Coimbatore or Kovai as the natives call it, is an anglicised derivation of Kovanputhur, after the Irula King Kovan who was the noble leader of an Irula tribe that lived in the densely forested regions of Coimbatore back in 800 AD. Coimbatore is one of the major tourist hubs of Tamil Nadu. The city that is encircled by the luxuriant Western Ghats and the Noyyal River and has the Siruvani River meandering in and out of the region is known for its industries and tourist places that attract both pilgrims and holiday makers who make a beeline for the woods that offer several adrenaline pumping adventures and beautiful locales for shutterbugs.
Coimbatore is also a popular destination for medical tourism with a large number of patients coming in from most Asian and African countries. The icing on the cake is the fact that there are several hill stations like Valparai, Coonoor, Kotagiri, Ootacamund and Topslip just a few hours’ drive away from Coimbatore, ideal for a weekend getaway. If you would love to visit Coimbatore, our travel guide will help you plan a great trip.
Coimbatore has an easy access by air, rail or by road, with a good connectivity with the rest of the country. The best way to reach Coimbatore would be by air.
By Air:
Coimbatore International Airport flies domestic airlines to most major cities and international flights to Singapore, Sri Lanka and UAE. The city offers a good transport system from the airport to the rest of the city.
By Rail:
There are several trains lugging into Coimbatore from across the country. You can hire a cab or auto rickshaw from outside the station to reach the city centre.
By Road:
There is a good choice of buses to Coimbatore from neighbouring states and cities. There are regular and luxury sleeper buses to choose from so you can travel in comfort.
Getting Around:
There are local intracity buses you can use and you will also find plenty of cabs, and mobile based taxis. Almost every main street corner would have a tuk tuk stand and you could also hail a passing tuk tuk. There are also share autos and two wheelers on hire.
Coimbatore has a good climate throughout the year, that is neither too hot nor too cold. But the perfect weather for tourism would be in winter.
Summer (March-May):
Summers are moderately hot, with the weather turning cooler as the sun sets. Summer is a good time to visit the hill stations round Coimbatore.
Monsoon (June-November):
Coimbatore receives moderate to heavy rainfall from the southwest and northwest monsoon. Travel and sightseeing might be cumbersome due to the rains.
Winter (November-February):
Days are mild and pleasant, with occasional showers in December. Waterfalls are gorged with monsoon rains, the lakes are full and abound with birds and the region looks flushed and fresh.
Visit Parambikulam Tiger Reserve:
Go trekking, bamboo rafting or on a jungle safari in the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in the Southern Western Ghats in Kerala, at about 80 km from Coimbatore.
Sulur Venkatanathan Peruman Temple:
Dating back to the 10th century Chola period, this beautiful temple for Vishnu has a Nandi facing the sanctum and devotees are offered Thulsi leaves and pepper pods as Prasad. The temple is in Sulur, about 20 km from Coimbatore.
Art Gallery and Textile Museum:
The Art and Textile Museum at Kasturi Sreenivasan Art Gallery provides an apt esteem to Coimbatore, with a captivating exhibit of the evolution of cloth making from the days of Mohenjo Daro to the present, with types of Indian handlooms inclusive of banana and pineapple fibres. Visit the art gallery section which displays the ancient to modern art forms from around the world.
Aanaimalai Tiger Reserve:
Go for a trek or safari at the Aanaimalai Tiger Reserve of Pollachi and Valparai in Coimbatore district. Apart from the smaller denizens of the forest, you might spot Royal Bengal Tigers, elephants or leopards. Tamil Nadu Forest Department provides accommodation within the Reserve. Check out the Kozhikamudi Elephant Camp.
Sugreeveshwara Temple:
The Sugreeveshwara Temple for Shiva, said to belong to the times of the Pandya reign of the 5th century, is worth a visit. Check out the mythological story behind the two Nandhis facing the sanctum, and the ancient sculptures and inscriptions on the walls. The temple is at Sarcar Periyapalayam, 8 km from Tiruppur which is about 55 km from Coimbatore.
Amaravathi Sagar Crocodile Farm:
The Crocodile Farm founded in 1976 is said to be the largest Crocodile Nursery in India. The Farm is just a little away from the Amaravathi Dam. You’d find clutches of crocs basking in the sun near the reservoir.
Maasaniamman Temple:
The deity of Maasaniamman is a 15 ft long idol of Maasaniamman who lies on the ground, holding a skull, snake, drum and trident in her four hands. Pilgrims grind red chillies and smear the paste on the stone of justice, which is believed to answer their prayers. The temple is about 15 km from Pollachi.
