Tamil Nadu Tourism - Coimbatore

Coimbatore is the third largest city of Tamil Nadu after Chennai and Tiruchirapalli. It is one of the major industrial hubs of south India with huge textile mills and engineering units, sometime called as the “Manchester of South India” or the "Textile Capital Of South India" . It is also convenient base to visit the Nilgiri Hill Stations.

The location of the city is in such a way that it forms a part of the rain shadow region of Western Ghats offering pleasant climate throughout the year. Coimbatore, known for its thriving textile industries is also a place of tourist’s importance. It has many temples built in the ancient era. The city is also the gateway to the popular hill station of Ooty.








Coimbatore is a major industrial centre in Tamil Nadu noted for its textile mills, agricultural, auto parts and engineering industry. One can buy cotton apparels and hosiery products from Thiruppur. The best places to go shopping are Big Bazaar at Oppanakkara Street and Raja Street at Ranga Gownder Street. However, for Handloom Saris, one may opt for Sukravar Pettai.








¤ Tourist Attractions of Coimbatore

* Perur Patteeswaraswamy Temple
Perur temple is situated 7 Kms west of Coimbatore near river Noyyal. Perur temple is one of the best known Shivastalams of the Kongu region. It was built by the King Karikala Cholan . T his temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva also known as Patheeswarar. The sculptures in the hall, Kanagasabai are exquisite. This is also called Mel Chidambaram. The temple has its significance in earlier days that unfolds the poetic creations of Arunagiri Nather and Kachiappa Munivar.

* Muruga Marudhamalai Temple
Marudhamalai Temple located on a hillock is 12 kms from the Coimbatore railway station. This temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanian. Marudhamalai Murugan Temple is one of the most visited temples in the region, the reason being that the residing deity Dandayuthapani is believed to have performed several miracles here. The temple is situated on the Murudamalai Mountain visited by large number of tourists during festivals. It is believed that the presiding deity "Dandayuthapani" had performed several miracles here.

* Aanamalai Indira Gandhi Wild life Sanctuary
Aanaimalai wildlife sanctuary is about 90-kms from Coimbatore and is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi. The area of the sanctuary is 958 sq. kms. This place is a home to 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 Amaravati reservoir in the Aanaimalai wildlife sanctuary is home to a large number of crocodiles.

* Bhavani Sagar
This place is called as Tiruveni of South India; the Sangameshwarar temple at Bhavani is situated at the confluence of the rivers Bhavani and Cauvery. It is an important pilgrim centre. Lord Sangameshwarer with his consort Vedanayaki is the presiding deity. It is said that during the British rule, the Collector of Coimbatore and Salem Districts, William Garrow, had his headquarters at Bhavani, worshipped the Goddess Vedanayaki at this temple. One night the Goddess directed him in his dream to vacate his bungalow immediately. Just after he vacated, the entire bungalow collapsed. As thanks giving for this miracle, he presented an ivory cradle to the temple with his signature and it can be seen in the temple. The lower Bhavani Dam is located on the Bhavani River. It is constructed after India's independence. It is best picnic spot.

* Top Slip
Top Slip is a Hill Station. It is a picturesque located in the Aanaimalai Hills. It is about 37 kms from Pollachi. Pollachi is 40 kms from Coimbatore . This small town is an ideal picnic spot.

* Thirumoorthy Hills
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 waterfall. The Crocodile Farm at Amaravathi Dam is just 25 kms from here. This place is being developed as a District Excursion Centre.

* Black Thunder Amusement Park
Asia's No.1 Water Theme Park It is about 40 km. from Coimbatore . Amusement park is set at the view of the Niligiris. It has different fun games. It is a thrilling and adventures water park. The park offers exciting moments of adventure and fun while you are with your family and friends. This is the best place for children to experience fun and joy; take a break from your busy life to experience some extraordinary events at Black Thunder.

* Kovai Kutralam
This fall is amidst a thick forest, hence visitors are not allowed after 5 pm. The Kovai Kutralam waterfalls are located in the Siruvani Hills. It is situated in the dark forest area of the outer part of Coimbatore. The Siruvani River, which flows in the Siruvani Hills, which makes the famous Kovai Kutralam waterfalls. The water fall is about 37 kilometers away from Coimbatore city and the water fall is popularly known for its magnificence.

