Salem is of the most underrated places in the state of Tamil Nadu. Located 160 km from Coimbatore, the small city is often overlooked by most of the people. People do drive through this place to other famous holiday gateways and they don’t even think of stopping over to this beautiful and quaint town of serenity. However, many still visit this place for its religious factor, but it doesn’t nullify the fact that its beauty too lies in the lush greenery, waterfalls, and rich history. Home to many mosques, temples, and churches, Salem has many things that people seek to have a perfect holiday. So, check out this list of the top places to visit in Salem.
14 Best Places To Visit In Salem
Though Salem is relatively smaller than many other tourist gateways in Tamil Nadu, it has a lot of places that you can visit. Here is the list of all the places you should know and must visit during your trip to Salem in Tamil Nadu. Read on and include them all in your itinerary.
- Kalangi Siddhar Temple – Pay Your Respects
- Mookaneri Lake – Go Boating
- Government Museum – Dive Into Salem’s History
- Oothumalai Hill – Trek To The Top
- 1008 Lingam Temple – See One Of Tamil Nadu’s Oldest Shrines
- Kalipatti Kandaswamy Temple – Marvel At The Architecture
- Kurumbapatti Zoological Park – Meet Exotic Fauna
- Sankagiri Fort – See Age-Old Artifacts & Tools
- Jama Masjid – Seek Blessings
- Kiliyur Falls – Have A Picnic
- Sugavaneswarar Temple – Offer Prayers
- Kottai Mariamman Temple – Unveil Its Mysteries
- Paravasa Ulagam – Get Ready For Fun
- Arulmigi Alagirinathar Temple – Say Your Prayers
1. Kalangi Siddhar Temple – Pay Your Respects
If you know anything about Tamil Nadu or the religious things related to the state, then you must be aware of the fact that there are 18 Tamil Siddha temples. The best part about these temples is that all of them are located in Salem. Kalangi Siddhartha Temple is one of them. This temple is not just holy but is very beautiful too.
There are small streams and water bodies around the temple. These add to the beauty and charm of the temple. It is said that the water of these streams has curative powers and if you take a dip into it, then it could curate various problems of yours. There are regular pujas offered here and you can visit the place any time you want to become a part of it.
Location: Kanja Malai | Chennai, Salem, India
Entry fee: None
Timing: You can visit the temple on any new moon or full moon day for special pujas. Apart from that, the temple remains open from 6 am to 8 pm. However, the doors are closed from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
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2. Mookaneri Lake – Go Boating
This is one of the most beautiful lakes that one can find in Tamil Nadu. The city to Salem is blessed for being the home to such a beautiful water body. This lake is spread in an area of 58 acres. It was earlier spread in 39 hectares, but a lot of money was spent on it in the year 2012 for the reconstruction.
This picaresque location is the home of a variety of birds and flora. You can just get the best of nature after coming to this place. The lake is situated near a residential area. So, one could see a lot of families coming here in the evening and in the morning time. You can also call it a picnic spot. There is a fine arrangement of parking and seating over there. So, if you are visiting it, you won’t face any such problems.
Location: Kannankurichi Main Road, Kannankurichi
Entry fee: None
Timings: 24 hours
3. Government Museum – Dive Into Salem’s History
The very first thing that we want to mention about this museum is that if you are visiting this place, then you will get to see a lot of things. This museum contains a lot of historical things related to the place. You can often see a lot of school children coming here on trips. If you are a history and anthropology enthusiast, then this place is a must-visit for you.
Location: No. 2, Balaji Nagar Layout, Sarada College Rd, Fairlands
Entry fee: INR 5 for the museum, INR 2 for Indian students, INR 25 for foreign students, and INR 50 for foreign tourists.
Timings: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (remains closed on Mondays and second Saturdays)
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4. Oothumalai Hill – Trek To The Top
Oothumalai Hill is known for being the home of a lot of temples. Apart from that, the place is known for the calm and peacefulness that it gives to you. It is because of the location of these many temples together at just one place that the Devotees and worshipers get attracted to this place. The very popular Shri Balasubramaniam Temple is located here only where lord Murugan is worshipped.
Apart from that, a Shiva temple is also there on the hill and it is also very popular. Along with the Shiva idol, there is an engraving of other Gods on the rocks. Make sure that you explore this hill as it is one of the top places to visit in Salem. This is indeed one of the best places to visit in Salem in October.
