Coimbatore Travel Guide

Coimbatore The 3rd largest city in Tamilnadu, Coimbatore is popularly known as the ‘Manchester of south  India’ for its many textile mills. Is a large business and industrial city and a hub of discussion and debate with many medical, educational, business and technology groups conducting seminars here. Based at the foothills of the Nilgiris, the city also boasts of tea and coffee plantations along with numerous cash crops like tobacco and cotton. One of South India’s most important industrial cities, the development of hydroelectricity from pykara falls in the 1930s led to a cotton boom in Coimbatore.

Essentially  a textile shopper’s  paradise, Coimbatore  also is a base camp to many a  wondrous  sights in the peninsula including Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri, Mudumalai wild life sanctuary and others.

Places of attraction

Perur 7 kms. Away this place is famous for the Mel Chidambaram Temple is situated near river Nayyal and dedicated to Lord Shiva. 6 Kms west of the city centre Perur has one of seven Kongu Sivalayams a temple of great sanctity. The outer buildings were erected by Thirumalai Nayaka of Madurai between 1623-1659 but the inner shrine is much older.

A remarkable feature is the figure of a sepoy (Indian Soldier) loading a musket carved on the base of pillar near the entrance wearing identical dress to that of Aurangzeb’s soldiers at the end of the 17th century.

Pollachi is known for its temple dedicated to Mariamman & Subramanya and is 41 kms. Away.

Maruthamalai Temple is built on a hillock just 12 kms. Away from Coimbatore and dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Avinashi Lingeshwar Temple 41 kms. Away is also Shaivite and has worshippers from all over. Built by the Cholas in the 12th century. It has some beautiful architecture.

Parambikulam Aliyar is an ambitious hydro-project in the Annamalai range drawing its power from 6 rivers. Thirumurthi Swami Temple is located at the foothills of the Thirumurti hills adjacent to the Thirumurthi dam 96 kms. away. Sri Amalingeswar temple here has a perennial stream near by.

Mettupalayam : It is 30 kms. from Coimbatore via Narsipuram village. A beautiful picnic spot and a heaven for trekkers. A perennial waterfall is the chief attraction of this place.

Sengupathi Waterfalls: The Sengupathi waterfalls are located 35 kms. from Coimbatore on the Coimbatore-Siruvani main road. It is a nice picnic spot and people come in large number of bathe in the falls.

The Siruvani Waterfalls and Dam: The dam and waterfalls are at a distance of 37 kms. from Coimbatore on the western side. The water of Siruvani river is known for its taste and mineral properties. The panoramic view of the dam and the falls enchant the visitors.

Monkey Falls : This fall is ideal even for children to bathe. It is located on the Pollachi-Valparai High Road just on entering the ghat section after passing the Aliyar-Parambikulam multipurpose project.

Valparai: It is 102 kms from Coimbatore in the Western ghats of the Anaimalai range. A ride in ghat road that passes through the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is fantastic. The flora of this place is quite interesting and a paradise for botanists. All along the road one can see innumerable tea plantations. On the top is a Balaji temple built by the Birlas.

Topslip: It is picturesque spot in the Anaimalai Hills about 37 kms. from Pollachi. There is a waterfall on the top an ideal picnic location. Arrangements are made at Topslip to take tourists around the sanctuary on elephants’ back or in a van.

Amaravathi Dam: The steep Amaravathi dam across the river Amaravathi is just 25 kms. from Thirumoorthy Dam. There is a crocodile farm nearby.

Tiruppur: It is 50 kms. from Coimbatore and is associated with the illustrious  freedom fighter Kumar called Kodi Katha Kumaran (Kumaran who saved the honour of the flag).A statue is erected for him in this place. It is an important textile centre and famous the world over for hosiery products.