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Coimbatore is one of the major industrial cities in Tamil Nadu and is called the Manchester of Southern India. Coimbatore is famous for the manufacture of motor pump sets and varied engineering goods, due to which it is also called as the "Detroit of the South". The towns that are adjacent to Coimbatore are : Tirupur, Hosiery town; Palakkad, gateway to Kerala state, Ooty, a world-famous hill-station; Pollachi, an agricultural town.

Culture and History

Overview

Coimbatore is known for its various industries, engineering goods, textile mills, educational institutions, health care facilities, pleasant weather, friendly culture and hospitality. There is a significant minority of people of North and West Indian origin in Coimbatore which gives it a cosmopolitan outlook. The Tamil spoken here is called Kongu Tamil. Other languages spoken include English, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. Very friendly & courteous people in South India. Except for early summer it otherwise has a very pleasant climate throughout the year, similar to a resort town. It's one of the upcoming Information Technology Hub with new initiatives from the State Govt. Coimbatore is an orthodox city. It has developed in terms of wealth, however the general populace is still down to earth. People here don't have a flashy lifestyle, they are generally very content. Most of all the Coimbatoreans are known for the respect displayed in language towards everyone.

Travel to Coimbatore - Visa Requirements

The city has six major arterial roads and three National Highways, NH-47 (Kanyakumari-Salem), NH-67 (Nagapattinam-Ooty) and NH-209 (Bangalore-Dindigul) passing through the city. The city has a civil airport at Peelamedu and an Airforce base at Sulur. Broad Gauge trains connect to all parts of India and a meter gauge line connects to the cities of Palani, Dindugul & Madurai. A by-pass tollway was built recently to avoid unnecessary traffic into the city.

Coimbatore Events

Coimbatore Vizha is an event visualized and organized by Coimbatore chapter of Young Indians, Coimbatore Vizha is an endeavour to bring alive the spirit of celebration in the city. Coimbatore Vizha

Flights and airtickets to Coimbatore

Coimbatore has an airport which has regular flights from Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad,Sharjah, Mumbai and New Delhi. Paramount Airways, Air India, Air Deccan, Jet Airways, Jetlite and Kingfisher, Spice Jet operate domestic flights out of Coimbatore Airport. International flights are operated by Air India, SilkAir, SriLankan Airlines and Airarabia. In fact, Paramount Airways, India's first all-business class carrier first took wing in Coimbatore, before shifting base to Chennai

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.

International

Domestic

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.

  • Southern Railway [12]
  • Indian Railway reservations [13]

Buses to Coimbatore

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.contact no:0422-2524969, setcedp@eth.net

Tours and Getting around Coimbatore

Getting around Coimbatore is easy. There are public transport buses, auto rickshaws and call taxis available in plenty.

Auto rickshaws are not advised as they charge whatever they feel like, if they find that you are an outsider. Call taxis are the best as they have digital meter installed which will tell you the cost. Minimum charge is Rs. 35/- .There are many call taxi operators here, you can get the number from your hotel or railway station, airport etc.

By taxi

  • Rajshree Call Taxi :+91-422-2513716 & 093666 59900 /Indica AC, Tempo Travellor, Omni, etc.,
  • MAYIL VAHANAM TRAVELS all type of cabs: 098422-44744, +91 422 436 56 69
  • A.G Travels : 09865853446, 99407 12967
  • ABI Call Taxi : +91-422-2474747
  • Best Call Taxi : +91-422-2555222
  • City Call Taxi : +91-422-2234455
  • Kovai Call Taxi : +91-422-2478787
  • Siruvani Call Taxi : +91-422-2472626
  • Vinayaga Call Taxi : +91-422-2494949
  • Capital Call Taxi  : +91-422-2440555
  • Aroma Call Taxi : +91-422-2474747
  • SS Cabs :+91-422-2444324 & 9443040601
  • sree saravanaa travels:+91-422-3 26 26 36cell98422 98446 93600 11221
  • YELLOW CABS +91-422-435 11 22