Location: Seelanaickenpatti Bypass Road
Entry fee: None
Timings: 24 hours
5. 1008 Lingam Temple – See One Of Tamil Nadu’s Oldest Shrines
1008 Lingam Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is among the best tourist places in South India. There are 1008 Lingas together in the temple. 1007 Lingas are placed around one huge Linga. This huge Linga is of Nandi, the cow. When you walk into the temple, you will feel as if you have entered heaven. There is this huge idol of Lord Ganesha on the entrance. As soon as you enter the main temple, you can see the huge idol of the main deity, who is Sri Umayambigai Sametha Sri Arunachala Sundareswara.
You will be left awestruck after looking at the beauty of the idol and won’t be able to move for a while. It’s not just the temple that is beautiful from inside only, but the surrounding of this temple too is very beautiful. It has Sankagiri Mountains at the back of it and it makes the entire surrounding more beautiful. For travellers wanting to explore unique places to visit in Salem, this is the place to be!
Location: Srinagar – Kanyakumari Highway, Ariyanur, Salem, Tamil
Entry fee: None
Timings: 7:30 am – 12:30 pm with break timings running between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm
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6. Kalipatti Kandaswamy Temple – Marvel At The Architecture
Kalipatti Kandaswamy Temple is one of the richest and oldest temples in this area. It was built in the 18th century. You can find a special kind of antidote here that is made of snake’s poison. The antidote is known as Karun Sambal and is used to cure the devotees who come here. There are two chariots in the temple, namely Chitra Ther and Vinayaka Ther. There is this world-famous cattle fair organized in this temple in January. At that time, both these Chariots are moved all around the temple. The festival in which the cattle fair is held is known as Thaipusam Festival.
Location: Tiruchengode – Salem Main Rd, Kalipatti, Tamil Nadu 637503
Entry fee: None
Timings: 6:00 am to 7:30 pm
7. Kurumbapatti Zoological Park – Meet Exotic Fauna
If you are a true wildlife lover, then you are going to enjoy the sight of this place. This zoological park has a variety of animal species, but is more popular for the bird species that it has. The main attractions in the category of birds are the white peacock and colorful cranes. The entire property is spread in an area of 11.5 hectares. The authorities keep on adding various species to the park. There are different enclosures for different species and animal categories.
It has a separate playground for children and that makes it an ideal place for hanging out with your family. When you enter this place, you will feel a freshness and forest vibe inside. The best thing about this place is that the authorities have tried to entertain you without disturbing the animals too much.
Location: Kunumbalpatti R.F, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636008
Entry fee: INR 10 for adults and INR 5 per child
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
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8. Sankagiri Fort – See Age-Old Artifacts & Tools
The Sankagiri Fort is one of the best historical places to see in Salem and is located just a few miles away from the main city. This ancient fort is situated on the Sankari Hills at an elevation of about 40 ft above sea level. Constituting 10 compound walls, 5 temple complexes, 2 mosques, and 6 platforms, this fort is among the most popular Salem tourist places for you to explore.
You will find a number of ancient items at this fort including weapons, pistols, jewels, and other artifacts belonging to the erstwhile rulers of this region – Tipu Sultan and Theeran Chinnamalai. If you are looking for more places to visit near Salem, you can also visit the St. Antony’s Church located on the way to the Sankagiri Fort.
Location: VN Palayam, Sankari, Salem, Tamil Nadu 637301
Entry fee: INR 25
Timings: 8:00 AM -6:00 PM
9. Jama Masjid – Seek Blessings
The Jama Masjid is one of the most unmissable places to see in Salem and an extremely important religious attraction in the city. It was built over 300 years ago and is among the oldest mosques in India. Tucked on the banks of river Thirumanimuthu, this beautiful mosque has hides mysterious tales of its past in every corner of its sanctuary that you will be thrilled to unveil on your visit. Built on the wishes of Tipu Sultan, this mosque is home to one of the 108 Shiva Lingas of Salem city.
Location: V Market Rd, I Agraharam, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636001
Entry fee: Nil
Timings: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
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10. Kiliyur Falls – Have A Picnic
The beautiful Kiliyur Falls happen to be one of the most fascinating tourist places in Salem and is situated only 3 km away from the main city. Cascading from a height of 300 ft into a large pool below, this waterfall is among the most pleasant and soothing attractions in the city. The waterfall is tucked in the Servaroyan hill range of Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, which is why it is enveloped by lush foliage and the most tranquil surroundings. It is famous for activities like boating and swimming, two of the best things to do in Salem.
