Salem: Temples, Transport Routes and Culture

Salem combines religious sites and important transport links with other cultural and natural attractions across the wider Salem destination. When looking for a hotel, first decide whether your plans focus mainly on the city of Salem or also include the wider destination. This lets you choose between urban temples and transport, and regional cultural and natural attractions.

Temples and Religious Sites in Salem

Two prominent temples dedicated to Sukavana Isvarar and Soundhararaja Perumal stand on the river’s right bank. Temples dedicated to Mari Amman and Kali Amman are located in many parts of Salem city. Alagirinathar Temple is in central Salem, near the fort, and is also known as “Kottai Perumal Koil.” The different locations can help you find your way around: the descriptions range from a specific riverbank to temples in many parts of the city and a centrally located temple near the fort.

Getting Around by Bus and Road

Salem’s two major bus stations are the MGR Integrated Bus Terminus (New Bus Stand), which serves intercity routes, and the Town Bus Stand (Old Bus Stand), which serves local routes. The two terminals therefore differ in the types of services they handle. Check the latest departure information before travelling. On the road, National Highways NH7, running north–south, NH47, heading west, and NH68, heading east, intersect in Salem. Road numbering may change, so check the details before your trip.

Culture in the Wider Salem Destination

The Government Museum in Salem displays hero stones depicting the brave deeds of warriors and rulers of Salem District. Its collection also includes sculptures from the Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagar periods. The hero stones relate to the district’s history, while the sculptures represent different historical periods.

Sangagiri Fort was built by the Vijayanagar Empire in the 15th century. The complex includes twelve fort walls, some of which were partly built by the British. The fort also contains a death well, a granary, two mosques, two Varadhraja Perumal temples, former British army administrative buildings and cemeteries for armies formerly stationed there. These buildings and structures give the fort a layered historical character.

Festivals also offer different seasonal reasons to visit. The festival at Kottai Mariamman Temple lasts a week, ends with a fire-walking event and is held annually between July and August. The festival at Shevarayan Temple takes place in May and is attended by thousands of members of the hill tribes. Shevarayan Temple is a cave temple where Lord Perumal blesses devotees. If you plan your trip around one of these festivals, check the specific event dates.

Natural Attractions and Other Regional Highlights

Near Muttal, the Forest Department has developed waterfalls as a tourist destination. Aanaivari Falls is in Muttal village in the Attur Forest Range and attracts visitors from the western districts. Its water flow is seasonal, which may be a factor when planning your visit. Check current conditions before going.

Kurumbapatti Zoological Park is a small zoological park in a natural setting. At Yercaud’s Silk Farm & Rose Garden, visitors can see mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing and silk spinning. The wider Salem destination therefore offers both nature-focused attractions and a firsthand look at silk production.

Salem Airport is a domestic airport in Kamalapuram, in Omalur Taluk, 19 kilometres from Salem city. Check flight schedules separately if you plan to fly into this airport.

Discover more destinations: Yercaud, Mallamooppampatti, Thumbal, Peramanur.

Go to the wider travel overview: Salem.