Coimbatore
Coimbatore is an industrial city of 2 million people (2020) in Tamil Nadu, often likened to being the Manchester or Detroit of Southern India. It's famous for the manufacture of motor-pump sets and varied engineering goods.
Understand
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Coimbatore, also known as Kovai is known for its various industries, engineering goods, textile mills, educational institutions, health care facilities, pleasant weather, friendly culture and hospitality. There are significant minorities of North and West Indian origin in the city, making it cosmopolitan. The people are friendly and courteous.
Coimbatore is an orthodox city. It has developed in terms of wealth, but the general populace is still down to earth. People here don't have a flashy lifestyle. Most of all the Coimbatoreans are known for the respect displayed in language towards everyone.
The city has pleasant, moderate weather throughout the year, with the exception of summer, and so, is similar to a resort town. It is an information-technology hub with new initiatives from the state government.
Talk
Tamil is the mother tongue of the majority of the people in Coimbatore. The Tamil spoken here is called Kongu Tamil. Other languages spoken include English, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Urdu. Unlike other cities in India, few people in Coimbatore can speak Hindi. English is commonly understood and spoken.
Get in
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 Air Force base at Sulur. Broad-gauge trains connect it to all parts of India. A bypass tollway was built to avoid unnecessary traffic into the city.
By plane
- 1 Coimbatore International AirportCategory:Has map markers (CJB Category:Airport listing IATA) (approximately 7 km from the centre of the city, connected mainly by the airport's own prepaid cabs). The airport has two operational terminals: one for departure and one for arrival. It has regular flights from many Indian cities and some international flights, e.g. from Singapore, Colombo and Sharjah.
By train
- 2 Coimbatore JunctionCategory:Has map markers (CBE). The major station in the city, well connected by trains from Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram. Other train stations in the city include Podanur Junction and Coimbatore North Junction.
By bus
There are four major bus stations in Coimbatore from where bus services are available from all major places in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh. All bus stations are inter-connected with local bus services throughout the day.
- 3 Singanallur Bus StationCategory:Has map markers. For buses from Madurai, Trichy, Karur, Tanjavur and nearby towns.
- 4 Gandhipuram bus standCategory:Has map markers (Central bus stand). Intra city buses are available. Route 20A connects the bus stand to the airport. For buses from the east and north-east, from Erode, Gobichettipalayam, Tirupur, Salem, Sathyamangalam and surrounding areas. There are no direct buses to Ooty. For Ooty one has to make a break at Mettupalayam.
- 5 Ukkadam Bus StationCategory:Has map markers. For buses from Palakkad, Trichur, Cochin, Trivandrum, Palani, Pollachi, Udumalpet and other nearby places.
- 6 Mettupalayam Bus StandCategory:Has map markers. Located in the northrn part of Coimbatore. Buses to Ooty is available from this bus stand,
Get around
Coimbatore has a network of public transport consisting of bus, autos, app taxi and app bikes
- Bus: Coimbatore has a well network of intra city busses originating from Gandhipuram bus stand and Singanallur Bus Station
- Auto: Autos are readily available. However there are no fixed rates, so do fix the price before boarding. The prices are subject to bargaining
- App Taxi & Bike: Red Taxis and Rapido Bikes are readily available
See
Parks
- 1 VOC parkCategory:Has map markers (near Gandhipuram). The park includes a zoo and a children's park. Evening is the best time to visit the park. Nehru Stadium is nearby and also there are few small playgrounds for basketball, tennis, badminton, etc. Adult ₹3, child ₹2.
Museums
- 2 GD MuseumsCategory:Has map markers (in Avinashi Road). (Daily 9AM to 6:30PM. Closed on Monday. Also closed on Republic Day, May Day & Independence day). Interesting collection of inventions by G.D. Naidu, who is also referred as the Edison of India. The complex houses three museums: Experimenta Science Centre, Gedee Car Museum and GD Science Museum. The Museums are located in the same complex and has separate tickets. The museum also offers a ticket combo. Combined Tickets: Combo A (Gedee Car Museum + GD Science Museum): Adult (above 18 years): ₹175, Child (5 - 17 years): ₹80 Below 5 years: Free. There is discoint for group (min 20 & max 30) booking. Combo B (Experimenta Science Museum + GD Science Museum): Adult (above 18 years): ₹300, Child (5 - 17 years): ₹170 Below 5 years: Free. There is discoint for group (min 20 & max 30) booking.
