Yercaud - 'Poor man's Ooty'

Mettur is a picnic spot situated 60 k.m. from Salem. An industrial town on the west bank of the Kaveri. The river fish caught here are exported as far as Calcutta.

Places to see in Mettur Mettur Chemical And Industrial Corporation Mettur System Mettur Thermal Power Station Mettur Dam Dam Park Muniappan (Or) Aiyanar Temple Utthumalai Namakkal Aragalur Kodumanal Bhavani Kolli Hills Tiruchengodu Erode Kodumudi Kodiveri Dam (Near Gobichettipalayam) Hogenakkal Waterfalls

Mettur Chemical And Industrial Corporation

A heavy chemical industrial company. It was established by V Seshasayee in 1941 and is generally known by its abbreviated name METCHEM. It produces bleaching powder, carbon terachloride, caustic soda, chloroform, hydrochloric acid, liquid chlorine, methyl chloride, methleyne chloride, and silicon. The success and products of this company have attracted other companies to Mettur of which Chemplast Chemicals, Plastics India, Madras Aluminum(MALCO) and Micopharm Chemicals are notable. In 1988 Chemplast absorbed METCHEM and the operations of both have been integrated. The Mettur chemical has installed a captive generating set of 6.5 MW for overcoming power shortage. This will ensure manufacture of polyvinyl chloride resins, water treatment chemicals, caustic soda, chloromethanes, and refrigerant gases without interruption.

Mettur System

An irrigation and hydroelectric power production system built around the Mettur Dam and the Stanley Reservoir. The irrigation system supplies water and controls irrigation works ( Grand Anaikat and Vadavar canals of the Thanjavur District.

Mettur Thermal Power Station

A new electric power generation system to augment the existing Mettur Hydro Electric power production system. It is designed to meet the energy needs of the state in general and industrial and agricultural requirements of Mettur and Salem in particular.

Mettur Dam (52 km)

The Mettur Dam has been constructed in a gorge, where teh River Kaveri enters the plains. The dam is one of teh oldest in India. It provides irrigation facilities to Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur district for 2,71,000 acres of farm lands. There is a lovely park close to teh dam. Big industrial units, are also located here.

This multi purpose dam built on the River Cauvery is a nice picnic spot, situated as it is, amidst well maintained gardens. Water from the Stanley reservoir is used for irrigating a major portion of the plains of central Tamil Nadu. Mettur is a picnic spot situated 60 km from Salem. An industrial town on the west bank of the Kaveri. The river fish caught here are exported as far as Calcutta.

The major Dam ( 5,300' long, 176' high) of the state, across the Kaveri. It was built between the hills of Seetha Malai and Palamalai during the late 1929s. The water in its reservoir ( 5,46,000 cubic feet) is primarily intended for irrigation. A portion of its is let down for generating electricity.

Dam Park

A beautiful park opposite to Dam was formed with Lawns, fountains. This park attracts large number of tourists from nearby districts.

Muniappan ( or) Aiyanar Statue is situated near the Dam park near the river.

Utthumalai

Utthumalai is situated 6 km from Salem. Viewing Salem from this point is pleasant memory.

Namakkal (48 km)

The town lies at the foot of a small hillock which is about 200 feet high and about half mile in circumference. There is a fort on the hillock. There are two rockcut cave temples here, one dedicated to Narasimhaswamy and the other to Ranganathaswamy. There is also a big Hanuman statue of about 200' height here carved out of a single stone.

Aragalur (74 km)

Aragalur is about 4 kms South East of Talaivasal on the right back of Vasishtanadhi. The name of the village in Tamil means " Village of six trenches . The village was ruled by a prince named Ekambara Mudaliyar. It has two imposing temples, one is dedicated to Sri Kameswara and the other to Karivaradaperumal. There is a big Budhdha statue at Thiyanganur village on the outskirts of Aragalur Village.

Kodumanal (40 km)

It is a tiny village on the banks of the Noyil river. it is an archaelogical site dating back to the 2nd century BC. Hre lies the remains of a megalithic settlement.

Bhavani (50 km)

The Sangameswarar temple here is situated at the confluence of the rivers Bhavani and Kaveri. It is one of the most important pilgrims centres in South India.

Kolli Hills (100 km)

This is the second hill station in the district, part of the Eastern Ghats, at an altitude of 1190 mts. Sri Kapaleeswara Temple is located on the top of the hills called Chathuragiri is one of the oldest. The terrace type of 70hair pin bend ghat road, the fruits cultivated, honey, and the unchanged tribal culture are unique memories. The wonderful Agasakangai Waterfalls flowing from a height over 2000 feet is a unique scene.

Kolli hills is known for medicinal herbs and plants. Arappaleeswarar Temple, Government Herbal Farm, Aiyaru (river), Akasagangai Water falls, Botancial Garden, Telescope House are the important tourist attractions.

Every year in the month of Valvil Ori festival at kolli hills is organised by teh District Administration.

Tiruchengodu (45 km)

Tiruchengodu is one of the seven Sivasthalams in Kongunadu.This is another pilgrim centre which has an ancient temple dedicated to Ardhanareeswar a unique concept of Saivism where the deity is half male and half female. i.e. Siva and Sakthi worshipped as one.

Erode

Production centre of Turmeric and Handlooms. Jambai near Bhavani isa well known centre for the production of Jamakkalam (The thick bed spred).

Kodumudi Arumigu Magudeshwarar Temple of Kodumudi is a popular pilgrime Centre in this reigion.

Kodiveri Dam (Near Gobichettipalayam) Beautiful picnic spot. Best place for film shootings.

Hogenakkal Waterfalls

The picturesque holiday spot located on the course of Kaveri river is an unexploited tourist wonder. Hogenakal means 'Smoking Rock', a name derived from teh cloud of spray of the water falls, that envelops the chasm. A sacred bathing place, Hogenakal is famed for teh curative power of its waters. Surrounded by mountains. this place now offers a quiet holiday in comfort.