Top Things to do in Salem
10 Things to Do in Salem That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Salem, India including Yercaud, 1008 Lingam Temple, Mettur Dam, Kottai Mariamman Temple, Siddhar Temple, Skandasramam Temple, Linga Bhairavi Temple, ISKCON Salem, Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Sankakiri Fort.
Restaurants in Salem
1. Yercaud
Overall Ratings
4 based on 426 reviews
Reviewed By kmukhe562 - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
I am here to make you visualize my journey of Yercaud.
I took the cheapest options available and made out with the minimum budget. My journey started on 27th December when I took the Kovai super-fast train from Katpadi junction to the Salem junction. It took Rs.105 for each person in sleeper class.
The train schedule starting time was 8.05am but it came in at 8.20 am because of fog. The journey was back breaking but we reached Salem junction at 11.35 am which was 42 min later than the scheduled time. Then after asking around we found out that there was no direct bus from the Salem junction to Yercaud main town so we took a bus from the Salem junction to Salem new bus stand. From there we got a bus to Yercaud which stated at 1.15pm sharp. There were many other buses from Salem new bus stand to other places like Bangalore. Puducherry, Vellore, Hogennakkal.
The journey was very scenic. You must remember to sit on your left when you enter the bus, preferably near a window seat if you want to experience the panoramic views. We went through the 32km loop road and there were 20 hair pin bends. There are pics below. We reached the kc hotel around 1.25pm and waited till 1.50 for them to ready the rooms. Then we went out around 2pm for the sightseeing. If you go, see that you take the front view rooms in the first floor.
Since the Shevaroyan temple was 7 km from the circle (junction of 4 way street), we decided to do it first, there is an auto stand in the circle. We negotiated from 350 to 300 and told the driver that we will go to the three other places which fall on the way to the Shevaroyan temple, namely, the horticulture garden, the botanical garden, and the Shri Raja Rajeshwari temple. We went to the botanical garden first. They take Rs. 10 for each person and Rs. 20, extra if you carry a camera. There was nothing much to see really. As we went in winter, no flowers were in bloom too. This place will hold interest only to those people who are interested in different varieties of plants, otherwise it’s not a necessary sight-seeing place. Then we reached the Shevaroyan temple. We had to open our shoes to get inside the temple. It is actually a low cave like structure. We paid our respects and got out. There were a few food stalls outside the temple. We had eaten lunch in the morning and had taken with us 6 pairs of bread with peanut butter and chocolate syrup, 3 for dad and 3 for me which we had golfed out in the train journey. Now I bought 2 boiled corn sticks, one for dad and one for me, each for Rs. 20. There is a viewpoint near the Shevaroyan temple. It is unnecessary to visit it as there as much better viewpoints, which I will talk about later.
Then we were passing by the Shri Raja Rajeshwari temple I thought of stopping and visiting it but one temple was enough for me. We then went by the horticulture garden but did not get in as there were no flowers, so not much purpose was there by going inside.
Yercaud is really famous of r its medicinal oils and coffee. We went to a perfumery which was on the way back, they made their on oils. We did not buy anything as the hair loss oil which we needed was out of stock. For your information, they also parcel products if you give them your address.
We left the auto in the circle. The auto driver requested Rs.10 for tea and I gave it to him.
Now it was 4 pm. I decide that time was still there to visit the Killiyur falls, which was 3.5km from the circle. I told my dad that we can walk. Though my dad advised against it, as he really has a god sense of distance, but I was determined. So we walked past the Eggterian coffee shop and took the right bend. Then we went on walking uphill by looking at the GPS in dad’s cell. Then we came to a junction. The GPS was showing uphill and we went that way, after walking for a good 10 min(you may think it’s not much, but let me tell you that a tem min walk uphill was pure hell). Then we asked a person, the way to Killiyur falls, and he indicated the downhill road. We sighed and went back, and by now it was 4.40pm. We went down and finally located the entrance to Killiyur falls. By then both of us were really exhausted and then a family who was coming up, told us that we have to climb down 240 steps to reach the waterfall. Let me tell you the honest truth, I totally felt like sitting down and bawling. But we went down around 60 steps then my dad refused to go down anymore and we came back up.
Both of us were out of our breaths and we started uphill again. We walked at snail pace. Then after 15 min of strenuous walking, a car stopped by and a family offered to give us a lift. They didn’t understand the level of our gratefulness but I think that you do.
They dropped us near the circle. There I learned that the boy, who was a part of the family, was an alumni of the college in which I was currently studying, we talked a bit and thanked them again and went to sit by the lake. Now it was 5.30pm. We could have gone to our hotel but I knew that if we went and sat down in our beds than we will not have the energy to come out to eat food again. So my dad opened his GPS and we located the Shevroy’s hotel. The food is very good there, I went and asked about the dinner timings and was informed that it was 7pm-7.30 pm. My dad suggested that we go and check out the bus stand from which we would catch the bus the next day. We walked for 20 min uphill from the right side of the Shevroy’s hotel and reached the bus stand. There is also many restaurants and snacks shops there. We bought a few snacks and dallied a bit and started back. When we reached Shevroy’s again it was around 6.45pm. We decided to go and sit inside the silver oak restaurant. There are two restaurants inside the Shevroy’s. The silver oak, which is a multi-cuisine restaurant and the red dragon, which is a purely Chinese restaurant. We decided on the silver oak as the red dragon opens a bit late. We ordered 3 plain kulchas, one hot and sour soup and half chicken tandoori. It was for two people, me and my dad. The fare was 550 and we gave 570, tips was 20.