- 3 Gedee Car MuseumCategory:Has map markers. The museum was founded by GD Gopal in 2015 as a commemoration of his late father, Gopalswamy Doraiswamy Naidu. Tickets: Adult (above 18 years): ₹125, Child (5 - 17 years): ₹70 Below 5 years: Free. There is discoint for group (min 20 & max 30) booking.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesGD Science MuseumCategory:Has map markers. Interesting science experiments. There are the History of Industrialisation in Coimbatore exhibition and an old motor bike which G.D.Naidu learned to assemble from a British officer after which he became interested in engineering. A gift shop is attached with the museum, where one can buy interesting toys from Germany. It is appropriate for children. Tickets: Adult (above 18 years): ₹75, Child (5 - 17 years): ₹30 Below 5 years: Free. There is discoint for group (min 20 & max 30) booking.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesExperimenta Science CentreCategory:Has map markers. The museum aims to stimulate curiosity, develop an inquiring mind and enable children & adults to learn science in an informal and fun-filled manner. There are a variety of interactive exhibits and exciting tasks to amaze and thrill the audience. Tickets: Adult (above 18 years): ₹250, Child (5 - 17 years): ₹150 Below 5 years: Free. There is discoint for group (min 20 & max 30) booking.
- 4 Gass Forest MuseumCategory:Has map markers, Forest College Campus. Natural history museum with exhibits and artifacts related to forests and their wildlife. It is housed in a heritage building, which is more than 100 years old. The museum was established in 1902 by H.A. Gass, the then Conservator of Forests of Coimbatore circle. His comprehensive collection was part of the display. The building dates back to 1915 and was built in Gothic style. There are about 10000 exhibits on display at the Gass Forest Museum. The exhibits on display at the museum cover various disciplines in science and geography like botany, zoology, geology etc. A stuffed full-grown Indian gaur is a prime exhibit. It has several stuffed animals, including a collection of over 1200 insects. The museum also exhibits non-forest items, which include a million-year-old meteorite.
Places of worship
Temples
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesAnjeneyar KovilCategory:Has map markers, Esso Bunk, Peelamedu. This temple was constructed in one of the calmest localities. It is peaceful and is open in the morning till noon, and opens again from 5PM for public. Don't miss the various alangaarams done for the God.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesAnubhavi Subramaniar TempleCategory:Has map markers, Chinna Thadagam. This temple has a natural outflow, which spouts water all through the year. For this reason, the temple is quite popularly known and people never fail to make their visit. There are hundreds of steps to get to the temple, and no mechanical help available. This place is frequented by elephants and hence do not plan to visit the temple during evening hours. Don't forget to visit the Lalithambikai temple situated at its foothills.
- Asia's biggest statue of Lord Ganesha temple in Puliakulam.
- 5 Eachanaari Vinayaga TempleCategory:Has map markers (Arul Migu Eachanari Vineyagar Temple), Pollachi road.
- 6 Marudhamalai Murugan TempleCategory:Has map markers, Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Thirukoil (15 km north west of Coimbatore), ☏ +91 422 2422490. A huge temple complex, at least 1200 years old, on a picturesque hill.
- Perur Pateeswarar Temple (Tamil: அருள்மிகு பட்டீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at Perur.
- Sri Naga Sai Temple in Sai Baba colony Matupaliyam Road (the oldest Sai Baba temple in south India)
- Sri Ranganathar temple in Karamadai,
- Then Thiruppathi is near Mettupalayam.
- Velliengiri hills and temple are famous and historic, which is also known as South Kailash.
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.
Mosques
- 7 Athar Jamad MasjidCategory:Has map markers (Athar Jamaath Masjid) (in Big Bazaar Street). A famous hundred-year-old mosque.
Churches
- 8 Infant Jesus ChurchCategory:Has map markers, Kovaipudur. Here, devotees throng on Thursdays to attend the Novena.
Do
- There are three good water theme parks. The entry fees are ₹800 to 1000 for adults, while children get a discount of ₹100-300 per head.
