About Salem
Salem is the fifth largest city in Tamil Nadu in terms of population, after Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli respectively, and fourth in terms of urbanization.
The area of the city is 100 km2 (39 sq mi). It is the fifth municipal corporation and urban agglomeration commissioned in Tamil Nadu after Chennai (Madras) (1919), Coimbatore (1981), Madurai (1971) Tiruchirappalli (1994) and Tirunelveli (1994). As of 2011, the city had a population of 1,272,743.
History
Cheralam, Shalya, Sayilam and Sailam are found in inscriptions referring to the country around the hills Nagarmalai in the north, Jeragamalai in the south, Kanjanamalai in the west and Godumalai in the east. Locals claim Salem to be the birthplace of Tamil poetess Avvaiyar.
Geography
Salem is located at 11.669437°N 78.140865°E.[5] The average elevation is 278 m (912 ft). The city is surrounded by hills on all sides, namely, Nagaramalai in the north, Jarugumalai in the south, Kanjamalai in the west, Godumalai to the east and the Shevaroy Hills to the north east. Governemnt Website
Culture
It follows typical Tamizh culture with lot of diversities and divisions.
Cuisine
There are amazing cuisines like the famous Idly-Sambhar,Dosa,Parottha,desserts like payasam,pongal,kollu kattai and many more mouth-watering south-Indian dishes.
City Administration
Salem is the headquarters of the Salem District. The town was constituted as a municipality 1867, promoted to special-grade during 1966 and as a municipal corporation from 1 April 1994. The Salem municipal corporation has 60 wards and there is an elected councillor for each of those wards.[14] The functions of the municipal corporation are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, city planning and Information Technology (IT). All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the executive head.[15] The legislative powers are vested in a body of 60 members, one each from the 60 wards.[16] The legislative body is headed by an elected Chairperson assisted by a Deputy Chairperson.
Holy Places
Kottai perumal temple, Skandhashram, Kothandaramar temple, Sithar Koil are other important temples located in Salem. OOthumali Murugan temple, Pandurangan Hill temple, Kumaragiri Hill Murugan temple, Kariperumal Karadu Hill temple are the other temples located in the small hill rocks in Salem. ISKON has built a new temple in Karuppur near Salem.
Jama Masjid is the oldest mosque in Salem, situated on the southern bank of the Thirumanimutharu River in the heart of the city. It was reportedly built by the Mysore ruler, Tippu 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.
Lechler Memorial Church, the oldest church in Salem was built in 1856 by German missionary Lechler in Fort salem. Infant Jesus Church a famous church is situated near Four Roads and The Calvary Assembly of God Church is situated at Bangalore high way, Mamangam, Reformed Baptist Church is situated in the Foothills of Yercaud
Hotel
Hotel Salem Castle A-4, Bharathi Street, Swarnapuri, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636004, India. www.hotelsalemcastle.com +91 98439 11175
Grand Estancia 349/3, Bangalore bye pass road, narasothipatty, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636004,India. www.grthotels.com +91 427 277 7770
Hospital
DHARAN HOSPITAL Category: GENERAL HOSPITAL Address: SEELA NAICKEN PATTI BYR PASS. ON A NATIONAL HIGHWAY Pin Code :636201 Phone Number :0427-2281717/2281599/1699
Economy
Salem has established itself as one of the major textile centers in Tamil Nadu with more than 125 spinning mills, modern weaving units and garment units.The history of handloom and spinning mills dates back to pre-independence period in Salem. But till 1960s, Salem has less than 5 established spinning mills. Post 1960, private handloom weaving began to thrive in the region along with the large scale cooperative sector handloom weaving and marketing units.