About salem
Salem is the 5th largest city in Tamilnadu with a population of over 8,00,000 (7,51,438 in 2001 census). Sorrounded by hills (Shervaroy range of eastern Ghats) on all sides and situated on the banks of ThiruManimuthar river (another sewerage ditch) it does present a pretty picture. It is about 200 kms from Bangalore and 330 Kms from Chennai. Fondly nicknamed ‘Steel City” after the moderate sized stainless steel plant, however, it is more famous as a Mango City. The Malkhova Maambazham of Salem is very well known to every kid who grew up on Tamil nursery rhyme. Interesting tidbit about Salem, the name, is quite famous in US but unrelated to the Indian city there are quite few towns in US by that name.
Salem is a city with not much of an history. It doesnt play any role in the famous kingdoms of Tamil past. It has come up in relatively recent times but is one of the faster growing cities of the state. Within Tamilnadu, Salem district is relatively better endowed with mineral deposits, magnesite, a little of bauxite and iron. Handloom and weaving are the main economic activity in the region. The SAIL Steel plant is another important industry here but the expectation and long time wish of the people of this region for it to be converted to an integrated steel plant has not materialised so far. It is the location of a few refractories due to magnesite availability and some sago production. The famous Salem Mangoes are actually more of Dharmapuri (nearby district) mangoes after the various bifurcation of districts. Nearby town of Mettur has quite a few factories (Chemplast, Malco, SISCOL, Thermal and Hydel Power plants etc) as a compensation. Narasu’s coffee company, a well known brand of filter cofee powder maker is based in Salem and so is the famous KPN Travels a well managed private bus service operator. The now defunct Modern theaters studio was also based in Salem. I understand a few small BPO companies have setup shop in Salem but it is too small at present to be of significance. An Elcot promoted IT park / SEZ is threatening to come up anytime soon.
Commercially, Salem is an important regional centre. It is also the district headquarters of Salem district and the largest urban center between Bangalore and Coimbatore. Its location at the crossroads of major highway networks, NH 7 (Bangalore and beyond - Kanyakumari), NH 68 to Chennai via Ulundurpettai and NH 47 to Trivandrum via Coimbatore has helped in making it a major trading and marketing centre. It is also in the main railway line linking Chennai and north India with Kerala and thus is well connected with most of the country. Salem has recently become a Divisional headquarters for Southern Railway overcoming major opposition from Kerala and this is expected to give a major fillip to railway projects in the region. Although there is an airstrip in Salem, unfortunately, its location very near to other major metros has left it lie unutilised so far.
The industrial and commercial activites in the region have made Salem more affluent than the bigger cities of Madurai and Trichy. It can be seen in the bright shopping complexes on the main NH road along the City bus station and the increasing traffic congestion in the city. The Salem bus stand was the largest (not the cleanest) in Tamilnadu until the CMBT came up in Chennai.
Until recently Salem was not amongst the major educational centres in TN. Although it had reputed schools, arts/science colleges and even an engineering college it’s lack of of a medical college and university was a major drawback. The opening of Mohan Kumaramangalam medical college and the private Vinayaka mission colleges as well as Periyar university has given a fillip to the educational facilities in the region but it still is rated way behind other centres of Tamilnadu in this regard.
Tourism in Salem is non-existent. The main link to tourism is through the hill station of Yercaud 35 kms away. Tiruchengode and Namakkal temples, Mettur Dam and Kolli Hills are other locally important tourist spots. There is very little tourism potential in Salem itself apart from promoting it as a transport and facilities hub for hill based tourist and adventure activities.
The biggest advantage and drawback for Salem in growing further is its nearness to Bangalore and to a lesser extent Coimbatore. Much of the people of this region have hitched their economic future with these two cities and the possibilites of Salem becoming anything more than a big regional urban centre within Tamilnadu looks remote.
Read More
Salem is a city with not much of an history. It doesnt play any role in the famous kingdoms of Tamil past. It has come up in relatively recent times but is one of the faster growing cities of the state. Within Tamilnadu, Salem district is relatively better endowed with mineral deposits, magnesite, a little of bauxite and iron. Handloom and weaving are the main economic activity in the region. The SAIL Steel plant is another important industry here but the expectation and long time wish of the people of this region for it to be converted to an integrated steel plant has not materialised so far. It is the location of a few refractories due to magnesite availability and some sago production. The famous Salem Mangoes are actually more of Dharmapuri (nearby district) mangoes after the various bifurcation of districts. Nearby town of Mettur has quite a few factories (Chemplast, Malco, SISCOL, Thermal and Hydel Power plants etc) as a compensation. Narasu’s coffee company, a well known brand of filter cofee powder maker is based in Salem and so is the famous KPN Travels a well managed private bus service operator. The now defunct Modern theaters studio was also based in Salem. I understand a few small BPO companies have setup shop in Salem but it is too small at present to be of significance. An Elcot promoted IT park / SEZ is threatening to come up anytime soon. Commercially, Salem is an important regional centre. It is also the district headquarters of Salem district and the largest urban center between Bangalore and Coimbatore. Its location at the crossroads of major highway networks, NH 7 (Bangalore and beyond - Kanyakumari), NH 68 to Chennai via Ulundurpettai and NH 47 to Trivandrum via Coimbatore has helped in making it a major trading and marketing centre. It is also in the main railway line linking Chennai and north India with Kerala and thus is well connected with most of the country. Salem has recently become a Divisional headquarters for Southern Railway overcoming major opposition from Kerala and this is expected to give a major fillip to railway projects in the region. Although there is an airstrip in Salem, unfortunately, its location very near to other major metros has left it lie unutilised so far.
