District: Salem, State: Tamil Nadu, India Area: 11 Sq. Km. Languages Spoken: Tamil and Telugu Long Distance Code: +91-4342 Importance: Cotton and Silk handloom heaving Best Time to Visit: October to March
Description
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. <br />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. The name Salem is the corruption of the word Chera Nad, denoting visit of the Chera King to this place.
Location
Salem is situated on the banks of Tirumanimuttar River near Attar Gap between the Kalrayan and Pachamalai hills. Located at about 330 kms south of the state capital of Chennai, it is at the junction of the Bangalore, Tiruchirappalli, and Cuddalore roads.
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 meters (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.
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 hydroelectric project besides being a big fish producing water source.
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 meters (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.
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 hydroelectric project besides being a big fish producing water source.
The government museum at Salem contains valuable collections of terracotta's and sculptures.