- Category:Do listing with no coordinatesBlack ThunderCategory:Has map markers (near Ooty foot hills).
- Category:Do listing with no coordinatesKovai KondattamCategory:Has map markers (en route to Siruvani Dam).
- Category:Do listing with no coordinatesIsha Yoga Center CoimbatoreCategory:Has map markers, Velliangiri Foothills, Ishana Vihar Post (about 35 km from Coimbatore, 1 hour's drive without traffic), ☏ +91 83000 83111, info@ishafoundation.org. This yoga centre is an ashram in the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains beside the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Visitors can participate in yoga programmes and ceremonies in the temples. The centre is set in 150 acres of thick forest. Includes a Shiva temple and the Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple.
- 1 Race CourseCategory:Has map markers. A place for food and recreation. Ideal for morning and evening walk. There are various installations, which include the Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Red Fort and many more. A traffic island on the southern side houses a statue of a racing horse complete with a jockey.
Buy
ATMs are available throughout the city, with most concentrated in the commercial areas like R.S.Puram, Trichy Road and Avanashi Road.
Shopping in Coimbatore is concentrated in the areas of RS Puram, Cross-Cut Road and the Town Hall Area (Oppanakara St, Big Bazaar St, Raja St). Coimbatore, known as the Manchester of South India, is famous for textiles. Shops sell Kanchivaram, Benares and designer sarees at Cross-Cut Road. Coimbatore is also known for its numerous jewellery stores situated along Cross-Cut Road and Town Hall Area. Lee, Arrow, United Colors of Benetton, Levi’s, Reebok, Adidas, Puma, Crocodile, etc. have retail outlets in D.B. Road. There are several huge textile showrooms in the city (RmKV, Pothys, The Chennai Silks, Shree Devi Textiles, Sri Ganapathy silks, Kalyan Sarees, PSR Silks) that sell ethnic wear for the whole family.
Brookefields Mall in Brooke Bond Road is the biggest shopping mall in Coimbatore has branded shops for cloths, apparels, foot wears, eateries (including KFC), cloth showrooms (RmKV), etc. It has a six-screen multiplex cinema.
Nilgiris is South India’s leading chain of retail stores. They have an outlets in R.S. Puram and at Trichy Road. They stock most of the up-market food items like frozen and tinned foods, offering a wide range of grocery, general merchandise and personal-care products. They also offer Gouda, Colby, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Havarti, Feta, Haloumi and Camembert cheeses made by Acres Wild Cheesemaking Farm[dead link]Category:Articles with dead external links, which is in Coonoor.
Sri Krishna Sweets specializes in Indian sweets and is famous for its Mysurpa (a sweet made from lentil flour and ghee).
Eat
When visiting Coimbatore, taste the food and "Siruvani Water". Coimbatore is an ideal stop to rest while on the way to Ooty, Bangalore or Kerala. Sample the best of South Indian idlis, dosas, vada, chutney and vegetarian rice meal from the Annapoorna Chain of Veg Restaurants, Shree Anandhaas Chain of Veg Restaurants, Aaryaas Veg Restaurant and non-vegetarian food from Kovai Biriyani Hotel, Angannan's, Anjappar, Sampoorna, Rayappas and Thalappas restaurants. Try Krishna Sweets, too, the sweets chain started in this town. Western coffee pubs and fast food outlets Subway, Domino's, Pizza Hut, Baskin Robbins, Marry Brown, Barista, Cafe Coffee Day, and Boomerang are present, too.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesAjmirCategory:Has map markers, Near TownHall ManiKundu. Serves excellent mutton (beef) and chicken. Don't forget to taste their mutta poriyal and chicken fry that is great. It offers beef and chicken dishes. ₹250.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesBrookfields PlazaCategory:Has map markers, Brookbond road, R.S.Puram. Has everything from dresses to food like KFC, Rmkv, lifestyle, reliance trends.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesChina townCategory:Has map markers, Nehru stadium in the road between the park gate (ParkGate Ground it will be on a thalluvandi). Only in the evening. Serves excellent Chinese items like chili pork, dragon chicken, and their lumpfu soup ₹400 for two.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesDhabasCategory:Has map markers. Dhabas are famous in Coimbatore. They have a variety of foods and attached bars. There are many dhabas in Coimbatore. There was a dhaba near Maharaja World and one near Ramani's Mayuri, Chinnavedampatti. Most of the bars have individual huts accommodating about ten patrons apiece. They are evening hangouts.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesFour seasonCategory:Has map markers, Non sakthi highway at karattumedu. Only in the evening till midnight. Serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and beer; it is nice for parties. Try the Kerala chicken kudal. price ₹300 for two.