Salem, Tamil Nadu.html

?Salem Tamil Nadu • India
Salem
Coordinates: 11°37′30″N 78°09′54″E / 11.625, 78.165
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	102 km² (39 sq mi) • 278 m (912 ft)
District(s)	Salem
Population • Density	7,51,438 (2007^[update]) • 9,060 /km² (23,465 /sq mi)
Mayor	J. Rekha Priyadharshini
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle	• 636xxx • +91-427 • TN 27,TN 30 and TN 54

Coordinates: 11°37′30″N 78°09′54″E / 11.625, 78.165

Salem pronunciation (help·info) (Tamil: சேலம்) 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, Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy. Almost completely surrounded by hills, Salem is also a part of the Kongu Nadu (Tirupur and Coimbatore) 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.¹ Yercaud is at an altitude of 1600 m above mean sea level.

The city is surrounded by a natural amphitheatre 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^{citation needed}. 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 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of the regiment stationed at Sankari Durg and remained a military station until 1861 when the troops were altogether withdrawn.

Many great personalities including Salem Ramasamy Mudaliar, C. Vijayaraghavachariar, Pagadala Narasimhalu Naidu, C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) and Dr. P. Subbarayan started their political careers in Salem.

Geography

Salem is located at 11°40′10″N 78°08′27″E / 11.669437, 78.140865.² It has an average elevation of 278 metres (912 ft).

Demographics

As of 2001 Indian Census³ 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 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 72%. In Salem, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Economy

Salem is one of the major producers of traditional silver anklets, which are popular among women.⁴It boasts large textile, automotive, poultry and sago industries. ⁵Salem also has one of the largest magnesite deposits in India. Companies like Dalmia and TANMAG have mines here. ⁶The 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, ADLABS and Alankar Theatre are some of the famous movie houses in Salem.

Major industrial units in and around Salem

Salem Steel Plant (SAIL)
SISCOL (Jindal Steel Works)
MALCO
Chemplast Sanmar
Burn Standard & Co
Tata Refractories
Dalmia Magnesite
TANMAG
SAGOSERVE
Indian-Oil Bottling Plant
PowerGrid
Madras cements, vazhapadi (under construction from 2007)
Arun ice cream
Kaliswari( Gold winner oil)
Porkulan Technology, India
Kali Aerated WaterWorks (Manf:Softdrinks-BOVONTO)

Export commodities

Textiles, yarn, granite, readymade garments, mangoes, coir products and stainless steel

Special Economic Zones (SEZ)

Being one of the fastest growing tier II cities, the Tamil Nadu government and ELCOT are planning an IT park in Salem covering about 160 acres (0.65 km²).⁷ ⁸ SAIL is planning a Steel SEZ inside the Salem Steel plant covering about 250 acres (1.0 km²)⁹.

There is an exclusive Electrical and Electronics Industrial Estate in the Suramangalam area of Salem city. ¹⁰

Religious sites

There are several Mariamman temples in Salem. Mariamman is a Hindu goddess, an incarnation of Shakti. Every year around July the city celebrates Mariamman festival for a fortnight. During this festival, Goddess Mariamman is decorated with jewellery and flower chariots and taken around the city at midnight. On the first important day of the festival, people walk on fire (note: devotees call fire as flower) with their prayers. The second day is colourful with parades of fancy dress. This is one of the best times to visit Salem. This festival is celebrated at temples at Fort, Shevapet, Ammapet, Gugai, Andheripati etc. Shevapet Mariamman temple car is the biggest one among the cars of Amman temples across the state. This festival is celebrated for a week. The Kottai Marriamman temple is very famous not only in Salem but throughout Tamil Nadu.

There is an Alagirnathar Thirukoil popularly known as "Kottai Perumal Koil", located at the heart of the city. The temple has been built centuries ago and has some beautiful sculptures. "Vaikunta Ekadasi" is the most famous festival in the temple, and on that day, lakhs of devotees visit the temple.In this temple, other festivals such as Brahmotsavam, Pavithrotsavam, Navarathri, and Puratasi are celebrated at good spirit. Thousands of devotees throng the temple during these days. "Aandaal Thirukalyanam" is a famous utsavam in the temple for which a special garland is brought from Sri Villi Puttur ("Soodi kodutha sudar malai")

The Sugavaneshwarar temple is also a very important shrine of Salem. Mythology records that sage Sugha Brahmarishi worshiped the lord here. Arunagirinadhar has sung a song on Lord Muruga in Sugavaneshwarar temple.

