History

Coimbatore is the third largest city in Tamilnadu, With a population of more than 15 lakhs. There are more than 30,000 tiny small, medium and large industries and textile mills. The city is known for its entrepreneurship of its residents. The climate is comfortable round the year.

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. 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 is known today, except in Tamil, in which it is called Kovai.

The rich black soil of the region has contributed to Coimbatore's flourishing agriculture industry and, it is in fact, the successful growth of cotton has served as a foundation for the establishment of its famous textile industry.

There are more than 25,000 small, medium, large scale industries and textile mills. Coimbatore is also famous for the manufacture of motor pump sets and varied engineering goods, due to which it has earned the title " Detroit of the South". The Development of Hydro electricity from the Pykara Falls in the 1930s led to a cotton boom in Coimbatore. The result has been a strong economy and a reputation as one of the greatest industrial cities in South India.

According to ancient manuscripts, Coimbatore's history can be traced to the Irula tribal chief Kovan and his clan who were it's earliest settlers and the founders of "Kovanpatti " a part of Kongunadu . Years later, the surrounding forests were cleared, and a new village was formed called "Kovanputhur", which over the years came to be known as "Coimbatore".

In spite of it's prominence as a bustling industrial city, Coimbatore still remains one of the most pollution free cities in India. Covering an area of  23.5 square kilometers, the city houses some of the biggest names in Indian Industry. The major industries include textiles, textile machinery, automobile spares, motors, electronics, steel and aluminium foundries. Tirupur - a neighbouring town has carved a niche for itself in the garments market. Agriculture however remains the major occupation. The rich fertile soil and tropical climate is excellent for the growth of millet, paddy, cotton, tea, oil seeds and tobacco.

The city is also known for it's educational institutions. Coimbatore Agricultural University is renowned as one of the best colleges of it's kind in South Asia. In spite of it's industrial and technological growth, traditions and age old customs are still held in high esteem. The temples bear witness to the religiousness and love of art and architecture of the people. There are also a number of places of tourist interest around Coimbatore. Ootacamund (Ooty for short), is one of the most popular tourist spots in India.

Festivals

The Mariamman festivals, at the city's numerous Amman temples, is a major event in summer. This is one of the most popular festivals celebrated along with Koniamman temple car festival. Car festivals at the Karamadai temple and The famous Avinashi temple attract a large attendance.

Traditional Hindu festivals like Pongal, Deepavali are major events. Ayudha pooja is an important festival. All commercial establishments are cleaned, painted, machines and vehicles washed, concluding with a pooja. Other religious occasions like Ramzan and Christmas are also observed by the city.

Culture

India's southernmost Tamilnadu state is habitated with India's oldest civilizations, the Dravidians, who pretty much escaped the Mughal influence that permeated so much of the cultural development in the north. Ruled predominantly by the powerful Chola, Pallava, and Pandyan dynasties, Dravidian culture flourished for more than a thousand years, developing a unique political and social hierarchy. Green and lush Coimbatore located in the western part of Tamilnadu is one of the best Indian industrial cities due to its climate and availability of resources. It is also turned out to be the gateway to some of the region's best attractions, like near by Ooty and Kodaikanal which are one the best tourist places of India.

The people of Coimbatore are known for their hospitality, well educated and are very polite. The city is a multicultural society with large Tamil speaking community. As the city shares its boundary with Kerala and Karnataka, a large number of Kerlaites and Kannada speaking people are also present. Apart from those, many other people like Badagas, Rajasthanis and Gujaratis are also found in large number. Most of the people are here because of the growth in industrial sector and availability of high class education.

Food

The major food is rice and vegetarian based spicy south Indian dishes. Most of the restaurants serve generally consists of boiled rice, idly, dosa, pongal etc. North Indian foods like chappathi, roti, biriyani, naan are also available in most restaurants and eateries. Coimbatore also has few Chinese restaurants, continental food restaurants and fast food restaurants.

Education

Coimbatore has been a major center for higher education from the early 18th century. Coimbatore has an Agricultural University, several Government and private engineering colleges, two medical colleges and a number of science and arts colleges. The most famous is the Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Kumaraguru College of Technology and PSG College of Technology whose annual Design Data Book is said to be the engineering industry's bible.

Entertainment

Cinema, shopping and carting are popular recreational activities. There is a golf club on the Pollachi Highway at Chettipalayam. The Kari Motor Speedway is a racing heaven for auto sport enthusiasts. The Kasturi Srinivasan Cultural Center exhibits rare arts and also has a textile museum. The G.D.Naidu Industrial exhibition at Avinashi Road is of great interest.

Corporation

The city of Coimbatore was constituted as Municipality in the year 1866. Subsequently from 1981 it was constituted as a City Municipal Corporation. It has a population of 11 Lakhs (2001 census) and an extent of 105.5Sq. Km., the city is divided into 72 wards and these wards are grouped into four Zonal Ward Committees.

Basic amenities like road, water and drainage system are well maintained by the City Municipal Corporation. The Corporation is maintaining 66 km length of Concrete roads, 580km of metal and other roads. The National and State Highway department is maintaining 72km roads in side the Corporation limit.

Services

There are 11 allopathic Dispensaries, 3 Ayurveda and 2 Siddha Dispensaries and 20 Urban Health Posts and 2 Maternity Center catering free service to the poor. In all the above dispensaries Minor ailments are treated with qualified Medical Officers and Para Medical Staff. Medicines are supplied to the needy patients free of cost in these Dispensaries free. Leprosy eradication is done in these centers by identifying affected person and free course of medicine supplied to these patients.

Air

Coimbatore has a domestic airport which has regular flights from Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Sharjah. Air Sahara, Indian Airlines, Air Deccan and Jet Airways operate flights out of Coimbatore Airport. Coimbatore Airport is approximately 10 kilometers from the center of the city.

Rail

Coimbatore is well connected with near by state capitals and cities in the country through a well laid out railway network. Coimbatore is a major railway junction on the Southern Railways and has trains to Chennai, Rameswaram, Madurai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kanyakumari, Kozhikode, Mettupalayam, Kochi and Delhi. In India, most of the express and mail trains have facilities of air conditioned comfort.

Road

Coimbatore is well connected through a network of national/ State highways. State roadways buses regularly play from Coimbatore to various towns and cities. Coimbatore is connected by road with all major places in South India. For local transportation, city buses, taxis and auto rickshaws are available. State Transport Corporation plays mini luxury coaches between various points in the city and airport.

More information can be obtained from Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) a Government run agency located at Coimbatore Railway station and near Gandhipuram Bus Stand. The telephone numbers are 0422-2236311 and 2302177. We wish you a safe and comfortable travel in Coimbatore . Happy journey.

Gentral Information