COIMBATORE 

    Coimbatore city is the headquarters of the  District  and third largest city in Tamilnadu. As it is exposed to the Palghat gap of Western Ghats is enjoys  a salubrious climate. This has attracted a large number of textile mills to this region. It is  rightly called  the Manchester of South India. Coimbatore is also known for the manufacture of motor pump sets and varied engineering goods, due to which it has earned the title “ The Detroit of the South”. The  city  is also known for its handloom products. There are a number of technical institutions as well. A  Museum with rare sculptural collections is also available.

Perur Temple:

                Built by KARIKALA CHOLAN, this temple is situated 7 kms west of Coimbatore near River Noyyal. It  is dedicated to Lord Siva. The presiding deity of the temple is known as Patteeswarar and His  Consort, Pachai Nayaki. The exquisite sculptures in the hall, Kanagasabai, attract one and all. It is also known as Mel Chidambaram.

Maruthamalai Temple:

Dedicated to Lord Murugan, the presiding deity is known as Dandayuthapani. This temple located on a hillock is 12 kms from Coimbatore Railway Station and Bus Station.

Agricultural University:

 About 5 kms from the Coimbatore Railway Station. This is the sixteenth Farm University in independent India. Though it came into existence on June 1, 1971 its ancestry is much older to  that of the earliest started Agricultural University in the country. The nucleus was in Agricultural Demonstration  Farm started in 1868 in Saidapet, Chennai. Which was later shifted to Coimbatore in 1907 and became one of the internationally reputed Agricultural College that has been converted into the present Tamilnadu Agricultural University.

V.O.C. Park:

Named after the freedom fighter V.O.Chidambaram, this park is maintained by the Municipality. There is a mini-zoo and joy train in the park.

Forest College:

One of the oldest institutions of the kind in the country, the Forest College is situated 3.5 kms north of the Railway Station. The  College Museum is worth a visit.

G.D. Naidu Industrial Exhibition:

The late Thiru. G.D. Naidu was a born technocrat. He was  a legend in his  own lifetime. He had made invaluable contributions to technical, electronics, mechanical and agricultural sectors. He had also established an Industrial Exhibition.

Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary:

This  place about 90 kms from Coimbatore. This Sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi. The area of the sanctuary  is 958 sq.kms. It has various kinds of fauna like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, Jackal, pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, red-whishered bulbul, black headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, green pigeon, etc.  The Amaravathy reservoir in the Anamalai’s has large number of crocodiles. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karainshola. Anaikunthi shola, Grass hills, Waterfalls, Groves, Teak forests, Estates, Dams and Reservoirs. Arrangements are available at Topslip to take tourists around the sanctuary on elephant back or by van.

Topslip:

 It is a picturesque local in the  Anamalai Hills. It  is about 37 kms. from Pollachi. This small town is an ideal picnic spot.

Thirumoorthy Temple:

                It is situated at the foot of Thirumoorthy Hills adjoining the Thirumoorthy 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.

  

Bhavani:

The Sangameswarar temple  at Bhavani is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Bhavani and Cauveri. This place is called as “THIRUVENI OF SOUTH INDIA.” It is an important pilgrim centre. Lord Sangameswarar with his Consort Vedanayaki is the presiding deity. It is said that during the East India Company regime the then Collector of Coimbatore and Salem  Districts, William Garrow, who had his Headquarters at Bhavani, worshipped the Goddess Vedanyaki.  One night the goddess directed him in his dream to  vacate his bungalow immediately. The moment he vacated, the entire bungalow collapsed. In reverence of this miracle, he presented to the temple an ivory cradle which is still in the temple with his signature.

Siruvani Waterfalls & Dam:

This waterfalls and the dam are located at a distance 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.

Parambikulam –Aliyar Multipurpose Project:

This project consists of a series of dams interconnected by tunnels and canals for harnessing the Parambikulam., Aliyar, Nirar, Sholiyar, Thunakadavu, Thekkadi and Palar rives, lying  at various elevations, for irrigation and power generation. The scheme is an outstanding example of engineering skill. It is located in Anamalai  range.

Valparai:

It is 102 kms from Coimbatore in Western Ghats in Anamalai range. It has many tea plantations and is a picnic spot.

Monkey falls:

It is 65 kms from  Coimbatore and 27 kms from Pollachi on Coimbatore-Pollachi-Valparai Highways.

Sengupathi Water Falls:

They are situated 35 kms from Coimbatore on the Coimbatore-Siruvani Main road.

Kodumudi:

It is 40 kms from Erode and 105 kms from Coimbatore. A special feature of this place is that shrines for Siva. Vishnu and Brahma are located in one temple complex. Siva is known as Muchukundeswarar, Vishnu as Veera Narayana Perumal. The temple is one of the important temple in this area.

Chennimalai:

It is an important Handloom Weaving Centre in Tamilnadu. It is 30 kms from Erode and 80 kms from Coimbatore. There is a temple on the top of a hill close to the town. Originally, there was the idol of Subramanya with six faces. As it was damaged, the idol of Dandayuthapani, was installed as the presiding deity.

Bannari:

Located in the Erode District, it is about 83 kms from Coimbatore and 10 kms from Bhavanisagar. The Mariamman temple here is very famous and attracts thousands of Pilgrims.

Kodumanal:

It is 40 kms from Erode. It is a tiny village on the banks of the Noyyal river. It is an archaeological site dating back to the 2^nd Century B.C. Here lies the remains of a megalithic settlement where inhabitants were highly skilled craftsmen specialized in making beads and high quality steel.

Erode:

The Headquarters of the Erode District, it is  the birth place of Periyar E.V.RAMASAMY affectionately called Thanthai Periyar by the people of Tamilnadu. He was a great social reformer, rationalist and politician. There are two ancient temples one dedicated to Lord Siva and the other to Lord Vishnu. There are some interesting inscriptions in these temples. The handloom products of Erode are very famous. It is about 92 kms from Coimbatore.

Pollachi:

This town is about 40 kms from Coimbatore on the way to Prambikulam-Aliyar Project. Next to Coimbatore it is  the leading town of the District and an important commercial centre. A temple dedicated to mariamman and another to Subramanya are located here. There are beautiful stone carvings  of a five hooded serpent, a Yali with a chain hanging from its mouth and zodiac signs in the subramanya Temple.

Avinashi:

The Avinashi Lingeswarar temple located here is about 40 kms. from Coimbatore. Avinashi is also known as South Banares. Dating back to the 12^th century A.D. this is the biggest temple, built by the Cholas. There are some fine stone carvings in this temple. The old name of this place was Pukkoliur.

 

Tirupur:

An important textile centre in this district. It is  also famous for hosiery products. Tirupur is also closely associated with Tirupur kumaran one of the valiant freedom fighters. It is 50 kms from Coimbatore.

Palani:

The temple of Lord Muruga is located on  the Palani Hills in Dindigul District. The presiding deity is Dandayuthapani. The idol is made of medicinal herbs. It is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga  and one of the major Pilgrim centers in South India next only to Thirupathi. An electrically operated winch and rob car  takes the pilgrims to the top. It is 105 kms from Coimbatore.

 


 

   

 
Guruvayur:

The Guruvayurappan temple situated here is an important Vishnu temple in Kerala State. For Hindus, especially for Vaishnuvaites, this is one of the important pilgrim centres it is 150 kms. from Coimbatore.