Kandashramam is a small hill temple for Lord Muruga. It is situated 10 km from Salem City towards Chennai highway. Kandashramam houses statues of unique and vital gods. It has the statues of Panchamukha Anjaneya, Panchamukha Vinayagar, Swarna Bhairavar, Dhanvanthri, and others. In Salem City, at Seelanaickenpatty there is another hill for Lord Murugan, named Oothumalai.

Kumaragiri is a small temple for Lord Muruga. It is situated 5 km from Salem city.

Two more mountain temples are in Salem for Lord Vishnu.

Salem also has a Heritage Temple called Sitthar Koil, which is located about 10 km from Salem. This is a Shiva temple, which is located in the foothills of Kanja Malai. Some believers say that this temple was built by Sitthar's which is believed that they still survive in the Mount of Kanja Malai. The famous Tamil poetess Avvayar is believed to be living in this hills.

Aragalur is located approximately 21 km from Attur, boasting two old temples and a large Buddha statue. The one day Temple car festival in summer invites many people in the region. The Kailasanatha Temple situated at Tharamangalam is very famous for its architectural beauty. The Tharamangalam temple has many beautiful sculptures. Noteworthy amongst them are the sculptures of Arjuna's penace, Shiva-parvathi & Manmadha, Rama killing Vaali, etc. There are ancient shiva temples at Belur (Thanthondreeshwarar) and Uttamacholapuram (Karaburanathar). Ayothiappattanam, located 7 km away from the city, houses a beautiful Kothandaramar temple.

A Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama is located in Salem. It was started in 1928 and made a branch of the mission in 1941.

Also, Eden Gardens School near Gandhi Road area has an attached prayer hall which functions as LEF.

All parts of Salem are covered by mosques. Jamia masjid in Bazaar St, Meltheru and Keeltheru Mosques in Fort, mosques near railway junction and New integrated bus terminal, mosques in Ammapet, 5 Roads and Gugai are the famous one. Moreover there is a famous Arabic college located near Tamilnadu Magnesite, Salem, offering world-class Arabic studies to the students.

A Angala Paramashwari temple is situvated in near kottagoundapatti near the Sellapilikuttai

A relatively new ISKCON ashram has been started, home to a very enthusiastic group of ISKCON devotees, mostly young brahmacharis, who have recently relocated to a new property, a three-acre plot of land, just a half kilometer from Periyaar University and the Government Engineering college. The new land is located just three kilometers outside Salem, off the main highway to Bangalore, well known as the Bangalore-Madurai highway, which is in the process of being upgraded to a four-lane highway. Gokul Chandra Prabhu, a towering six-foot, five-inch (127 mm) tall Croatian brahmachari, who’s been residing in India for the past thirteen years, is the temple manager. One of the most interesting aspects of this new construction is that Gokul Chandra Prabhu has been inspired to use "traditional" building materials — for the most part, but with a few exceptions — to construct the "ashram" buildings, including a few residential huts, a temporary temple, a library and a kitchen.

In 1930, the city was made the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salem. The Bishop is Sebastianappan Singaroyan and the cathedral is the Infant of Jesus Cathedral.

Transport and traffic

Salem is a transit point for travel between Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Madurai, Ernakulam/Cochin, Pondicherry, Trichy, Kanniyakumari and other places.

Road

Three important National Highways NH7(North-South), NH47(Leading to West) and NH68(Leading to East) intersect at Salem.

Rail

Salem is an important rail junction in South India, because of its strategic location. Trains from Chennai to Coimbatore/Kerala (East-West) and trains from Bangalore to Southern districts[North-South] pass through the city, making it an important transit hub. In 2007, Salem became a rail-division. This was formally inaugurated on 1 November,2007 by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.¹¹ . The Salem rail-division was carved out of the Palakkad rail-division in Kerala, which had created dissension between the two states.

The main train originating from salem is

MS Salem Express

The other Prime train From Salem to the state Capital is

Yercaud Express , although the rain originates from erode, this train is also a main train from salem, which was earlier orginating from here.

Salem enjoys good rail connectivity throughout the day to the state capital Chennai. Initiatives have been taken for a faster train from Chennai to Coimbatore via Salem. New railway track is under construction from Salem to Karur via Namakkal.