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesFUN RepublicCategory:Has map markers, peelamedu, near krishnamal college. Has Coimbatore's first McDonald's restaurant.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesHari BavanCategory:Has map markers, RTO Road & Gandhipuram 4th Street & SO Bunk, Peelamedu. Serves nonvegetarian food. At lunch there are four types of gravy (fish, mutton, chicken and Nattu Kolli). Try the karandi (omelette) and their side dish. Available only for lunch.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesHotel Blue BerryCategory:Has map markers (I), Opposite VLB Arts College, Kovaipudur., ☏ +91 9952566746. 8AM to 10PM. Specialist in biriyani (mutton, chicken and fish). Serves a variety of nonvegetarian curries. Takes function orders and entertains home deliveries. Chettinad and Chengudu Chicken are standouts. Price ₹200 for two.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesHotel Muthu RowtherCategory:Has map markers (HMR), Athupalam, Ukkadam (Fort) (Walkable from Ukkadam Bus stand, next to Athpalam bus stop). Morning, afternoon, evening. Excellent place for non-vegetarians. The best dishes are Beef Biryani and Beef Chukka. ₹100-200.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesKentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)Category:Has map markers, R.S.Puram. This is crowded. There is a branch in Brooke Fields Mall, also.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesPaati Amma Dosai KadaiCategory:Has map markers, Near Gem Hospital or Archana Darchana Theater Gandhi Park (go via Senthil Hospital in Gandhi Park). only in evening and night. Serves a wide variety of dosas and sevai like chola,kambu, tomato, ragi, cauliflower, mushroom, babycorn, panner dosai and seva. Don't forget to order butter appam yummy. ₹250 for 2.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesSeasonsCategory:Has map markers, under SKC, R S Puram. Offers cheap, healthy vegetarian food. The corn and spinach sandwich and all fruit juices are good. It's usually crowded. The ice cream is so nice.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesThe VillageCategory:Has map markers, Near Gem Hospital or archana darchana theater GandhiPark (go via senthil hospital in gandhi park). only in evening and night. Serves a wide variety of dosas and sevai like chola, kambu, tomato, ragi, cauliflower, mushroom, babycorn, paneer dosai and seva. Order the delicious muttai chappathi. ₹250 for 2.
Drink
Liquor cannot be found in the department stores or malls. It is regulated by the state government of Tamil Nadu and available through retail outlets controlled by state-owned body TASMAC and in some star hotels and bars. These shops usually close around 22:00, and it is hard to find an overnight party house in the city.
Siruvani water in Coimbatore is considered one of the tastiest natural unprocessed waters on the planet.
Sleep
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | Under ₹ 750 |
| Mid-range | ₹750-3,000 |
| Splurge | Over ₹ 3,000 |
Budget
There are many budget hotels near the railway station and bus stand with single rooms between ₹150-350/day.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesDunag Springs Service ApartmentsCategory:Has map markers (Dunag Springs), 12/24 Dunag Springs, Padmanabha Nagar, Civil Aerodrome, SITRA (200 m from Coimbatore Airport), ☏ +91 4399031-32, +91 9952431081. 29 furnished apartments at three locations (Airport, Nehru Nagar, Ramanathapuram) in town on daily rental. Wifi enabled 25-seat, air-conditioned conference hall & gym facility available with in-house pantry service. From ₹125.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesGuestlines Service ApartmentsCategory:Has map markers, Sivaram Nagar, Sungam bye pass road,Coimbatore, ☏ +91 4222302280. 15 fully furnished rooms with free Wi-Fi and gym. Guestlines is just about 1.5 km from the Coimbatore railway station. ₹2000.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesHotel City TowerCategory:Has map markers, 56 Sivasamy Road, ☏ +91 422 2230641. standard A/C double room ₹1250, deluxe A/C double ₹1500.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesKanimani lodgeCategory:Has map markers, 427, 100 Feet Road Gandhipuram Coimbatore (opposite to karpagam complex), ☏ +91-0422-2526343, +91-0422-3042525. Near bus stand, five minutes walk to cross cut road. Well maintained and good service.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesKiscol GrandCategory:Has map markers, # 245A, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road,Tatabad, Gandipuram, ☏ +91 422 4555999, +91 8508664444 (mobile). Breakfast, dinner or lunch. 24 hr Wi-Fi, 2-way airport transfers, fruit basket & cookie platter on arrival. Automated massage chair.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesRailway Retirement RoomCategory:Has map markers, inside railway station. ₹175.
