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Coimbatore

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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] 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 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 Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad,Sharjah, Mumbai and New Delhi. Paramount Airways, Air India, Air Deccan, Jet Airways, Jetlite and Kingfisher, Spice Jet operate domestic flights out of Coimbatore Airport. International flights are operated by Air India, SilkAir, SriLankan Airlines and Airarabia. In fact, Paramount Airways, India's first all-business class carrier first took wing in Coimbatore, before shifting base to Chennai.Flydubai is planning to start operations from September 2009.Air Asia has also expressed interest in introducing flights between Coimbatore and Kuala Lumpur.

Coimbatore Airport is approximately 15 kilometers from the center of the city. Mode of transport from the airport to the city includes taxi and autos.

International

Domestic

[edit] By train

Coimbatore Junction is well connected by trains from all major cities including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Gorakhpur, Hyderabad, Kanyakumari, Jammu, Mumbai and New Delhi. Other nearby train stations include Podanur Junction and Coimbatore North Junction.

  • Southern Railway [13]
  • Indian Railway reservations [14]
  • Southern Railway

[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

  • 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 [15]& 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.
  • 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.
  • Temples in and around Coimbatore are: Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple[16], 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.

  • Masjid - Athar Jamad Masjid which is situated in Big bazaar street is a famous Masjid and it's about 100 years old.
  • Other places of worship include Kottai Hidayathul Islam Safia Jamath Mosque in Kottaimedu
  • 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.
  • Dams are Siruvani (World's Second tastiest water which is the source of drinking water in Coimbatore), Amaravathi Dam(Udumalpet), Thirumoorthi Dam(Udumalpet), Aazhiyaar(Aaleeyaar), Sozhaiyaar (Solaiyaar), Bhavani Sagar,
  • Waterfalls include Monkey falls on the way to Vaalpaarai hills, Kovai kutralam near siruvani and others are on the way to Vaalpaarai hills and Ooty hills,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).
  • Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple:. The Anubhavi Subramaniar temple is one of the most famous temples situated some few kilometers away in the Coimbatore city, Tamil Nadu. People visiting Coimbatore city will make their visit to Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple, as they have quite unique spiritual qualities. This Anubhavi Subramaniar 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. People with divinity and having great hopes in spiritual and religious beliefs can make their prayers to the deity present in the temple. People can sense the pleasing atmosphere and can make their prayers surrounded in a noise-free environment  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Jai vardhan. Marudhamalai is also a big temple in Coimbatore so you should not miss it.  edit

[edit] Learn

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][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

[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, [17]. standard A/C double room Rs.1250/- deluxe A/C double Rs.1500/.  edit

[edit] Stay safe

Watch out for pickpockets at Ukkadam bus stand. While travelling on bus, keep your valuables safe.

[edit] Get out

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