SALEM - SUKAVANESWARAR TIRUKKOVIL

This district head quarters town etched its glory on the pages of history for reasons more than one. The industrial wealth embedded in the surrounding hills; spiritual glory abiding in the good old famous shrines, in and around the town, and textile progress it made, are some of the creditable plus points that heightened its glory to the jealousy of other neighbouring districts. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word - Sailam, signifying its location amidst hills. It was originally called Sugavanapuram due to dwelling of Suga Muniyar of great fame. This sage adored the powerful linga called Sugavaneeswarar with great piety here that he was relieved of the curse cast by Brahma.

Many miracles were produced here by the illustrious worshippers including Avvaiyar. At the request of the Chola, Chera and Pandyan kings, it is said Avvaiyar, changed a log of wood into a palmyrah tree. And it bore fruits too. She solmenised the wedding of her adopted daughter here. There is a sculptural representation on the western prakara of the temple depicting Avvaiyar being carried to Kailas by Vinayaka.

Amazing it is to note that there are six famous places in United Kingdom and one in United States bearing the same name of Salem, a shortened form of the holy Jerusalem, the centre of pilgrimage for Christians. This great town boasts of many temples dedicated to several gods, but the Sukavaneswarar's stands supreme for its antiquity and the great pull it is exerting on the theists. The deity enjoys the honour of blessing the devout bhaktas out of proportion of their devotion, and is popular as visible God - Pratyaksha Daivam. It is in the midst of the town, and by its beautiful sculpture and several spiritual activities, it is drawing huge crowds throughout the year.

It is  the district head quarters town commanding all types of transport facilities.

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