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S O U T H I N D I A >
C O I M B A T O R E
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Brief
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One
of the most industrialized cities in the state, Coimbatore,
is known as the textile capital of South India and the Manchester
of the South. The headquarters of the Nilgiri region, the
city is located in the shadow of the Western Ghats.
It enjoys a pleasant
climate the year round, aided by the fresh breeze that flows
in through the Palakkad gap, The center of textile manufacturing
in the state, Coimbatore is primarily a business center with
a strong economy.
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History
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Coimbatore
existed even prior to the 2nd century AD, as a small tribal
village capital, called Kongunad, until it was brought under
Chola control in the 2nd or 3rd century AD by Karikalan, the
first of the early Cholas.
Among its other
great rulers were the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoysalas
and the Vijayanagara kings. When Kongunad fell to the British
along with the rest of the state, it was renamed as Coimbatore
except in Tamil, in which it is called Kovai. |
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City
Info - |
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Food
- 'Hot
and spicy' best describes typical Chettinad cuisine. It is
a mix and match of southern Indian specialties with generous
lashings of fish, chicken and lamb. Traditional breakfasts
include an array of dosas, idlis and upama served with crisp
lentils and chutney. Fish or chicken almost always finds its
way into the menu, authentically prepared with coconut, cumin
and mustard. Wash down the meal with the fiery rasam. Finally,
who can forget the small steel sups of the famous frothy filter
coffee? Anything other than the 'real' stuff is an insult
for a Tamilian! |
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Shopping
- Sarees are
what you must buy when in Coimbatore, which is nicknamed the
textile capital of India. Additionally, bolts of brightly
coloured silk and vividly patterned cotton that could be used
as a tablecloth, a runner, or made into a skirt or simply
worn as a wrap. Save at least one complete day for browsing
around the markets.
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Entertainment
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Pongal
(January)
Celebrates life and symbolises new beginnings. At the start
of the day the family gathers for prayers. After which the
overflowing of boiling milk from an earthen pot marks an auspicious
start. Festivities are accompanied by cheerful shouts of "Pongalo
pongalo". A sumptuous meal with many sweets and snacks
amidst great revelry is the usual way to spend this day.
Navarathri
(October)
The nine-day festival is characterised by fasting which ends
with daily prayers. A typical diet is followed with many restrictions
that discipline the body and help to shed the extra calories!
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How
to Reach - |
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Location
- The second largest city in Tamil Nadu, situated
in the foothills of the Nilgiris. It lies at convenient distances
from Ooty (98 km), Kodaikanal (168 km) and Kochi (190 km).
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By
Air - IA and
Jet fly in daily from Mumbai, Chennai and Kozhikode. IA also
flies regularly from and to Kochi and Bangalore. Airport:
The Peelamedu Airport is 10-12 km from the city with all the
airline counters offering information and hospitality services.
A one-way taxi transfer costs approximately Rs 200 while an
autorickshaw charges Rs 60. |
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By
Rail -
Coimbatore has an extensive rail network connecting
it with ot7her cities in the south as well as certain main
cities in the country. There are daily trains from Ooty (Nilgiri
Express) and Chennai (Shatabdi Express & Kovai Express).
Additionally, the Coimbatore-Rameswaram Express travels via
Madurai; the Kanyakumari Express and the Hyderabad-Kochi Express
are other daily trains connecting Kanyakumari and Kochi to
Coimbatore. Railway station: The Coimbatore Junction, 2 km
south of the Central Bus Stand in the city centre, is easily
accessible from all parts of the city. |
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By
Road - Is well
connected by road to almost all major places in the south.
Both private and government buses travel from and to the city.
Bus stand: Central Bus Stand at Gandhipuram and another at
Ukkadam. The main one is at Gandhipuram, which has three bus
stations at 100 m from each other. Buses travel to the following
places from these two bus stands. The Gandhipuram Bus Stand
operates buses connecting Coimbatore with Bangalore (330 km),
Thiruvananthapuram (400 km) and Chennai (532 km), to name
a few. The Ukkadam Bus Stand connects Palani (108 km), Munnar
(166 km km) and Madurai (227 km) to Coimbatore. |
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Climate
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Pleasant,
equable climate with summer temperatures soaring to 38°C
and dipping in winter to 20°C. |
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: T O U R I S T P L A C
E S : |
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Perur
Temple - |
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Karikal Cholan
built this temple, over 1500 years ago and it located 7 kms
from Coimbatore Railway Station. There are shrines to the
presiding deity Patteeswarar and his consort Pachainayaki
and some elegantly carved sculptures in the Kanagasabai hall.
Every year In March devotees flock to this temple in hundreds
during the Panguni Uthiram festival.
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Others |
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FOREST
COLLEGE - One
of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country, the
Forest College is situated 3.5 kms north of the Railway Station.
The College Museum is worth a visit. |
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PARAMBIKULAM
- ALIYAR MULTIPURPOSE PROJECT - This project
consists of a series of dams interconnected by tunnels and
canals for harnessing waters of the Parambikulam, Aliyar,
Nirar, Sholiyar, Thunakadavu, Thekkadi and Palar rivers, lying
at various elevations, for irrigation and power generation.
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THE
SANGAMESHWARAR TEMPLE -
Situated at the confluence of the rivers Bhavani and the Cauvery,
The Sangameshwarar temple is called as the Tiruveni of South
India. An important pilgrim center, Lord Sangameshwar with
his consort Vedanayaki is the presiding deity. |
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MARUDHAMALAI
TEMPLE - Dedicated
to Lord Subramanya, this hilltop temple is one of the most
visited temples in the region. It is believed that the residing
deity Dandayuthapani has performed several miracles here.
Thai Poosam and Tirukarthigai festivals are celebrated with
great pomp and gaiety at this temple. Marudhamalai is located
12 kms from the Railway Station. |
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BLACK THUNDER -
A water theme park named "Black Thunder" is located
about 8 kms. From Mettupalayam - Ooty Ghat Road at the foothills
of Nilgiris. It is a fine amusement park and said to be Asia's
No 1 theme park. Numerous tourists visit this place. |
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ANAMALAI
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY -
This Sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters
in the Western Ghats near Pollachi (about 90 kms. from Coimbatore).
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, re-whiskered
bulbul, black headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, green
pigeon, etc.
The Amaravathy
reservoir in the Anamalais has a 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. Close to it is Valparai, in
the Western ghats of the Anamalai range, with tea plantations
and a picnic spot.
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UDHAGAMANDALAM
(Ooty) - The queen
of hill stations, Udhagamandalam (Ooty) is in the Nilgiri
mountain ranges in Tamilnadu. At a height of 2,268 meters,
Ooty is known for its salubrious climate and scenic beauty.
It is a delightful place for the people down south to escape
from the oppressive heat and for the people of North India
to avoid the cold in winters. |
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PALANI
- The temple of
Lord Muruga is located on the Palani Hills. 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 is South India next only to Thirupathi.
An electrically operated winch takes the pilgrims to the top.
It is 105 kms from Coimbatore.
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THE
SIRUVANI WATERFALLS & DAM -
Located at a distance of 37 kms west of the city, the Siruvani
waterfalls and the dam command a panoramic view of the area.
On the other end, the panoramic view of the dam and the falls
are of enchanting beauty. |
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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 with a waterfalls
nearby. |
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THIRUPPUR
- An important
textile Center in Coimbatore district, it is also famous for
hosiery products. Thiruppur is also closely associated with
Thiruppur Kumaran one of the valiant freedom fighters. It
is 50 kms from Coimbatore.
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