COIMBATORE
General Information
of Coimbatore
Coimbatore- "The Textile Capital Of South India" Or
" The Manchester Of The South"
Coimbatore is one of the most industrialised cities in the
state. Popularly known as "The Textile Capital of South
India" or "The Manchester of the South", the city
is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal. Located in the
shadow of the Western Ghats, Coimbatore enjoys a very pleasant
climate the year round, aided by the fresh breeze that flows in
through the 25-km long Palakkad gap.
The Textile Industry Of Coimbatore
The rich black soil of the region has contributed to
Coimbatore's flourishing agriculture industry and, it is in fact
that the successful growth of cotton that served as a foundation
for the establishment of its famous textile industry. The first
textile mills came up as far back as 1888 but there are now over
a hundred mills. The result has been a strong economy and a
reputation as one of the greatest industrial cities in South
India.
Coimbatore serves as an entry and exit point to neighbouring
Kerala
and the ever-popular hill station of Udagamandalam (Ooty). It is the disembarking point for those who want to take
the Mountain train that runs from Mettupalayam, just 35 km from
Coimbatore.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Anamalai
Wildlife Sanctuary
Anamalai wildlife sanctuary is about 90-km from Coimbatore and
is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats
near Pollachi. The area of the sanctuary is 958-sq-kms. An
ecological paradise, this sanctuary encompasses a National Park.
It has just recently been renamed Indira Gandhi wildlife
sanctuary.
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.
Topslip
It is a picturesque locale in the Anamalai Hills. It is about
37-km. from Pollachi. This small town is an ideal picnic spot.
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.
Parambikulam-Aliyar Multipurpose Project
Parambikulam-Aliyar Multipurpose Project project consists of a
series of dams interconnected by tunnels and canals for
harnessing waters of the Parambikulam, Aliyar, Nirar, Sholiyar,
Thunakadavu, Thekkadi and Palar rivers, lying at various
elevations, for irrigation and power generation. The scheme is
an outstanding example of engineering skill. It is located in
the Anamalai range.
V O C Park
Named after the freedom fighter V.O.Chidambaram, the VOC Park is
the most appropriate place to go with children. The Coimbatore
Corporation maintains the park. The Park houses a mini Zoo,
models of prehistoric dinosaurs, Children' Train, Swing, Slider,
Seesaw and other play equipment and is more like an amusement
park for the children. The park has a stretch of grass patch
conveniently mowed to sit on.
PLACES OF WORSHIP: -
Thirumoorthy Temple
Thirumoorthy Temple is situated at the foot of Thirumoorthy
Hills adjoining the Thirumoorthy Dam. This is about 20 km 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 waterfall. The Crocodile Farm at Amaravati Dam
is just 25-km from here. This place is being developed as a
District Excursion Centre. Regular buses are available from
Udumalpet.
Perur
Patteeswaraswamy Temple
Perur Patteeswaraswamy temple built by Karikala Cholan is
located 7-km west of Coimbatore near river Noyyal. Coimbatore
has many temples out of which the Perur Patteeswara Swamy temple
is the most popular one. The temple upholds huge statues. The
significance of Perur temple in earlier days is unfolded in the
poetic creations of Arunagiri Nather and Kachiappa Munivar.
Marudamalai
Temple
About 12-km away from Coimbatore railway station is the
Marudhamalai temple of Lord Muruga. The temple is situated on
the Marudamalai (Maruda is the colloquial form of Marunthu,
which means medicine and Malai means mountain) mountain and is
one of the most visited temples in the region, the reason being
that the presiding deity, known as "Dandayuthapani" is
believed to have performed several miracles here.
MUSEUMS
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.
Forest College Museum
The Forest College is one of the oldest of its kind in the
country. The Forest College is situated 3.5 km north of the
railway station of Coimbatore. The college museum is worth a
visit. The museum preserves the fossils of plants and animals.
The museum also has dead specimen of plants and animals of rare
variety. The museum also has a special advisory counter offering
service to promote businesses related to plant husbandry.
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.
WATERFALLS
The
Siruvani Waterfalls and Dam
The Siruvani waterfalls and the dam are located at a distance of
37-km west of Coimbatore. The water of Siruvani is known for its
minerals and taste. The panoramic view of the dam and the falls
are of enchanting beauty.
Sengupathi Water Falls
Sengupathi Water Falls are situated 35-km from Coimbatore on the
Coimbatore - Siruvani main Road.
Monkey Falls
65-km from Coimbatore and 27-km from Pollachi on
Coimbatore-Pollachi-Valparai Highways are the Monkey Falls, a
famous picnic spot.
Vaideki Water Falls
Located 30-km from Coimbatore via. Narasipuram village are the
Vaideki Falls. It is a fine picnic spot for trekkers.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Peelamedu airport is 10-km from the city, which
operates regular flights to Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi
and Madurai.
Rail: Coimbatore is a major railway junction on the
Southern Railways and has trains to Chennai, Rameswaram, Madurai,
Bangalore, Mumbai, Kanyakumari, Kozhikode, Mettupalayam, Kochi
and Delhi.
Road: Coimbatore is connected by road with all major
places in South India. For local transportation, city buses,
taxis and auto rickshaws are available. State Transport
Corporation ply mini luxury coaches between various points in
the city and airport.
WHERE TO STAY
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.
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