Salem

     Salem got its name from the San skrit word ‘Sailam’ which means mountain.  As this area is surrounded by hills, it is apt to be called Salem.  Local folklore believes Salem to be the birthplace of the Tamil poetess Avvaiyar.  It is a land of minerals.  The hills around Salem have iron ore, bauxite, limestone, precious stones etc.  Salem is the fifth largest city of Tamilnadu.  This district was later divided into three:  Dharmapuri, Namakkal and Salem.  Another specialties: S- for steel,  A – for aluminum, L – for Limestone, E- for electricity (There is hydro – electric power generation in Mettur) and M – for mango (Salem mangoes are famous). Yercaud, a beautiful hill station, is located here.  Since Salem is a city with infrastructures well developed, tourists can stay in this place and visit the places in the neighboring districts of Namakkal and Dharmapuri.  Salem along with Coimbatore remained under the Madurai Nauaks.  Later, in the early 18th century, it came under Hyder Ali after a long feud knows as the Mysore-Madurai war.  In 1947 Salem became a part of free India.  In 1951 exchange of villages between Mysore and Madras State took place under the provinces and states (Absorption of Enclaves) order 1950. 1961 Sankari Taulk was formed from Trichengode Taluk.  In 1965 Salem District was bifurcated into Salem-Dharmapuri Districts (2-10-1965).  Salem constituted 4 Taluks Hosur,  Krishnagiri, Harur and Dharmapuri.  Salem constituted 8 taluks Salem, Yercaud, Attur, Omalur, Mettur, Sankagiri, Gangavalli, Idappadi. In 1998 Attur Division was newly formed and a new Taluk Valapadi was formed.

Many great personalities including Salem Ramasamy Mudaliar, C. Vijayaraghavchariar, Pagadala Narasimhalu Naidu, C.Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) and Dr. P. Subbrarayan started their political careers in Salem.

Salem is at the base of the renowned tourist destination of Yercaud Hills, which offers breathtaking views both along the ride up the hill and from the peak.  Salem is one of the largest producers of traditional silver anklets, which are popular among women.

Salem boasts large textile, automotive, poultry and sago industries. Salem has one of the largest magnesite deposits in India.  Companies like Dalmia and TANMAG have mines here.

Mettur Dam

Mettur about 30 km From Salem is connected by rail.  Buses also ply from Salem to Mettur. Mettur dam is one of the largest of its kind in the world.  It is constructed in a gorge where the river Cauvery enters the plains.  It was completed in 1934.  Its height is 65 metre, length 1616 metre, are 15,540 hectare and capacity 2648 cubic metre.  This is a hydro-electric power station producing 240 mega watt powers.  Water is stored here during floods and rains and let out for irrigating to the deltaic regions of the Cauvery.  There are a number of factories here like soaps and detergent manufacturing factories, galvanizing plants, Vanaspathi units etc. and with permit, visitors could see them.  With permit, visitors could also enter the tunnel of the dam and also witness the hydro electric power station.  The dam, the park, the major Hydro Electric power stations and hills on all sides make Mettur a good tourist attraction.

Sankakiri Fort

The Sankakiri Fort is one of the important historic places in Salem District.  This fort has been constructed on the hill of Sankakiri.  It is about 40ft. high and almost equally broad. This fort has ten compound walls having individual name for that.  Inside of this fort, there are 6 platforms and 5 temples, 2 Mosques.  The Weapons, Pistol and Jewels used by the emperor Tipu Sultan, Theeran Chinnamalai were found there.  On the way to Sankakiri Fort we can see one Christian Church in the name of St. Antony.

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 ruler, Tippu Sultan, who is said to have offered prayers here.  The Masjid Inam granted to this mosque was confirmed by the British in 1862.  By a special resolution in 1880.

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.