Tourist places in Salem
Salem District is a southern district of Tamil Nadu, India. Headquarter of the Salem district is Salem town. This town includes Mettur, Omalur and Attur. Salem is encircled by hills and landscape dotted with hillocks. It has excellent culture dating back to the old of Kongu Nadu (Coimbatore). It has importance in various fields. It is well known for Mango cultivation, silver ornaments, textile, sago industries and steel production. The population of the district is 34,82,056 (As of 2011). The gender ration of the district is 954 females for every 1,000 males. Salem has many tourist places which is very famous all over the globe. Let's see important tourist places one by one.
Yercaud Hills and lake (Ooty of Salem)
Yercaud is one of the famous well known hill stations of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 22 KMs away from Salem. It is a part of Servarayan Range in the Eastern Ghats. It is 4,920 feet above from the sea level. This area is very popular for coffee plantations and orange groves, with an orchidarium which is functioned by the Botanical Survey of India. The highest altitude of the hills is the site of Servarayan Temple that is a main reason it sometimes referred to as Shevaroy Hills. Here there is a famous boating site and gardens also located. Yercaud is derived from lake which is located at its center. In Tamil ‘Yeri’ which means lake and ‘Kaadu’ means forest.
It is one of the popular attraction of Salem which is located 3 KMs away from the city. This Falls flows from a height of 300 feet and also famous for boating and swimming.
Kurumbapatti Zoological Park
It is a small zoological park which is located 6 KMs away from the city of Salem. This is mainly famous for its bird species, like the white peacock and small multicolor cranes.
There is a lovely garden, which is located near the lake and maintained by Horticulture Department.
It is a natural seat which provides a breath taking view. This view is spectacular at night with the flash lights of Salem town in sight. You can have a panoramic view of the plains through telescope which is installed in the Lady’s seat. So you can get a clear view of the magnese deposits of the chalk hills.
Pagoda point also called Pyramid point. The reason for the name is ancient pyramidal cairns found here. This is one of the famous viewpoints in Yercaud.
This is a building which is built by the Collector of Salem. Mr. M.D. Cockburn who first introduced coffee from Arabia and Apples and other fruits from South Africa between 1820 A.D. and 1829 A.D. in Yercaud is said to have played a significant role in the mutiny of 1958 A.D.
It is located near the Northern Bungalow on the path to Servarayan temple. It is very famous and one of the important tourist places you should visit.
The Servarayan Kaveri Amman temple
It is a Malaiyali tribal temple which is dedicated to Lord Servarayan also called as Ramaswamy. It is situated in dark cave on the Servarayan Mountain. Here, the annual festival was held in May and is very popular and lure thousands of Malayali pilgrims. The entrance of the cave is built like a Hindu shrine. The goddess Kaveri and Servarayan represents Servarai Hills and Kaveri River respectively.
It is started in the year 1945 by Brothers of Don Bosco. It serves as a Novitiate House where students of the religious order stay and study.
Other Places
- Ornamental plants at green house
- Orchard-cum-Nursery of rose plants
- Silk farm
- Horticulture research station
- Orchidarium
- Lake park
- Salem view etc.
Mettur is a picnic spot located 60 KMs away from Salem. It is an industrial town on the west bank of the Kaveri River. The fish which is caught from here are exported as far as Calcutta. The major dam (Mettur dam) (5,300’ long, 176’ high) of the state, which is constructed across the Kaveri. It was constructed between the hills of Palamalai, Seetha malai during the late 1929’s. The water capacity of the dam is 5,46,000 cubic feet is mainly aimed for irrigation. Some portion of water was used to generating electricity.
The park is located opposite to Mettur dam with beautiful Lawns, fountains. This park lures large number of tourists in the Tamil Nadu. There is a Muniyappan or Ayyanar temple located near the Dam Park. Adiperukku (Tamil month Adi eighteenth day) festival is celebrated in Mettur every year in the month of August.
It is located 6 KMs away from Salem. You can view Salem from this point. It’s amazing…! In Utthumalai there is a Murugan temple which is very famous.
Tharamangalam is a town which is located 27 KMs away from Salem. Here there is a Kailasanathar Temple which is known for its excellent architectural beauty that contains very detailed statues and stone carvings, and rotating lotus flower in its ceiling.
It is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of Salem city and it is located in the main city and on the banks of river Tirumanimuthar. The presiding deity of the temple is goddess Kottai Mariamman. Here, there is a car festival called Shevapet Mariamman temple car festival which is very famous and held every year between the months of July and August and lasts for a week.
