Salem (Tamilnadu, India)

Salem is situated in the heart of Tamilnadu. The city owes its name to the mountains that surround it. Lying at the base of Yercuda Hills, Salem has rich natural beauty for the tourists to enjoy their vacations. The name Salem perhaps originated from the word Sela or Shalya, which refers to the country around the hills, as found in the inscriptions. According to local tradition, Salem is the birth place of Tamil poetess Avvaiyar.

Sightseeing:

Aragalur:
Situated approximately 21 km from Attur, Aragalur has 2 old temples and a large Buddha statue. It holds a one-day Temple Car festival in summer inviting a host of devotees in the region.

Mettur Dam:
This is a major dam built across the river cauvery. Besides providing irrigation facilities to Erode, Trichy and Thanjavur Districts, Mettur dam also serves as a picnic spot. There is a beautiful park opposite to dam formed with Lawns, Parks and children play materials.

Tharamangalam:
Located at a distance of 27kms from Salem Tharamangalam is famous for Kailasanathar Temple. Housing beautiful statues and stone carvings, the temple walls and its granite roofs has figures of tortoise, fish, monkey, crocodile carved out. There is a rotating lotus flower in the ceiling which is just one of the beautiful futures that adorn the Temple.

Sitthar Koil:
Salem is also home to the heritage temple of Sitthar Koil, which is located about 10 km from the city. It is a Shiva Temple based on the foot hills of Kanja Malai.

Government Museum: This museum at Salem preserves valuable collections of terracotta's and sculptures.