Salem District

Overview

Salem District in Tamil Nadu was the largest district of the state before it got bifurcated into Salem-Dharmapuri, Namakkal and Krishnagiri Districts. The district with its headquarters in Salem, is surrounded by hills on all sides.

The history of Salem Districts dates back to the stone ages. The place was once ruled by the Pandian Dynasty and later on by Pallava and Chola Dynasty. Salem is prominent for its steel plants, agriculture, handloom and textile industry and mango production and export.

Tourist Attractions in Salem

• Waterfalls at Muttal Village (15 kilometres from Attur)
• Sangagiri Fort (38 kilometres from Salem)
• Kurumbapatti Zoological Park (12 kilometres from Salem city)
• Yercaud (30 kilometres from Salem)
• Hogenkkal (65 kilometres from Salem)
• Mettur Dam (55 kilometres from Salem)
• Major places of worship include:
  • Kandhasamy Kovil (22 kilometres from Salem)
  • Kumaragiri Murugan Temple (6 kilometres from Salem city)
  • Jama Masjid, Salem
  • Lingam Temple, Ariyanoor
  • Kottai Mariamman Temple
  • Kandhashramam, Udaiyapatti (5 kilometres from Salem)
  • Sathya Narayana Sithar Peedam, Oothumalai (6 kilometres from Salem)

How to reach Salem

Road – Salem is well connected with all major cities. National Highways NH 7 (North-South), NH 47 and NH 68 intersect at Salem.

Rail – Salem Railway Junction is an important transit point where many routes merge.

Air – Trichy International Airport (135 kilometres away) and Coimbatore Airport (150 kilometres away) are the nearest airports to Salem.