Car rentals

  • PCF Tours and Travels - For excellent services for full day car hire. + 936 325 3251
  • COR holidays - South india package Tour Operator - contact +91 96007 93007 or +91 93447 93443 [14]
  • Kumar Tourist [15] - A tourist agency in Coimbatore
  • Arr Arr Travels - A Travels Agency
  • Lakshmi Travels, Pappanaickenpalayam - Contact: 98422 19900 - for full-day car hire
  • Yellow Cabs Call Taxi 422-435 11 22
  • Capital Traveline, No, 166, VRG complex, N.S.R Road, Saibaba Colony contact:+91 99943 99913- for All Travel needs
  • Shri Aditya Travels +919944003594
  • SHIRIDI TRAVELS ,Cross cut road, Gandthipuram +91-90950-39992
  • SS Travels Koundampalayam :0422-2444324.
  • Indus Travel Link, 100 Feet Road : +91 422 4369766
  • Savaari Car Rental,Savaari Car Rental Coimbatore has a reputation for providing quality luxury car rentals Coimbatore.For more information on online booking of Rental Car in Coimbatore, Website:[16]
  • Uva Tours India - Package Tour Operator -Domestic & International- Hotel Booking,Car,Tourist Bus,House Boat booking,Eco Tourisam,North Indian Packages,South Indian Packages,Singapore, Malasiya,Thailand,china Lakshdweep. 23 teachers colony,Podannur,Coimbatore-23 ,+91 999 5139563,91 422 2671925
  • ]indian tours @ travels- poo market...coimbatore, contact- 9363200576..( we provide all luxury cars, van, bus, mini bus..all...)( we also provide tour package... and guide service.....)
  • Friends Cab

Educational Institutes

Coimbatore is well known for its educational institutes. These institutes attract many students and visitors from other Indian states and also from overseas.

  • Coimbatore Institute of Engineering and Information Technology[17]
  • Park College of Engineering & Technology[18]
  • Amirtha Institute of Technology
  • Avinashilingam Deemed University [19]
  • Tamil Nadu Agricultural University [20]
  • Coimbatore Medical College
  • PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research
  • Coimbatore Institute of Technology [21]
  • PSG College of Technology [22]
  • Government College of Technology[23]
  • Kumaraguru College of Technology [24]
  • Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology [25]
  • Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College [26]
  • Tamilnadu College of Engineering
  • Dr.Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology, Pollachi[27]
  • PSG Institute of Management [28]
  • Karunya University
  • V.L.B. Janakiammal College of Engineering and Technology [29]

Coimbatore also has many schools like Lisieux Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Stanes Higher Secondary School, Mani's High School, G.D Matric hr. sec. school,SBOA,VCV Sishu Vidyodaya, Bharathi Matriculation, Sindhi Vidyalaya etc.

Coimbatore tourist attractions and sightseeing

  • 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 km), Monkey falls(75 km), Athikadavu stream(40km), Kallar river banks(55 km), Topslip town(90 km), Malampuzha dam(60 km),Thirumurthy waterfalls(90 km), Dhyanalinga Yogic temple [30]& 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 three good water theme parks Black Thunder Near Ooty foot hills Kovai Kondattam enroute to Siruvani Dam and Maharaja Water Theme Park near Neelambur, Avinashi Road. 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[31], 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 which is more than 1000 years old with wonderful sculptures, 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 visiting -20 km from city. The famous Palani temple devoted to Lord Muruga is 100 km 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, CSI Immanuel, Intouch Fellowship at the YWCA Hall.
  • Dams are Siruvani (World's Second tastiest water which is the source of drinking water in Coimbatore), Amaravathi Dam(Udumalpet), Thirumoorthi Dam(Udumalpet), Aazhiyaar(Aaleeyaar), Sozhaiyaar (Solaiyaar), Bhavani Sagar,
  • 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,Thirumoorthi falls near Udumalpet(65 Km)..
  • 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.
  • Crocodile Park in Amaravathi is near Udumalpet (65 km).

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.

Coimbatore city tours

Try tasting Siruvani Water (off late the water has lost its sweetness as the civil authorities mix Siruvani water with another source called Athikadavu water) & drinking before heading towards your destination.

Learn

Tamil is the mother tongue of the natives-picking up few word would be helpful. .Telugu and Malayalam would qualify as the other languages.English is also spoken.

Work

Business cotton mill, or engineering mechanical or anything with spare parts,or jewellery business like diamond or gold, coconut business, etc. Tidal park work is going on the way to make launch in mid-August 2008.