The industrial and commercial activites in the region have made Salem more affluent than the bigger cities of Madurai and Trichy. It can be seen in the bright shopping complexes on the main NH road along the City bus station and the increasing traffic congestion in the city. The Salem bus stand was the largest (not the cleanest) in Tamilnadu until the CMBT came up in Chennai.
Until recently Salem was not amongst the major educational centres in TN. Although it had reputed schools, arts/science colleges and even an engineering college it’s lack of of a medical college and university was a major drawback. The opening of Mohan Kumaramangalam medical college and the private Vinayaka mission colleges as well as Periyar university has given a fillip to the educational facilities in the region but it still is rated way behind other centres of Tamilnadu in this regard.
Tourism in Salem is non-existent. The main link to tourism is through the hill station of Yercaud 35 kms away. Tiruchengode and Namakkal temples, Mettur Dam and Kolli Hills are other locally important tourist spots. There is very little tourism potential in Salem itself apart from promoting it as a transport and facilities hub for hill based tourist and adventure activities.
The biggest advantage and drawback for Salem in growing further is its nearness to Bangalore and to a lesser extent Coimbatore. Much of the people of this region have hitched their economic future with these two cities and the possibilites of Salem becoming anything more than a big regional urban centre within Tamilnadu looks remote.
Monday, November 23
Yercaud
Yercad is in the Salem District. It is a hill station. It is a quite lovely and pleasing hill station which is situated at an altitude of 1,515 metres on the “Servaroyan Hills” of Salem District of Tamil Nadu, South India. One and a half hour journey uphill from Salem on the plains takes you to Yercaud. Yercaud derives its name from the famous lake Erikadu which is fed by a mountain Stream. It is also called as “Yelayin Ooti” in Tamil language which literally means the Ooty meant for Poor. This is very similar to Ooty Hill Station with an area of 383 sq. kms and a population of around 30,800. It has a pleasant climate. One can visit Yercaud throughout the year as it is a tourist attraction for the whole of the year and has no particular season.In the early 19th century the British took keen interest in the Shevaroy Hills. Officials and nature lovers began to visit the hills. In course of time Europeans came down from England to settle here and take up coffee plantations, Cardamom, pears, jack and orange fruits are also grown in the hills. Honey specially obtained from coffee bloom is popular with the tourists. Flowers of all varieties grow well here.
Many places in and around Yercaud attract tourists all the year round. Yercaud Lake is a beautiful spot. Boating in the cold water of the lake for an hour gives one the most relaxing experience.
Anna Park named after Anna who was the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is a fine and enjoyable garden.
Lady’s Seat, which is a natural seat in rock that overlooks the winding ghat road, provides a wonderful view of Salem town. One can have the best view of plains below through the telescope fitted at the extreme top most point of the Lady’s Seat.
Pagoda Point is another spot in Yercaud from where one can have an amazing view of the Shevaroy Hills.
The Killiyur falls with a drop of about 75 feet is situated in the midst of colourful surroundings. The Grange is a castle like building built by Mr. M. D. Cockburn, a former Collector of Salem during the British rule. Bear’s Cave on the way to Servaroyan temple is another prominent spot.
Servaroyan Temple on the topmost point of Shevaroy Hills is a temple for the tribals. The tribals in the hills celebrate their annual festival for the deity here in May every year.
In early days Christian missionaries came to Yercaud to build churches and schools. Montfort School and Sacred Heart Convent are well know educational institutions here.
Other places of interest are Rose Garden with the most beautiful species of rose and other plants, Silk Farm, Horticulture Research Station, Green Hourse with ornamental plants and Cauvery Peak from where one can have a breathtaking view of Cauvery river flowing through the plains below.
Every Sunday is a big market held near the Yercaud Lake in the Sacred Shola or Grove. This is popularly called as “Sanday” which means market where vegetables and other goods are sold in wholesale prices
Share this post!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)