The third largest city of the
state, Coimbatore, the headquarters of a district of the same name, is one of
the most industrialised cities in Tamil Nadu. Known as the textile capital of
South India or the Manchester of the South, the city is situated on the banks
of the river Noyyal. 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, its name was changed to Coimbatore and it is by this name
that it is known today, except in Tamil, in which it is called Kovai.
Located in the shadow of the Western ghats, Coimbatore enjoys a very pleasant
climate the year round, aided by the fresh breeze that flows in through the
25 kms long Palakkad gap. The rich black soil of the region has contributed
to Coimbatore's flourishing agriculture industry and, it is in fact that the
successful growth of cotton that served as a foundation for the establishment
of its famous textile industry. The first textile mills came up as far back
as 1888 but there are now over a hundred mills. The result has been a strong
economy and a reputation as one of the greatest industrial cities in South
India.
Coimbatore serves as an entry and exit point to neighbouring Kerala and the
ever popular hill station of Udagamandalam(Ooty). It is the disembarking point
for those who want to take the Mountain train that runs from Mettupalayam, just
35 kms from Coimbatore. There are also regular bus services from Coimbatore
to Ooty.
Places to See :
Perur Temple, this Temple is 7 kms from Coimbatore Railway Station and was constructed
by Karikal Cholan over 1500 years ago. There are shrines to the presiding deity
Patteeswarar and his consort Pachainayaki and some elegantly carved sculptures
in the Kanagasabai hall. Devotees flock to this temple in hundreds during the
Panguni Uthiram festival which is celebrated in March every year.
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Excursions in Coimbatore
: Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, this Sanctuary is situated at an altitude
of 1,400 metres 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.
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