Splurge
There any many 4- and 5-star hotels in Coimbatore, including:
- 1 Aloft Coimbatore SinganallurCategory:Has map markers, 483 Kamaraj Road, ☏ +91 422 665 6000.
- 2 Jenneys ResidencyCategory:Has map markers, 2/2, Avinashi Road, ☏ +91 422 433 5777.
- 3 Le Méridien CoimbatoreCategory:Has map markers, 762 Avinashi Road, ☏ +91 422 236 4343.
- 4 The Residency CoimbatoreCategory:Has map markers, 1076, Avinashi Road, ☏ +91 42222 41414, resvcbe@theresidency.com.
- 5 Vivanta by Taj - SuryaCategory:Has map markers, 105, Race Course Road, ☏ +91 422 668 1000.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesZIBE by GRT CoimbatoreCategory:Has map markers, 427/2B, Avinashi Rd, Peelamedu, ☏ +91 422 452 9999.
- Radisson BluCategory:Has map markers, No. 164-165, Avinashi Road Peelamedu, ☏ +91 422 2226000, sujith.herbert@radisson.com. From ₹4,400 per person per night.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesFairfield by Marriott CoimbatoreCategory:Has map markers, 469/2B Airport Road, ☏ +91 422 664 4300. From ₹4,165 per person per night.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesibis Coimbatore City Centre HotelCategory:Has map markers, Lakshmi Mills Junction Puliakulam Road, ☏ +91 4227117666, h8096-re@accor.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. From ₹2429 plus tax of ₹438 per night per person.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesWelcomHotel Coimbatore by ITCCategory:Has map markers, 1266/14, West Club Road, Race Course Area, ☏ +91 42 2222 6555, reservations@itchotels.in. From ₹4,590 per person per night.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesHotel Chenthur ParkCategory:Has map markers, 10/ 1-9 Avinashi Road (near the airport), ☏ +91 422 4279111, +91 422 427333, +91 98422-76111. From RS 2750 plus taxes per day.
Cope
Stay safe
Coimbatore is safer than other cities in Tamil Nadu. Beware of pickpockets at bus stands. While travelling by bus, keep your valuables safe.
Go next
Picnic spots
- Coimbatore is surrounded by hill ranges and hence several picnic spots for day trips exist. Some of them are: Kovai Kutrallam waterfalls (45 km), Monkey falls (75 km), Athikadavu stream (40 km), Kallar river banks (55 km), Topslip town (90 km), Malampuzha dam (60 km), Thirumurthy waterfalls near Udumalpet(65 km), Dhyanalinga Yogic temple and Isha Yoga centre (35 km), Velliangiri hill temple (37 km), Marudhamalai hill temple (20 km), Vydehi waterfalls (35 km), Bhavani Sagar (55 km), Kodiveri (75 km) and Karunya (32 km). 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.
Other places
- Mysore, a city of palaces and gardens.
- Botanical Garden opposite to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, on the way to Marudhamalai temple.
- Crocodile Park in Amaravathi is near Udumalpet (65 km). There is also a dam nearby.
- Hill stations are Ooty (80 km), Valparai near Pollachi has sightseeing and picnic spots, Kodaikanal (180 km).
- Sanctuaries are Mudumalai Wild Life Sanctuary(150 km), Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary (100 km), Top Slip.
- Silent Valley national park inside Kerala is one hour's drive from Coimbatore.
- Tea plantations at Ooty or Munnar. Category:Western Tamil NaduCategory:All destination articles