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Coimbatore
From Wikitravel
Contents
Coimbatore [1] is a major industrial city in Tamil Nadu, often likened to being the Manchester or Detroit of Southern India. It's famous for the manufacture of motor pump sets and varied engineering goods.
[edit] Understand
Coimbatore is known for its various industries, engineering goods, textile mills, educational institutions, health care facilities, pleasant weather, friendly culture and hospitality. There is a significant minority of people of North and West Indian origin in Coimbatore which gives it a cosmopolitan outlook. The Tamil spoken here is called Kongu Tamil. Other languages spoken include English, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. Very friendly & courteous people in South India. Except for early summer it otherwise has a very pleasant climate throughout the year, similar to a resort town. It's one of the upcoming Information Technology Hub with new initiatives from the State Govt. Coimbatore is an orthodox city. It has developed in terms of wealth, however the general populace is still down to earth. People here don't have a flashy lifestyle, they are generally very content. Most of all the Coimbatoreans are known for the respect displayed in language towards everyone.
[edit] Talk
Tamil is the mother tongue of the natives-picking up few word would be helpful.Telugu and Malayalam would qualify as the other languages.English is also spoken.
[edit] Get in
The city has six major arterial roads and three National Highways, NH-47 (Kanyakumari-Salem), NH-67 (Nagapattinam-Ooty) and NH-209 (Bangalore-Dindigul) passing through the city. The city has a civil airport at Peelamedu and an Airforce base at Sulur. Broad Gauge trains connect to all parts of India. A by-pass tollway was built recently to avoid unnecessary traffic into the city.
[edit] By plane
Coimbatore Airport is approximately 15 kilometers from the center of the city, connections are mainly done with Taxi's. The airport currently has one operational terminal (a second terminal is in construction). Modernisation of the existing terminal is in progress. Coimbatore airport has regular flights from many Indian cities, and Flydubai is planning to start operations from September 2009. Air Asia has also expressed interest in introducing flights between Coimbatore and Kuala Lumpur.
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DOMESTIC |
INTERNATIONAL |
[edit] By train
Coimbatore Junction is well connected by trains from all major cities including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calicut, Cochin, Chennai, Gorakhpur, Hyderabad, Kanyakumari, Jammu, Mumbai, New Delhi and Trivandrum. Other nearby train stations include Podanur Junction and Coimbatore North Junction.
[edit] By bus
The State Transport Corporation and a lot of private buses operate from Coimbatore to major cities in Tamil Nadu and neighboring Kerala and Karnataka states.
[edit] Get around
Getting around Coimbatore is easy. There are public transport buses, auto rickshaws and plenty taxis available. Auto rickshaws can charge whatever they feel like, if they find that you are an outsider. Call taxis have a digital meter installed which will tell you the cost. Minimum charge is Rs. 35/- .There are many call taxi operators here, you can get the number from your hotel, the railway station or airport.
[edit][add listing] See
[edit] Temples
Temples in and around Coimbatore are: Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple[14], Eachanaari Vinayaga Temple in Pollachi road, Marudhamalai Hill Temple, Anubhavi Subramniar temple which has a natural spring that spurts water throughout the year, Perur Siva Temple which is more than 1000 years old with wonderful sculptures, Asia's biggest statue of Lord Ganesha temple in Puliakulam. Other temples are Ayappan Pooja Sangam in Ramnagar and Ayyappan temple in New Siddhapudur, Sringeri Saradha Koil, Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Saibaba colony, Koniamman temple and Ramar temple in Ramnagar near Gandhipuram bus stand. Isha Yoga Center's SHIVA TEMPLE - Worth visiting -20 km from city. The famous Palani temple devoted to Lord Muruga is 100 km from Coimbatore.
- Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple:, Chinna Thadagam. This temple has a natural outflow, which spouts water all through the year. For this reason, the temple is quite popularly known and people never fail to make their visit. There must be 100s of steps to get to the temple, and no mechanical help available. This place is frequented by elephants and hence do not plan to visit the temple during evening hours. Don't forget to visit the Lalithambikai temple situated at its foothills. edit
- Marudhamalai Murugan Temple, Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Thirukoil (15 km north west of Coimbatore), ☎ 0422 2422490, [15]. A huge temple complex, at least 1200 years old, located on a picturesque hill, you should not miss it. edit
[edit] Other attractions
- Athar Jamad Masjid, (Located in Big bazaar street). A famous 100 years old Masjid edit
[edit][add listing] Do
- There are three good water theme parks Black Thunder Near Ooty foot hills Kovai Kondattam enroute to Siruvani Dam and Maharaja Water Theme Park near Neelambur, Avinashi Road. The entry fees are 300 to 350 for adults , while children get a discount of Rs 50-100 per head.