Air

Salem Aiport- Salem has a domestic airport with international standards (code FR3241) at Kamalapuram near Omalur on NH7 towards Dharmapuri, but currently (2008) it is only being used for charter flights. The nearest airports are at Trichy (135km) and Coimbatore (159km).

Salem Airport

No.of Runways : 1
Runway Direction : 04-22
Runway length :8000 ft (paved)
Taxiways : Halfway Backtracking and continue Taxiway A

Education

This article does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (January 2007)

Salem, which was once considered the most educationally backward district in Tamil Nadu, now has a few good educational institutions.

Universities

Periyar University is located in Karuppur, Salem.
Vinayaga Missions Deemed University, Salem.
Government Medical College and Government Nursing College, Salem.

Engineering colleges

Government College of EngineeringGovernment College of Engineering, Salem GCE, Salem.
Vinayaka Mission's University was established in the year 2001 as a 48th University in India.
Sona College of Technology, established in the year 1997, situated in the heart of city.
AVS Engineering college for Women established in 2008.
Maha College of Engineering, established in the year 2004, situated in Vazhapadi, at a distance of 12 km from the city.
The Kavery Engineering College, Mecheri, Mettur.
Greentech college of engineering for women established in 2008, Attur.
Rabindranath Tagore institute of engineering and technology established in 2008, Attur.
Bharathiyar Institiute of engineering for women establishen in 2008, Attur.
Narasu’s Sarathy Institute of Technology established in 2008, Omalur.

Colleges of Education

Thiagarajar college of Education, Lakshmi Nagar, Valappady(Tk), Salem (Dt) - 636 115.

Teacher Training Institute

Thiagarajar Teacher Training Institute (Women), Lakshmi Nagar, Vallappady(Tk), Salem (Dt) - 636 115.

Arts and science colleges in Salem District

Government Arts College
Salem Sowdeswari College
Sri Shakthi kailassh college for Women
Government Arts college for Men
Government Arts college for Women
Sarada College (Arts and Science) for Women
Sarada College of Education
Vysya College
Jairam Arts and Science College
Paavenar college of Arts and Science
Padmavani college of Arts and Science for Women
Rabindranath Tagore college of Arts and science
Sri Balamurugan Arts and Science College
Sri Ganesh college of Arts and Science
Vinaka Missions Kirupananda Variyar Arts and Science College, Ariyanur
A.A Govt Arts college, Attur
Bharathiyar Arts and science college for women, Attur
AVS college of arts and Science, Salem

Schools in Salem

Government-aided schools (state board syllabus)

'Municipal Girls Hr Sec School, Ammapet, Salem - 3'
Bharathi Vidyalaya Hr. Sec. School, Salem 7
The Gugai Higher Secondary School, Gugai, Salem-636 006.
Little Flower Higher Secondary School, Four Roads, Peramanoor post, Salem
Sri Ramakrishna Saradha Higher Secondary School, Subramania Nagar, Salem
Bharathi Vidyalaya Higher Secondary School, Maraveneri, Salem
St. Marys Girls Higher Secondary School, Arisipalayam, Salem-9
Sri Sarada Vidyalaya Girls Higher Secondary School, Fairlands, Salem
St. Pauls Higher Secondary School
CSI Higher Secondary School
Neelambal Subramanium Higher Secontary School, Salem, Old Suramangalem
Gokulanatha Hindu Mahajana Higher Secondary School, Salem

Private schools (Matriculation)