It is located near the old bus stand of Salem district, is one of the significant pilgrimage sites of Salem. It was built during the 13th century A.D. by Mamannan Sundara Pondiyan. According to a legend, Sage Sugha Brahmarishi worshipped and performed penance at this place. Here, Arunagiri nathar also sang a song for Lord Muruga on this temple.
Arulmigi Alagirinathar temple
It is also called as Thirukoil Kottai Perumal or Kottai Perumal Koil, which is located in the heart of the Salem city. It was constructed many centuries ago and it is very famous for its olden sculptures. Here, Vaikunta Ekadasi is the foremost festival celebrated in every year. There are two more temples which is located nearby dedicated to Azhagiri perumal and Mariamman. In the 1854, these deities were moved to the Karapura Nathar Kovil, when the Perumal temple fell into dilapidation. After that it was brought back and rebuilt in the year 1865.
Ellai Pedari Ammal Temple
This temple is located near Government arts and Science College in Maravaneri, Salem. It is very famous for its weeklong festival which is celebrated between March and April. The main tradition of this festival is walking on fire.
It is an outskirt of town, located 10 KMs away from Salem. The name is derived from Ayodhya which was the birthplace of Lord Rama. The Lord Rama is stayed here on his journey to Sri Lanka, at the end of his war with the demon king, Ravana. The surroundings of the temple are Vishnu temple with Kodandaramar as its main deity.
It is a temple complex located 5 KMs away from city of Salem. It’s situated in the extreme northern end of the Jarugu Malai Mountain, on the banks of a stream called Kannimar Odai. This was established in the year 1970 to 1971, by Santhanandha Brahmendra Sarasvathi Adhya Vadhutha Swamy. Main deities of the temple are Murugan (Skandha guru), Ashtabuja Mahalakshmi and Parvathi (Durga Parameshvari).
The Kandhaswamy temple also called as Kalipatti. This temple dedicated to lord Murugan. It is one of the richest temples in Salem District. This temple was founded by Palani Kavundar and build by Katteri Lakshmana Kavundar in the 8th century.
1008 Lingam temple is one of the very famous temples in Salem. It is situated in Ariyanoor and is came the regime of a private department of the Vinayaga mission. The main specialty of the temple is 1008 lingams located at one place.
On the way to Elampillai (which is 10 KMs away from Salem) is associated with Siddhar saints and attracts devotes in large number.
Paravasa Ulagam water theme park
The Paravasa ulagam water theme park is located at 16 KMs away from the city of Salem, near Mallur on the National Highway 7. This water park contains a green and calm environment, complemented by water games, go-karting, biking, science park, video games, wave pool and waterfalls. In Neikkarapatti, Salem, there is a theme park called Dream land. So you can visit there also.
Sathya Narayana sithar beedam
Sri Sathya Narayana sithar beedam is located 6 KMs away from the city of Salem, at the hill top of Utthumalai hill.
Sithar temple (Sri Kalangi Sithar)
Kalangi Siddhar temple is one of th 18 Siddha temples and is located at the foot of Kanji Malai. Here there is a perennial wells, small reservoirs and waterfalls surrounded this temple. On new moon day and full moon day special Pujas are held at this temple.
Jama Masjid (constructed by Tipu sultan)
Jama Masjid is one of the oldest mosques of Salem, located on the southern banks of River Thirumanimuthu. It is constructed by Tippu sultan.
It is one of the famous Ardhanareeswarar hill temple which is one of the 64 manifestations of Lord Siva, representing the unity of Shiva and Parvathi. It is located at Tiruchengode. It is one of the oldest temple mentioned in the Tamil work Silapathikaram as Neduvelkunru. Here there is a Lord Murga temple, called Chenkottu Velavar located in the same hill.
It is one of the 300 years old forts which is located in Attur, Salem.
The Sankakiri fort is one of the historical importance of Salem, which is located 30 KMs away from the city. It is located on the Sankakiri hills at a height of 40 feet. It has 10 compound walls, 5 temples, 2 mosques and 6 platforms. Here there are some important items present at this fort like weapons, pistols, jewels etc.
Sankari durg is very famous for Someswar temple, which lures lots of devotees. There is a rock similar to Maladi hills, which is about 40 feet high and almost equally broad. A well-known cement factory located here because of enormous limestone reserve.
Belur temple has excellent architectural design which is 25 KMs away from Salem. It is located on the banks of river Vashistanadhi. The white rock north of Belur is said to symbolize the ashes of the Yagam (Sacrificial fire) performed by Vashista.