[edit][add listing] Buy
There are no shopping malls at present in Coimbatore although atleast two are under construction.Shopping in Coimbatore is concentrated in the areas of RS Puram, Cross-Cut Road and the Town Hall Area(Oppanakara St, Big Bazaar St, Raja St).Coimbatore,known as the Manchester of South India,is famous for textiles.Visitors to Coimbatore must not miss the dazzling array of shops selling Kanchivaram, Benares and designer sarees at Cross-Cut Road. Coimbatore is also known for its numerous jewelry stores situated along Cross-Cut Road and Town Hall Area.Leading global brands like Lee,Arrow,United Colors of Benetton, Levi’s Reebok, Adidas, Puma, Crocodile etc.,have retail outlets in D.B.Road.There are several huge textile showrooms in the city (Chennai Silks, Ganapathy Silks,Shree Devi Textiles,Kalyan Silks ) that sell ethnic wear, catering to the needs of the entire family.Sri Krishna Sweets, that specializes in Indian sweets,is famous for its Mysurpa(a sweet made from lentil flour and ghee).
ATMs have of most major banks sprung up in most parts of the city with the major number concentrated in the commercial areas like R.S.Puram,Trichy Road and Avanashi Road.
[edit][add listing] Eat
When you vist Coimbatore don't forget to taste the Food & Siruvani Water. Coimbatore is an ideal stop if you want to take some rest while on the way to Ooty, Bangalore or Kerala. Don't forget to taste the best of South Indian Idlis, Dosas, Vada, Chutney and Vegetarian rice meal from the Annapoorna Chain of Restaurants and Non-vegetarian food from the Angannan's, Sampoorna, Rayappas and Thalappas restaurants. Try Krishna Sweets too, the sweets chain had their origins in this town. The strong influence of the west has prevailed and resulted in numerous coffee pubs and fast food outlets.Chains like Subway,Domino's pizza,Pizza Hut,Baskin Robbins Ice cream,Marry Brown,Barista,Cafe Coffee Day,Boomerang etc., have made their presence felt among the city's elite and emerging middle class.
- Hari Bavan, RTO Road & Gandhipuram 4th Street. Serves excellent non-veg varieties. the lunch with 3 types of gravy (fish, mutton, and chicken) is famous. edit
[edit][add listing] Drink
The Siruvani water supplied in Coimbatore is said to be one of the tasties waters in the world, infact the second tastiest. Don't you ever resort to buying mineral water bottles when in Coimbatore. If so, you are going to miss something really good.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
There are a lot of budget hotels near the railway station and bus stand with single room between 150-350/day.
- Hotel City Tower, 56 Sivasamy Road, ☎ 0422 2230641, [16]. standard A/C double room Rs.1250/- deluxe A/C double Rs.1500/. edit
[edit] Cope
- Churches in Coimbatore are Infant Jesus Church in Kovaipudur, where devotees throng on Thursdays for attending the Noveena.St.Antony's Church in Puliakulam, where many devotees offered their prayers on every Tuesday, CSI Immanuel, Intouch Fellowship at the YWCA Hall. Other places of worship include Kottai Hidayathul Islam Safia Jamath Mosque in Kottaimedu
[edit] Stay safe
Watch out for pickpockets at Ukkadam bus stand. While travelling on bus, keep your valuables safe.
[edit] Get out
[edit] Picnic Spots
- Coimbatore is surrounded by hill ranges and hence several picnic spots for one-day drive and back exist around Coimbatore. Some of them are: Kovai Kutrallam water falls(45 km), Monkey falls(75 km), Athikadavu stream(40km), Kallar river banks(55 km), Topslip town(90 km), Malampuzha dam(60 km),Thirumurthy waterfalls(90 km), Dhyanalinga Yogic temple [17]& Isha Yoga centre(35 km), Vellingiri hill temple(65 km), Marudhamali Hill Temple(20 km), Vydehi Water falls(35 km), Bhavani Sagar(55km), Kodiveri(75 km) etc.Most of them are not very well known to outsiders and if you go on a working day , the tranquility would be an added advantage. And most of these roads are good, compared to Indian standards.
[edit] Other places
- See the tea plantations at Ooty or Munnar
- Topslip
- Waterfalls include Monkey falls on the way to Vaalpaarai hills, Kovai Kutralam near Siruvani. There are a few others on the way to Vaalpaarai and Ooty hills, and the Thirumoorthi falls near Udumalpet(65 Km)..
- Hill stations are Ooty (80 km), Valparai near Pollachi having no of sight seeing and picnic spots, Kodaikanal (180 km).
- Sanctuaries are Mudumalai Wild Life Sanctuary(150 km), Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary(100 km), Top Slip.
- Crocodile Park in Amaravathi is near Udumalpet (65 km).
- Botanical Garden which is situated opposite to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, which is situated on the way to Marudhamalai temple.
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