* Thirumurthy Dam
This is Located about 20 kms from Udumalpet on the highway from Palani to Coimbatore. A perennial stream flows by the side of the Amalingeswarar temple and near by there is a water fall. Thirumurthy Dam is built adjoining the Thirumurthy Hill. It is situated at the foot of Thirumurthy Hills adjoining the Thirumurthy Dam. This is about 20 kms from Udumalpet on the highway from Palani to Coimbatore. A perennial stream flows by the side of the Amalingeswarar temple and near by there is a water fall. This place is being developed as District Excursion Centre.

* Amaravathy
Amaravathi Reservoir is created by a dam in the district of Coimbatore, India. The Government had ordered release of 1,500 cusecs from Monday for drinking water needs of Karur town and 300 cusecs for irrigation of 9,000 acres in Udumalpet taluk from August 11, but the incessant rains pushed the early release of surplus water. Amaravathy is 25 Kms from Thirumoorthy Dam.

* Aliyer dam
There is a park and boating can also be done. It is located about 65 Km from Coimbatore and it is found on the foothills of Valparai. Here, Aliyar lake receives water from upper aliyar reservoir through hydro-electric power station in Navamali and the Parambikulam reservoir through a contour canal. Near Aliyar dam, a good-looking park, an aquarium and a mini theme park is being maintained by Tamilnadu Fisheries Corporation. It's 2 km beyond the Aliyar Dam, is the Aliyar ashram.The dam has a height of 81 m from the deepest foundation. It is about 64 kms from Coimbatore.

* VOC Park
The VOC Park is the most appropriate place to go with children. The Coimbatore Corporation maintains the park. The Park houses a mini Zoo, models of prehistoric dinosaurs, Children' Train, Swing, Slider, Seesaw and other play equipment and is more like an amusement park for the children. Dedicated to the memory of the freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram VOC Park has mini zoo, children train and gardens with the replicas of pre-historic dinosaurs.

* Agriculture University
The location was moved to Coimbatore in 1907 and the name was changed to Agricultural College, which later, came to be known as the Agricultural University. One of the best institutions of its kind in South Asia, the Agricultural University was originally established as an Agriculture Farm in Saidapet, Chennai. It is 5 kms away from the 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 than that of the earliest started Agricultural University in the country.

* Valparai Hill Station
There are many waterfalls, stream, dams and many dense forests in the Anamalai range. This hill station is 102 kilometers from Coimbatore. The main plantation here is tea. The place looks green all over. It is also a fine picnic spot of exhuberance place of Interest in the city. One can travel to Kerala from Valparai through the mountain route.

* Siruvani Waterfalls & Dam
The water of Siruvani is known for its taste. The panoramic views of the dam and the falls are enchanting. This waterfalls and the dam are located at a distance of 37 kms west of the city. The water of Siruvani is known for its minerals and taste. The landscapes views of the surroundings of the dam and the falls are very beautiful.

* Forest College Museum
The Forest College, situated 3.5 kms from the Coimbatore railway station has one museum of worth a visit. It is one of the oldest colleges of the country. The museum houses the fossils of plants and animals. It has also a rare collection of dead specimen of plants and animals of different variety. The museum has one special advisory counter offering service to promote businesses related to plant husbandry.

* Khadi Gandhi Gallery
The Khadi Gandhi Gallery came up in the city on 15th of July 1970 by the assistance of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The gallery exhibits pictures of Mahatma Gandhi right from his childhood. Separate cubicles are arranged for each phase in Gandhi' life, which shows all major events that occurred in his life. You can also see rare collections of photographs titled 'Journey through Harijan Life', 'Family', 'Friends', 'Independence Struggle', 'Jail Life' and "Peace Talks'. Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated with grandeur in this gallery and the collector visits the gallery during 'Gandhi Jayanti' and participates in the function followed by bhajans.

* Government Museum
The Government Museum of Coimbatore was established in the year 1989. The museum is situated in VOC Park Road, which bears the remnants of various tribes of the place. The museum has been divided into 5 sections. The main objects displayed in the museum include fossil remains and age-old tools, the megalithic burial materials, treasure trove materials, ancient coins and decorative artifacts. A separate section for old rocks, minerals and wood fossils and tribal medicinal plants is also there to raise tourist’s interests.

* Tamil Nadu Agriculture University
Coimbatore is the home to one of the best institutions in South Asia - the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Situated five kilometers away from the railway station, the university also houses one botanical garden which is the main attraction here. Located towards the west of the city centre and spread over an area of 300 hectares, the garden has a good collection of different species of flowering plants and trees.