Location: Killiyur Road, Pattipadi, Tamil Nadu 636601
Entry fee: Nil
Timings: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
11. Sugavaneswarar Temple – Offer Prayers
The Sugavaneswarar Temple is a famous Murugan Temple and one of the richest holy Salem destinations. Built by Mamannan Sundara Pondiyan in the 13th century AD, this temple is famous for its stunning architecture and design which lure pilgrims and wanderers from far and wide. It is believed that Sage Sugha Brahmarishi had once worshipped and performed penance at this very sanctum.
Location: Salem, Chennai district, Tamil Nadu
Entry fee: Nil
Timings: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
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12. Kottai Mariamman Temple – Unveil Its Mysteries
The Kottai Mariamman Temple is another revered shrine and one of the oldest holy tourist places in Salem. Located in the heart of the city on the banks of River Thirumanimuthar, this ancient temple is an important pilgrimage site for the people of Tamil Nadu. Goddess Kottai Mariamman is the presiding deity of this temple. Other than that, its most popular feature is its week-long Shevapet Mariamman Temple Car Festival held once every year at the temple premises between July and August.
Location: Salem, Near Thirumanimuthar River, Tamil Nadu
Entry fee: Nil
Timings: 6:00 am to 11:00 am and 4:00 am to 9:00 pm
13. Paravasa Ulagam – Get Ready For Fun
This is an adventurous theme park which is located close to the National Highway No. 7, which is situated at a distance of approximately 16 km from Salem. Resting amidst the cold and hilly region, this is one of the exciting tourist places in Salem. The place is known for offering activities like water games, video games, go-karting, science park and waterfalls. Spread across an area of 15 acres, this place was opened to the public around 2004.
Location: Salem to Namakkal Highway, NH-7, KK Valasu, Mallur, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636203
Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 750 for adults and INR 600 for children
14. Arulmigi Alagirinathar Temple – Say Your Prayers
Image Credit: Temple.Dinamalar
The Arulmighu Alagirinatha temple is located in Kottai district of Salem. This is one of the ancient temples in the town which is believed to have 5 Praharams which also includes the collector’s office in the present day. Earlier this temple was called the Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple which also reflects the image of the mandapam bearing Krishna’s image. Surrounded by compound walls on all four sides, this temple is built on the banks of the Manimutharu river. Spread across an area of one acre land, this temple holds much importance.
Location: Kottai, Salem
Timings: 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Entry fee: None
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These are all important and the best places to visit in Salem. All the places that have been mentioned are significant in a very different and unique way. One should not skip any one of them while on the trip. Many of these attractions include temples because it is one of the pilgrimage sites for Hindus. But you would still enjoy your trip if you have an interest in the history, architecture, and culture. So without giving it a second thought, plan your vacation in Tamil Nadu and explore these places with your family or friends.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Salem
Which is the best time to visit Salem?
The perfect time to plan a trip to Salem is from October to February. At this time of the year, the temperature remains very pleasant. The temperature ranges between 13-degree Celsius to 25-degree celsius. If you visit Salem during this time of the year, then you can enjoy the festivals of Deepavali and Pongal here.
What is the recommended duration of stay in Salem?
It will not take a lot of days to see all that Salem has to offer. A duration of two to three days is appropriate to cover Salem and all its tourist spots.
What are some must-visit places in Salem?
There are a lot of places to visit in Salem. There are some that you definitely shouldn’t miss. Some of the must-visit places in Salem are Yeracud, 1008 Lingam temple, Skandasramam temple, Siddhar temple, Mettur dam, etc.
Is Salem good for a solo trip or a family trip?
Salem is a nice weekend to get out of the place. You can plan a good family trip here. Although a solo trip can also be planned a family trip would be recommended as this place has something to offer for people of every age.
Are there any religious places in Salem?
Yes, there are multiple religious places in Salem of various faiths. There are many famous temples here to visit such as 1008 Lingam temple, Skandasramam temple, Siddhar Temple, etc. Also, on the bank of river Thirumanimuthu, there is the famous Jama Masjid.
What is Salem famous for?
Salem is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu. Salem is popular as the steel city. It is famous for its steel. The steel products which are manufactured by the Salem steel plant are used by people from all over India.
Is Salem a safe city to visit?
Yes, it is safe for people to travel. You can comfortably bring your family along with you on the trip.
What are some good places in Salem to visit with kids?
There are many good places to visit in Salem. Some of these can be a good destination to go with children. With children, one can visit the Sankakiri fort, Kurumpapatti Zoological Park Zoo, etc.
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