Main Places

MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

A mother goddess. The Tamil word mari means death but when the letter a in it is accented, the word changes to mean rain. She is the most ancient and popular deity among the village deities of Salem and is worshipped under several other names such as Amman, Atthu, Ayam Ayee (Mother) Dharmapuri (Mari with army) Magamayee ( Great Mother) and Vadivattha ( Beautiful Mother) all indicating an ancient form of ancestral mother worship Iconographically, Mari represented in a sitting posture with four bands. They hold a drum, a trident a bundle if ropes and a skull.

Mari Amman rules over discuses that bring death, especially small pox. At times of small-pox incidence, the leaves of the neem tree (netta azadirachia) sacred to the goddess, are spread on the bed of the afflicted person and a bunch of them tied in the entrance of the patients house indicating the presence of the goddess. In the benevolent aspect, the goddess brings rainy to put an end to the diseases which result from the heat.

She is believed to cure a variety of illness of those who offer silver sheet metal models of their affected organs. This type of prayer is commonly found in almost all Mari Amman temples in Salem.

IRON AND STEEL

Iron ore is abundant in Salem. Salem has been the chief centre of supply of the finest steel throughout historical times and iron was a historical mark of Salem's contact with the western world in ancient times. J.M.Health the prized that the tools used by the Egyptian sculptors may have been made of Salem Steel.

IRON ORE

Magnetic oxide of iron deposits occur in the mountains of Godumalai, Kalrayan, Kanjamalai, Kolli Malai, and Thalaimalai. The total reserves of Kanjamalai and Kolli Malai are estimated at between 235 and 245 million tons. Salem is the promotion centre of mangoes.Silver ornamental jewllery are the famous business in this region. Wood carving and designing windows and doors are the attractive business in this region.

JAMA MASJID

The oldest mosque in Salem, situated on the southern bank of the Thirumanimuthu Aru in the heart of the city. It was reportedly built by the Mysore ruler, Thippu Sulthan, who is said to have offered prayers here. The Masjid Inam granted to this mosque was confirmed by the British in 1862. By a special resolution in 1880.