Salem trip planner

Salem is a city in Salem district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located about 160km northeast of Coimbatore, 186km southeast of Bangalore and about 340km southwest of the state capital, Chennai. Salem is the fifth largest city in Tamil Nadu by population and covers 91.34km2.HistoryThe town and the surrounding hilly regions were part of the Chera dynasty and was part of the trade route with the Roman empire. It was later governed by Poligars, who built temples and forts in and around the city. It was part of the Vijayanagara empire before being captured by Hyder Ali during the early 18th century, after the Mysore-Madurai war. It was ceded to the British in 1768 and the area became part of the struggle between Kongu Nadu led by Dheeran Chinnamalai and the British. Salem became part of Salem district since independence in 1947.Geography and climateSalem is located at, at an average elevation of 278 m . The city is surrounded by hills: Nagaramalai on the north, Jarugumalai on the south, Kanjamalai on the west, Godumalai on the east and the Shevaroy Hills on the northeast. Kariyaperumal Hill is in southwestern Salem. The Thirumanimutharu River flows through the city, dividing it in two. The fort area is the oldest part of Salem.