Coimbatore souvenirs and shopping

While Coimbatore lacks the pavement shop culture of Chennai where you bargain and get rock bottom prices, the town has some good shops in terms of clothing and jewellery.Unless you are very keen to buy something , shopping may be avoided. The shopping areas are RS Puram (DB Road/CB Road), Gandhipuram (Cross Cut Road) and Town Hall Area(Oppanakara St, Big Bazaar St, Raja St) Buy Jewelery and Cotton. Normally visitors to Coimbatore return home with different types of South Indian Silk Sarees (Kancheepuram Silk, Mysore Silk, etc). You will also find other varieties like Kerala Sarees, which are a speciality of the neighbouring state, Kerala. For men, there are besides "mundus" or "dhotis" , modern outfits of leading brands including those from Coimbatore like KG, Tibre, Crocodile, etc. A visit to Coimbatore is incomplete without going to the number of huge textile showrooms in the city (notably Chennai Silks, Ganapathy Silks & Crocodile Gallery on Oppanakara Street, Mahaveers, PSR, Shree Devi Textiles & Trouser Town on Cross Cut Road, and Kalyan Silks on 100 Feet Road and Tharakaram Silk House in Ram Nagar). Other must-buy items from Coimbatore include Banana chips (of Banana slice, outlet in Ram Nagar behind City Tower hotel, and A-1 chips with numerous outlets in the city), Sambar & curry powders from Annapoorna, and the famous Mysurpa (a sweet made from lentil flour and ghee) of Sri Krishna Sweets.

Sarees

  • Aavaranaa, 3/2, GD Road Race Course,Coimbatore 641 018,Tamilnadu, India.Phone +91 92444 03113

ATMs

  • State Bank of India, Trichy Road, RS puram, Gandhipuram, TNAU, Vadavalli, Kovaipudur
  • Punjab National Bank, Dr. Nanjappa Road, Gandhipuram
  • HSBC, Race Course
  • Corporation bank, Trichy road, R.S.Puram, Saibaba Colony, Gandhipuram, GKNM Hospital, Sathy Road
  • Oriental bank of commerce, Trichy road
  • IOB Crosscut road, NSR road, DB road
  • ICICI bank, Several across the city
  • HDFC, RS puram, Avinashi road, Trichy road
  • Standard Chartered Bank, RS puram
  • Citibank, Avinashi road
  • AXIS bank, RS puram,avinashi road

You can find Most of the ATMs at NSR Road stretch at Saibaba Colony, DB Road RS Puram, Avinashi road, Cross cut Road Gandhipuram, Oppanakara street, Trichy Road.

Coimbatore Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

When you vist Coimbatore don't forget to taste the Food & Siruvani Water. Coimbatore is an ideal stop if you want to take some rest while on the way to Ooty, Bangalore or Kerala. Don't forget to taste the best of South Indian Idlis, Dosas, Vada, Chutney and Vegetarian rice meal from the Annapoorna Chain of Restaurants and Non-vegetarian food from the Angannan's, Sampoorna, Rayappas and Thalappas restaurants. Try Krishna Sweets too, the sweets chain had their origins in this town. The strong influence of the west has prevailed and resulted in numerous coffee pubs and fast food outlets (Brown's Corner, Marie Brown, Domino's Pizza,coffee day, Boomerang).

  • Annalakshmi, [32].

Budget

  • Annapoorna-Veg Hotel Chain with more than 10 outlets in Coimbatore.
  • Aaryas-Veg Hotel Chain with around 10 outlets in Coimbatore.
  • Anjali Restaurant in Bharathiyar Road.
  • BIG FISH Saibaba Colony near S Bend
  • Chicken Sampoorna, Gandhipuram-Serves biriyani and Chicken the Chettinadu (Southern Tamilnadu) way.
  • Dakshin Restaurant, Nanjundapuram road, next to Parsons apartment complex.
  • Rayappas Restaurant, Gandhipuram and Bharathiyar road. Serves spicy biryani, Tandoori and Chettinadu dishes. Top preferred restaurant by students and families.
  • Burma Bhai Chicken Shop Near Police Quarters Uppilipalayam. Serves different chicken dishes with Kerala Paratta.
  • Thalapakattu Biryani Hotel in 7th street, Gandhipuram. 
[[Kongu Special Foods]]
  • Arya Bhavan Hotels,NH Road(Townhall),Singanaullar
  • Arya Bhavan classic ,RS Puram
  • Sri Krishna Hall , Avarampalayam
  • Balaji Hotel - for Non veg,RS puram
  • Akshaya Fast Food-For Non Veg,Raja street,
  • Sri Lakshmi Unavagam - in Lokamanya St West, RS Puram, For Authentic South Indian non-veg specialities

Mid-range

  • Cloud 9 Roof top restaurant, on 6 th floor Hotel City Tower. Offers a good view of Coimbatore. Ideal dinner spot.
  • Nilgiris-Nest, Avinashi Road.

Splurge

  • Pavilion at The Residency-Lawns.
  • Chin Chin at The Residency-Chinese Restaurant.
  • Afghans Grill at The Residency - best restaurant at the Residency.

