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          COIMBATORE TRAVEL GUIDE

Coimbatore is known for its textile factories, engineering firms, automobile parts
manufacturers, health care facilities, educational institutions, pleasant weather,
friendly culture and hospitality. Situated on the banks of the Noyyal river, Coimbatore
is also known as Koneyammanputhhur, which means "birth-place of the Goddess"

Information about the origins of Coimbatore is scarce. During the early period it was
ruled by the Chera and Chozha dynasties. During the early Chola period (prior to the
year 200 CE) Karikala Chozha built the Perur temple. Later, the region passed to the
Rastrakutas and Ganga kingdoms of Mysore following the political confusion
created by the Kalabhras, who held sway over South India until 550 CE. The
Chalukya dynasty took over the region in 550 CE, after a brief tussle with the
Pallavas, who ruled the region for a few decades. From the Chalukyas, it passed on
to the Pandyas of Madurai in 720 CE. A second Chola empire arose in the mid-9th
century, and gained the territory encompassing Coimbatore. They established a
planned layout, with the Koniamman temple in the center. The village was named
"Kovanputhur" after its aboriginal Irula Clan chieftain. The Irulas built the water tanks
which still play a major role in Coimbatore's water management system.

From the Cholas, control of Coimbatore passed back to the Pandyas for a brief
period, then to the Hoysalas of Karnataka in 1291. By the early 14th century, the
region was ruled by the Muslim rulers of Madurai under the Delhi Sultanate. The
Muslim rule in Madurai was ended in the late 14th century by the newly formed
Vijayanagara Empire. The Vijayanagara reign brought new settlers from Andhra
Pradesh and Karnataka. In the 1550s, the military governors (Nayaks) of the
Vijaynagara Empire took control of Madurai, with Coimbatore belonging to their
territory. After the downfall of Vijayanagara Empire, the Madurai Nayaks established
their state as an independent kingdom, with other Vijayanagar offshoots forming
new kingdoms in Vellore, Tanjore, Gingee, Chandragiri and Mysore. The Nayaks
introduced the Palayakkarars, who were military governors of their respective
regions. By the 1700s, frequent fighting between Madurai and Mysore forces in the
Coimbatore region resulted in the village being ruled by Mysore. At this time
Coimbatore was still a village of around 3000 people.


GENERAL INFORMATION


Time zone         IST (UTC+5:30)
Area                   105.5 kmē (41 sq mi)
Elevation           411.2 m (1,349 ft)
District(s)          Coimbatore
Population        1,965,234 (2004)
Density              17,779/kmē
                    (46,047/sq mi)


PLACE TO VISIT

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 kms), Monkey falls(75 km), Athikadavu stream(40km), Kallar river banks(55
kms), Topslip town(90 kms), Malampuzha dam(60 km),Thirumurthy waterfalls(90
km), Dhyanalinga Yogic temple [18]& 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 two good water theme parks Black Thunder Near Ooty foot hills and Kovai
Kondattam enroute to Siruvani Dam. 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[19], 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, 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 to visit -20 kms from city. The famous
Palani temple devoted to Lord Muruga is 100 kms from Coimbatore.

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.

Dams are Siruvani (World's Second tastiest water which is the source of drinking
water in Coimbatore), Amaravathi, Aazhiyaar(Aaleeyaar), Sozhaiyaar (Solaiyaar),
Bhavani Sagar, Thirumoorthi Dam.

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.

Hill stations are Ooty(80 km), Vaalpaarai 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.

Coimbatore is lush green barring the core summer month of March to Jun, and is
relatively unexplored by outsider tourists. The rainy season is also mild compared to
the heavy rainfall that the neighbouring Kerala state witnesses.Hence people
looking for an economy travel with peaceful motoring (bike/car) could explore
Coimbatore and the surrounding hills like Anaikatti , Kovai Courtalam,
Kurundhamalai etc.


HOW TO REACH

By plane - Coimbatore has a domestic airport which has regular flights from
Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi
and Sharjah. Air Sahara, Indian Airlines, Air Deccan and Jet Airways, Kingfisher
operate flights out of Coimbatore Airport.

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.

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 North Coimbatore.

By bus - The state transport corporation and a lot of private bus operators ply bus
from Coimbatore to major cities in Tamil Nadu and also to the neighboring Kerala
and Karnataka states.