Home :: South India Travel Destinations :: Coimbatore India

» Location: In Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu
» Known As: The Textile Capital Of South India Or The Manchester Of The South
» One Of The: Most Industrialised City In The State
» Serves As: The Entry And Exit Point To Neighbouring Kerala And Ooty

One of the most important cities of Tamilnadu, Coimbatore is called the 'Manchester of South India' and is the third largest city in the state. The headquarters of the Nilgiri region, its exposure to the Palghat Gap of the Western Ghats Coimbatore a Salubrious climate. A highly industrialised city, it is the centre of textile manufacturing in the state - there are over a hundred mills in and around Coimbatore. Primarily a business centre, it is known for the manufacturing of motor pump sets and various engineering and electronic goods.  

The Textile Industry Of Coimbatore
Coimbatore is an important industrial city, which is located in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Being an important textile-manufacturing centre in India, it is also known as the 'Manchester of South India'. There are more than a hundred textile mills in and around Coimbatore apart from a number of other manufacturing units, which produce engineering equipment and electronic items.

Coimbatore lies at the foot of the quaint Nilgiri Hills. Its vicinity to the Nilgiri hills gives Coimbatore a pleasant climate that is much cooler than the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu. Travellers visiting the Nilgiri hills from the south use Coimbatore as their base.

Coimbatore is a part of the Coimbatore circuit covering places like Coimbatore, Mettupalayam and Ooty. While at Coimbatore you can visit the Botanical Garden, the Agricultural College Museum and the VOC (V.O Chidambram) Park. You can also purchase textiles and readymade garments in Coimbatore, as it is an important textile-manufacturing centre in India.

Prime Attractions of Coimbatore
Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary: Just 60 km away from Coimbatore, also known as the Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary. It is the biggest sanctuary in Tamil Nadu sprawls over an area of about 958 sq. km. The animals found here are gaur, elephant, tiger, sloth bear, wild bear dog, nilgiri, langur etc. There is a bird watch tower at Kariam Shola, 2 km away from Top slip. Trekking and hill climbing are also available here. There is a town Amaravathy Nagar has Crocodile breeding centre.

Topslip: 37 kms from Polachi, it is an ideal picnic spot in the Anamalai Hills.

Black Thunder Amusement Park: Black Thunder, a water sports and amusement park is situated about 40-km from Coimbatore on the Ooty main Road. When you need time off from the rest of the world, time to be with your family, time to share moments of adventure and fun with friends, time for children to experience fun and joy, time to take a break- Black Thunder is your destination.

Parambikulam - Aliyar Multipurpose: Located in the Anamali range, the project consists of a series of dams inter-connected by tunnels and canals for harnessing the Parambikulam, Aliyar, Nirar, Sholiyar, Thunakadavu, Thekkadi and Palar rivers, lying at various elevations, for irrigation and power generation

V O C Park: Named after the freedom fighter V.O Chidambaram the Park has a mini zoo and toy train.

Thiruppur: An important textile centre in Coimbatore district, it is also famous for hosiery products. Thiruppur is also closely associated with ' Thiruppur Kumaran ' one of the valiant freedom fighters. It is 50-km from Coimbatore.

Museums in Coimbatore
Forest College Museum: One of the oldest institution of its kind in India, the Forest College is situated 3.5 kms. north of the Railway Station. The College Museum is worth a visit

Khadi Gandhi Gallery: The Government set the Khadi Gandhi gallery up in Coimbatore on 15th of July 1970. The gallery displays pictures of Gandhi right from his birth to his death. Separate cubicles are arranged for each phase in Gandhi' life, which pictures all major events that occurred in his life. There are interesting collections of rare photographs titled 'Journey through Harijan Life', 'Family', 'Friends', 'Independence Struggle', 'Jail Life' and "Peace Talks'. Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated with grandeur in this gallery and the collector visits the gallery during 'Gandhi Jayanti' and participates in the function followed by bhajans.

Agricultural University (Coimbatore): It came into existence in 1971 but the nucleus was an Agricultural Demonstration Farm started in 1868 later shifted to Coimbatore and became one of the internationally reputed Agricultural Colleges. This has been converted into the present Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

Government Museum: The government initiated the museum in 1989. The museum is situated in VOC Park Road, which bears the remnants of various tribes of the place. The museum is compartmentalized into 5 sections. The museum bears fossil remains and age-old tools. The megalithic burial materials, treasure trove materials, ancient coins and decorative artifacts are few among the rare items that are displayed. There is a separate section for old rocks, minerals and wood fossils and tribal medicinal plants.

Excursion
Marudamalai Temple: This temple located on a hillock is 12 kms from the railway station. It is dedicated to Lord Subramanya known here as "Dandayudapani" Coimbatore Agricultural University is equally well known.

Perur Patteeswaraswamy Temple: 7 Kms west of Coimbatore is this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva also known as Patheeswarar. The sculptures in the hall, Kanagasabai are exquisite. This is also called Mel Chidambaram.

Thirumoorthy Temple: It is situated at the foot of Thirumoorthy Hills adjoining the Thirumoorth Dam. This is about 20 kms. from Udumalpet on the Highway from Palani to Coimbatore. A perennial stream flows by the side of the sri Amalingeswarar temple and nearby there is a waterfalls. The Crocodile Farm at Amaravathi Dam is just 25 kms. from here. This place is being developed as a District Excursion Centre. Regular buses are available from Udumalpet.

Water Falls (Coimbatore): There are various enchanting waterfalls in Coimbatore.The Dam, Sengupathi Waterfalls and the Monkey Falls are worth a visit.

The Siruvani Waterfalls and Dam: The waterfalls and the dam are located at a distance of 37 kms. west of the city. The water of Siruvani is known for its taste. The panoramic view of the dam and the falls are of enchanting beauty

Shopping in Coimbatore
Coimbatore is a major industrial centre in Tamil Nadu noted for its textile mills and engineering industry. Some of the main places to shop in Coimbatore are: -
1) Big Bazaar, Oppanakkara Street
2) Raja Street, Ranga Gownder Street
3) Sukravar Pettai (for Handloom Saris)
4) Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium
5) Co-optex
6) Khadikrafts
7) TANSI Sales Centre are

Places to stay in Coimbatore
Being a major city of the state, Coimbatore offers various accommodation options for tourists. There are star hotels, moderate class and small budgeted hotels and lodges. Accommodation is also available at the Railway Retiring Room, Railway Station Corporation; Bus Stand Rest House, Central Bus Stand; and Sports Development Authority Dormitory.

How to Get There
By Air: Coimbatore has an airport. Flights connect it with Chennai and other important cities.

By Rail: Coimbatore is connected by rail to Chennai, Trivandrum, Delhi and other cities.

By Road: It is also connected with all the important cities and places of interest by road.

By Local Transport: Town buses connect all important places in and around the town. Taxis are available. State Transport Corporation ply mini luxury coaches between various points in the city and Airport

Tourist Information Centre about Coimbatore
»Tourist Information Counter Government of Tamil Nadu, Railway Junction, Coimbatore.

»Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. Dr. Nanjappa Road Coimbatore - 641018

General Information about Coimbatore
» Area: 23.5-sq-km
» Latitude N: 10° 10' and 11° 30'
» Longitude: E 76° 40' and 77° 30'
» Altitude: 43.2 m
» Clothing: Light Cottons
» Languages : Tamil, English, Telugu and Malayalam
» STD Code: 0422
» Climate: Tropical
» Temperature Range (deg C)
- Summer- Max 39.4ºC, Min 23.3ºC
- Winter- Max 32.8ºC, Min 20.7ºC
» Rainfall: 92.2 mm