected by road to all major cities in
Tamil Nadu. For local transportation taxis, auto
rickshaws and city buses are available.
Accommodation is available at the star, moderate class and small budgeted hotels and lodges in Salem.
The Salem district mainly adores the village Goddesses.
Thus, Mariamman festivals are unique in the district. Masi Magham, which
takes place at Mecheri, is the biggest festival in the district. It is a
7-day car festival celebrated in honour of Bhadrakali Amman.
Festivals of longest duration are observed in Attur Taluk (also spelt as
Taluka) of Salem district. The Agni Festival and The Car Festival are
celebrated in veneration of Goddess Mariamman. These festivals last
nothing short of 30 days.
Salem Government Hospital
Ananthammal Nursing Home
Gokulam Hospital
Gopi Memorial Hospital
KRG Nursing Home
Kamala Hospital
Noble Hospital (P) Ltd.
State Bank Of Mysore
Car Street, Salem-1
Indian Overseas Bank
Reg. Office, Ideal Garden Complex, 5 Roads, Salem
Central Bank Of India
Fort Main Road, Shevapet, Salem - 2.
State Bank Of India
Sirutholil Branch, Hasthampatty, Salem-7
Syndicate Bank
Shevapet, Salem-2
Canara Bank
Regional Office, Sarada College Road, Alagapuram, Salem
Tourist Office at Hotel Tamilnadu Complex, Salem-1
Area: 19.94-sq-kms
Population: 366,712 (1991 Census)
Latitude: N 11o19' and 11o 58'
Longitude: E 77o 40' to 78o 50'
Altitude: 1,523 metres
Clothing: Light Cottons
Languages Spoken: Tamil and Malayalam
STD Code: 0427
Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C):
Summer- Max 38.2ºC, Min 28.0ºC
Winter- Max 29.4ºC, Min 22.4ºC
Rainfall: 960mm
Attur - 13-km
Dharmapuri - 53-km
Erode - 58-km
Mettur - 119-km
Namakkal - 48-km
Perambulur - 90-km
Villuppuram - 150-km