HOTEL NAMES

  • CAG PRIDE- GANDHIPURAM
  • JENNY CLUB- PSGCAS
  • HERRITAGE INN-GANDHIPURAM
  • ALLANKAR-GANDHIPURAM
  • CITY TOWER -GANDHIPURAM
  • THE RESIDENCY -AVINASHI ROAD

Budget

  • Hotel Kalliapas, situated in gandhipuram cross cut road, offers a rooftop bar, the beverages are cost effective, though the crowd is noisy the place per se offers a cool ambience with lots of plants around, must visit if you prefer to be among locals.
  • Ramba Bar, opposite to Railway station which has the same traits as Kaliappas. Could help if you want a fast one before catching the train
  • Arr Vee Hotel near bus stand has good Bar.

Mid-range

"SHOWERS BAR" and "SHOWERS LOUNGE BAR" The twin bars at Hotel Vijai Paradise is a must feel place. It is at NSR road, saibaba colony, cbe-11

The Courtyard at Rathna Regent (OROIN), this place is on the main Avinashi Road opposite to Hotel Residency.

Splurge

  • House of Lords, [33]. At Residency, offers plush and tastefully done cocktail lounge.

Coimbatore nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Bike & Barrel: A Restro Bar at The Residency, Avinasi Road. Couple entry only, if you are not staying at The Residency.

Coimbatore cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Budget

There are a lot of budget hotels near the railway station and bus stand with single room between 150-350/day.

  • Sri Krishna Vilas, Ph: 0422 2301980, opposite to Collectrate.
  • Hotel Vinayak , Ph 0422 2301153, Geetha hall road, Opp to RLY stn.
  • Hotel vijay Paradise, Ph: 0422 2452222, NSR road, Saibaba colony.
  • Annapoorna Hotel, Ph: 0422 2547722, Arokyaswamy road, RS Puram.

Mid-range

  • Hotel City Tower, [34]. - standard A/C double room Rs.1250/- deluxe A/C double Rs.1500/.
  • Hotel Alankar Grandé, [35]. Standard single room starting from Rs.1600.
  • Nilgris Nest
  • 'Arul jyothi lodge' a really safe and good place to stay

Splurge

  • Hotel Heritage Inn Ph: 0422 2223920, Shivswamy road
  • The Residency
  • CAG Pride
  • Ratna Regent

Dental clinics

http://thaaradentalclinic.com/

Stay safe

Coimbatore is one of the safest place to stay.Watch out for pickpockets at Ukkadam bus stand. While travelling on bus, keep your valuables safe.

Stay healthy

The famous Aravind Eye Hospital is situated in Coimatore. It is in Avanashi Road and is equipped with the latest technology available in the world for Eye problems. It is linked with the other eye Hospitals in Madurai, Teni, etc... by satellite Network. It has a research wing too. Aravind Eye Hospitals are famous for cheap, best and friendly treatment in India. It is run by a charitable trust.

Sri Sankara Nethralaya. Another Eye Hospital run by Charitable trust.

Many Good hospitals can be found all over the city.

'SPT HOSPITAL. G.KUPPUSAMY NAIDU MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.. SRI RAMAKRISHNA HOSPITAL. GANGA HOSPITAL. PSG MEDICAL CENTER. KMCH. LOTUS. KG HOSPITAL'. SHEELA HOSPITAL.

Cope

Beauty parlors & hair salons

The Residency - For the Upper class

  • Numerous beauty parlours for Gents and Ladies spread across the town:

BUVANYA(Ladies) : 9994998819,2252019, Royal : 2235939, Miami : 2550334, Sonias : 2541118, Penqueens : 2477852, Herbal : 2547474, Oasis : 4216691, Vikashini : 2233032, Suja's : 2597546, , Sharanya : 2431131, Chozha : 2476552, Pretty : 2310822, Priyas : 2575319, Jancy : 2646237

Gyms

  • Fitness One India Ltd, 133/82, West Sambandam Road, R S Puram, Ph:- 2551222.
  • Fitness Centre, Tamil Nadu Agri University, Coimbatore, Ph:- 2431222
  • Challenger gym,Opposite to Ramakrishna Hospital,Sidhapudur,Coimbatore, Ph:-9789199996

Secretarial Services

  • Trinity, NSR Road, Saibaba Colony(near Sri Krishna Sweets), ☎ 0422-4383732. Colour Xerox, DTP-Tamil, English, multi-colour designing & printing, spiral binding, lamination. 

Get out

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