Christopher Matriculation Higher Secondary School, 'Bethlehem', Panamrathupatti, Salem 636 204 email:cmhssadmin@gmail.com
Cluny Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Peramanoor, Salem 636007
Sugam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Dasanaicken Patty, Salem 636201
St.John's Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Fairlands, Salem-636016. Ph:(0091) 0427- 2447767
Holy Angels Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Fairlands, Salem-636016. Ph:(0091) 0427- 2446969
Sri Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School,(Ammapet, Shevapet, Kondalampatti, Anandashram, Ayodhiyapattinam)
AGN Matric Higher Secondary School, Konganapuram, Salem
AndersonMatric Higher Secondary School, Yercaud road, Salem- 636 007
Bala Bharathi Matric Higher Secondary School, Salem
St.Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Salem -636006
Glazebrook Matric Higher Secondary School, Salem- 636 004
Golden Gate Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Yercaud Foothills, Salem-ph- 2412848
Golden Spark Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Bangalore Main Road, Salem-636 012. ph- 2345112
Chinmaya Vidyalaya Matric School, Chinmaya Nagar, Sollampalllam, Steel Plant Road, Salem- 636 005
C.S.I Good Shepherd Matric Higher Secondary School, Fort, Salem-2211944
Holy Angels Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Alagapuram pudur post, Salem-ph-2446969
Holy Flower Matriculation Higher Secondary School, ph2448426
Holy Cross Matriculation Higher Secondary School, K.N Colony,Ammapet, Salem- 636014,ph-2240888, 2242526, Fax, 2240567, Primary School: 2240179
Hindu Don Bosco Matric Higher Secondary School, Karungalpalayam, Salem -636006
Jayarani Matric Higher Secondary School, Nethimedu, Salem- 636 002
Jothi Matric Higher Secondary School, Ammapet, Salem
Malco Vidyalayam Matric Higher Secondary School, Mettur dam, Salem-
PSG Matric Higher Secondary School, Sankagiri, Salem
Sri Jothi Vidyalaya Matric Higher Secondary School, Kandampatty, Salem- 636005
Sri Sarada BalaMandhir Boys Matriculation Higher Secondary School, 19, Rajaji Road, Salem-7,Ph 2412160
Sri Sarada Matric Higher Secondary School for Girls, Fairlands, Salem- 636016
St. Josephs Matric Higher Secondary School, Pension Line, Salem -636 006
Sri Vasavi Matric Higher Secondary School, Shevapet, Salem
Sri Vidya Mandhir Matric Higher Secondary School, Salem Steel plant, Mohan Nagar, Salem- 636 030
Tagore Matric Higher Secondary School
Sri Thiagarajar memorial matric school, Belur, Valappady (Tk), Salem(Dt)- 636 115
Vidhya Peetham Matriculation School, Mannar palayam, Salem

Private schools (CBSE)

Notre Dame of Holy Cross School ( CBSE ), Gundukallur, Udayapatti Area, Salem. Phone - 2240844
Sri Vidya Mandir Secondary School, Shivaji Nagar, Salem, 636003, Phone - 263617, 261949
Sri Vidya Mandir Secondary School, Annadasramam, Meyanur Road, Salem - 636004, Phone - 448105, 277105
Sri Vidya Mandir Secondary School and Junior College, Salem- 636002, Phone - 212125, 212135
Sri Vidya Mandir Secondary School, Attur Main Road, Ayodhiya Pattanam, Salem - 636103, Phone - 812333, 240288
Sri Vidya Mandir Secondary School, Kondalampatty, Salem - 636010, Phone - 270637

Residential Schools

Montfort School, Yercaud
Sacred Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Yercaud
Bright Sun Matriculation school, Yercaud

These schools have produced celebrities like cricketer Roger Binny, actor Vikram (actor), Hindi legend actress Rekha, Union Cabinet minister Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss and many IITans, etc.

Alumni associations

Government College of Engineering, Salem
Thiagarajar Polytechnic College, Salem - 5
Holy Cross Old Boys Association, Salem -14
AUETAA, Salem Chapter

Rotary Clubs

Rotary Club of Salem
Rotary Club of Salem Midtown
Rotary Club of Salem Central
Rotary Club of Salem North
Rotary Cub of Salem South
Rotary Club of Salem West
Rotary Club of Salem East
Rotary Club of Salem Gugai
Rotary Club of Salem Cosmos
Rotary Club of Salem Tex city
Rotary Club of Salem Centennial
Rotary club of Salem Sunstar
Rotary Club of Salem Metropolis

Politics

Salem consists of two assembly constituencies: 'Salem - I' and 'Salem - II', both of which are part of Salem (Lok Sabha constituency).¹²

Sister Cities

Salem has one sister city.

Salem, Oregon, USA

References

^ "Jungle Look". The Hindu. Retrieved on 2006-12-09.
^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Salem
^ Indian Census
^ "Salem Silver Works".
^ "Sago Point of the World".
^ "Dept.Geology and mining, TN".
^ "Tamilnadu Elcot Website". Elcot. Retrieved on 2008-09-26.
^ "Site for IT Park ideally situated". The Hindu. Retrieved on 2006-01-09.
^ "Site for IT Park ideally situated". Retrieved on 2008-09-26.
^ "Electrical and electronics industries". Government of Tamil Nadu.
^ Staff (14 October 2007) "Salem railway division formed" The Hindu
^ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2008-10-09.

External links

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