We went out after finishing dinner around 7.30pm and came back to our hotel kc. Day 1 was over for us.
The next day we got up at 7.30am. It was COLD. I could literally hear my teeth clattering. We had planned to go to the Lady’s Seat, so we got out around 8am. It took 30 min by walking and is 2.7 km from the circle. There is a lady’s seat, gent’s seat and Children’s seat. Personally I like the gent’s seat as there were no monkeys to shake the steel gates, as it was on lady’s seat. I was so afraid for my camera that I hurriedly took 3 pictures and we fled from there. There were a lot of perfumery and oil shops on the way to the Lady’s seat. But it opens around 9.30am-10am, not before that.
Then we had breakfast at Shevroy’s. It was buffet style and cost Rs.250 for each person. It was almost 10am by the time we started our breakfast and I told my dad to make it a brunch. So we ate and lot and believe it or not I did not feel the slightest bit hungry till 4.30pm that day.
We came back to our rooms, took a shower, packed our luggage and got out by 12pm (that is the checkout time in hotel kc). We walked the way to the bus stand and took the 12.35 bus. In the return journey by the 32km loop road, I could actually appreciate the view and take LOADS of pictures. WE reached the Salem station by 2 pm and our train was at 5.15 pm. So I half slept and half lazed my time in the waiting room. But that is not related to Yercaud and is sort of another interesting tale which I wall share with me in my next blog. NEXT WEEK.
ADIOS!!
2. 1008 Lingam Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By subbu5112 - Salem, India
I am Visiting with my wife in this place last week,sourrounding is fully Greeneries, Temples is very nice and neat,small hill top,Travel roads also good, Land mark is Salem to Kovai National High Way ," Ariyanoor" very near High Way.Anybodies easily idified this place.Travel by Walk or Own Car allowed Bottom to Top hill in each temple.Here Lord Svia,Lord Perumal,Lord Rama,Lord Iyappa,Lord Anchanaiyar,Mother God Rajarajeswari Amman,Annapoorani Ammal,Lord SivaSubramaniyar,1008Lord Siva Lingam,Lord Vinayakkam,Lords Aarupadai Murgan in this hill.
3. Mettur Dam
Overall Ratings
4 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By Manoj P
A good outig for a day but usually its so hot their . Their is entrance fee to park. Eat some fish ❤️❤️its fantasatic
4. Kottai Mariamman Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Sureshmoe - Vadodara, India
Presently Renovation is going on. Every year festival for a week in the Tamil month Aadi (During August) will be celebrated grandly. Celebrations during this festival is full of happiness and enjoyable. Very powerful goddess. Temple is busy always with people for worship.
Must visit and must see the celebrations during Aadi festival.
5. Siddhar Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Sudharsan R - Chennai
While locals do visit this place, for tourists it is out of the way. We visited both the Siddhar temple and the nearby Murugan temple early in the morning before heading out for a long drive.
Very calm place other than the occasional monkey or goat that wants to keep you company. The attitude of the staff could have been better - it is a sign of times that even temples are affected by lackadaisical attitude!
Both the Siddhar and Murugan temple are referred in the "SKANDA GURU KAVASAM" - "kanja malai chithar pothrum skandagiri guru naathaa" (line 300).
Highly recommend if you can make the de-tour.
6. Skandasramam Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By hemkumar g - New Delhi, India
A very good Hindu religious place to visit. situated on a small hillock. The premises is spiritually uplifting with the calm ambience. The statues are majestic and loving. Should take to a maximum of an hour. Can visit his place if you are crossing salem or if you are going to Yercaud.
7. Linga Bhairavi Temple
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
As dark as the darkest night, a pair of glowing eyes that penetrate deep into the recess of your heart, a gloriously sparkling Third Eye that perceives a dimension beyond the physical, graciously giving arms that bestow infinite Grace to all in need, a pure gold sari that reflects her grandeur – Linga Bhairavi is the most exuberant expression of the Divine Feminine residing at Salem.
Reviewed By Karthiksynerg
Dont miss to visit this temple if you are crossing Salem or In and around Salem. The temple is situated right on the Bangalore - Salem Highway. One must visit the temple to experience the architectural brilliance and an energy, which can drip you into nameless ecsaties!
8. ISKCON Salem, Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By rajeshwar g
Beautiful temple, they are building a bigger complex to be opened soon
The usual vittala, rukmini and balaram are divine
Sunday morning special bhajans are drawing lot of crowds
There are restrooms and wash area but no cafeteria
Though slightly in the outskirts its worth a visit
Do visit isha bhairavi temple on opposite side of road
9. Kailasanathar Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By VinodPonoth - Kochi (Cochin), India
Had specifically visited the temple on 21 and 22nd of February to witness the unique visual of the Shiva Linga glowing the golden beams of the setting sun. This phenomena happens every year on 3 days of february, 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Apart from this the architectural beauty of the temple is eye catching.
10. Sankakiri Fort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Krupali J
Best place to visit when person loves historic place, especially Archaeological place. This palace is little far from city, but one can definitely plan for it. Must visit place.
