Salem district General information
Salem is a city and a corporation in Salem district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located in the north central part of the southernmost state of India, it is the fifth-largest city of Tamil Nadu, after Chennai,Madurai, Coimbatore and Trichy .Almost completely surrounded by hills, Salem is also a part of the Kongu Nadu (Coimbatore and Erode) region 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. There are also remote sites of beauty such as Kiliyur Falls.Yercaud is at an altitude of 1600 m above mean sea level.
The city is surrounded by a natural amphitheater of hills formed by the Nagaramalai to the north, the Jeragamalai to the south, the Kanjanamalai to the west, and Godumalai to the east. It is divided by the Thirumanimuthar in the main division. The fort is the oldest building in town.
History
The name Salem appears to have been derived from Sela or Shalya or Sayilam which are found in inscriptions referring to the country around the hills. Local folklore believes Salem to be the birthplace of the Tamil poetess Avvaiyar. Inscriptions from the Ganga dynasty have been recovered from parts of the district.
Salem along with Coimbatore remained under the Madurai Nayaks. Later, in the early 18th century, it came under Hyder Ali after a long feud know as the Mysore-Madurai war. Salem was then taken from Hyder Ali by Colonel Wood in the beginning of 1768. It was recaptured by Hyder ali towards the end of the year 1772. Under Lord Clive in 1799, it was again occupied by a detachment of the regiment stationed at Sankari Durg and remained a military station until 1861 when the troops were altogether withdrawn. you can still have the places like Magnum chowltry dated now Magudamchavadi.
Many great personalities including Salem Anand (Tata Consultancy Services), Salem Ramasamy Mudaliar, C. Vijayaraghavachariar, Pagadala Narasimhalu Naidu, C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) and Dr. P. Subbarayan started their political careers in Salem.
Fondly the abbreviation for SALEM city is mentioned with its economy/business
* S - STEEL (Steel production), SILK (Tradition silk saris are made here), SAGO (City leads in Sago production), SILVER (City leads in making Silver Anklets)
* A - ALUMINIUM (Bauxite Ores are present in Salem Region)
* L - LIME STONE (Region has Lime Stone Resource), Lorry/Logistics(Region is one of Prime Lorry Hub for the South India)
* E - ELECTRICITY (City gets Electricity from its own district town of Mettur)
* M - MANGO (Mango Fruit Hub of South India), MAGNESITE (region is very rich in Magnesite)
Geography
Salem is a Geologist's paradise, surrounded by hills and the landscape dotted with hillocks. Salem has vibrant culture dating back to the ancient Kongu Nadu.
Salem is located at 11.669437N 78.140865E. It has an average elevation of 278 metres (912 ft).
Demography
As of 2001 Indian Census the Salem Urban Agglomeration had a total population of 751,438, comprising Salem Municipal Corporation (696,760), Kondalampatti (16,808), Kannankurichi (14,994), Neykkarappatti (9,869), Mallamooppampatti (6,783) and Dalavaipatti (6,224). Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Salem has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 64.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 72%. In Salem, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The city has grown leaps and bounds in the last two decades, which can be observed from the official census data. Population in 1991: 499,024 & Population in 2001: 696,760.
World-Gazetteer has projected the population of the city in 2009 to be 872,361 which makes the city to be the 4th largest city in the state. However, the official figures are expected sometime in 2011.
Economy
Salem is one of the major producers of traditional silver anklets, which are popular among women.It boasts large textile, automotive, poultry and sago industries. Salem also has one of the largest magnesite deposits in India. Companies like Dalmia and TANMAG have mines here. The Leigh Bazaar market is one of the largest regional markets for agro products.[citation needed] Salem had an active film production with former Modern Theatres Studios being the hub of Tamil film production[citation needed]. Now defunct, Modern Theatres produced some of the most successful Tamil films, in which many veteran actors appeared, including former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. However, there are presently no studios in Salem.
Salem was also famous for hosting a huge number of cinema theatres in Tamil Nadu. Movie halls like Central, Oriental, Gowri, Sangeeth Complex, A.R.K Theatre, ARRS multiplex, BIG CINIMAS(ADLABS) and Alankar Theatre are some of the famous movie houses in Salem.
Tourist Place
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, Thippu Sulthan, 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.
YERCAUD LAKE:It is a picturesque pool surrounded by gardens and well wooded areas. Boating in the cold water of the lake is enchanting as well as refreshing.
THE ANNA PARK : This is a lovely garden, near the lake, maintained by Horticulture Department.
LADY'S SEAT : Natural Seat on a rock overlooking a steep drop of many hundred feet. It overlooks the winging ghat road and provides a breath-taking view. This view is spectacular at night with the twinkling lights of Salem town in sight. The Tourist can have a panoramic view of the plains below through the telescope mounted at the Lady's seat. Looking through the instrument, one can obtain a clear view of the magnese deposits of the chalk Hills.
PAGODA POINT:Pagoda point or Pyramid Point named after the ancient pyramidal cairns found here. Around the ridges of the crest are four cairns stones resembling temple towers (Pagodas) In the centre of the open space is a shrine dedicated to two anionic stones held sacred by the local Malaiyalis.
KILLIYUR FALLS: This 90 feet high waterfalls is situated amidst picturesque surrounding.
THE GRANGE: The castle like building built by the then 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 AD. in Yercaud is said to have played an important role in the revolt of 1958 A.D.
THE BEAR'S CAVE: It is situated near the Northern Bungalow on the way to Servarayan temple. It is an important tourist spot.
THE SERVARAYAN KAVERI AMMAN TEMPLE: A Malaiyalai tribal temple dedicated to Lord Servarayan also known as Ramaswamy. It is located in a narrow and dark cave on the tallest peak (5,342') on the Servarayan mountain. The annual festival held in May is very popular and attracts thousands of Malayali pilgrims. The mouth of the cave is built up like a Hindu shrine. The God Servarayan and Goddess Kaveri representing the Servarai Hills and Kaveri River respectively are seated in the temple.
THE MONTFORD SCHOOL : The Montford School and the Sacred Heart Convent are the two famous educational institutions at Yercaud imparting education to boys and girls respectively. The Montford school is named after the founder Saint Louis Merie Grigmon de Montford. A fair number of students came from foreign countries.
THE RETEAT : Started in 1945 by the Brothers of Don Bosco. This institution serves as a Novitiate House where students of the religious order stay and study.