List of tourist attractions in Coimbatore
Coimbatore (pronounced [kɔəjmbaːʈɔrɪ]), also known as Kovai, pronounced [kɔʋaːəj] ), is the second largest Metropolitan city and urban agglomeration in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is the capital city in the Kongu Naduregion and is often been referred to as the Manchester of South India. The city is located on the banks of the Noyyal River surrounded by the Western Ghats.
Coimbatore is one of the fastest growing tier-II cities in India and a major Textile, Industrial, Commercial, Educational, Information technology, healthcare and manufacturing hub of Tamil Nadu. Other important industries include software services.[1] Coimbatore has been ranked 4th among Indian cities in investment climate by CII[2] and ranked 17th among the top global outsourcing cities by Tholons.[3] Coimbatore is the fourth largest metropolis in South India. Coimbatore city is administrative capital of Coimbatore district.
Attractions
Parks
- TNAU Botanical Gardens - The Botanical garden at at Coimbatore. It was established in the year 1925 and administered by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). The botanical garden is spread over 300 hectares and has many varieties of plants, flowers and trees. It is a colorful treat for the eyes and very popular.[4]
Government buildings
- Town Hall - It is a heritage building in Coimbatore city. It was built in 1882 in honor of Queen Victoria, with stone and lime mortar. It is now part of the Coimbatore Corporation Administrative Buildings. It has more than 3000 Sq feet built up area, a high ceiling, paneled shutters for the windows and timber trusses covered with Mangalore tiles for the roofing.
Museums
- Gass Forest Museum - A museum for forestry established in the year 1902 by the then conservator of Forests, Horace Arichibald Gass. It houses rare species of plants.
- G.D. Naidu Museum - It has an excellent collection of various scientific devices and gadgets. It has collection of inventions by Gopalswamy Doraiswamy Naidu who is also referred as Edison of India. A must visit for all science history enthusiasts. One can also see the history of Industrialization in Coimbatore. 8 AM to 4.30 PM on all days except on Sundays. Entrance is free.
- Government Museum showcases that many artifacts.
- Ancient Industrial Artifacts Museum is located off Nanjundapuram road. Artefacts from the Old and New Stone Age are displayed. Priced collections include stone tools and gigantic "burial urns" from that era. The dead were placed in the urn along with their favourite objects and buried. The museum also houses antiquities excavated from Boluvampatti (copper bangles, stone beads), Vellalur and Perur (coins, jewellery & shell bangles). Another rare artefact is the stone slab inscription from Udumalpet that lists the rules and regulations to be followed as per the king's order.
- Gandhi Museum
- Regional Science Center is a Science Park spread over 6.71 acres (near road leading to CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex). The 5,000 sq.ft. textile gallery showcasing the textile industry's evolution, a 5,000 sq ft Fun Science Gallery on 5,000 sq ft, A 3D theatre for children, a giant globe and a portable mini planetarium.[5]
Galleries
- Kasthuri Sreenivasan Art Gallery is an art gallery in Coimbatore.
Nature
- Noyyal river - The township of Coimbatore once was surrounded by the Noyyal river and its canals, tanks, and rivulets. The Noyyal river and its interconnected tank and canal system, believed to have been originally built by the Chalukya Cholas kings.
- Siruvani Waterfalls and dam - is located 49 km from Coimbatore city. The dam was built in the year 1927. The reservoir at Siruvani was built for Tamil Nadu by the Kerala Government to meet the drinking water requirements of Coimbatore city.
- Vaideki Falls is a waterfall situated in the outskirts of Coimbatore city about 35 km from Coimbatore.
- Sengupathi Falls is located 35 km (22 mi) from Coimbatore.
- Lakes in Coimbatore - Coimbatore has 9 lakes. These lakes include Valankulam Lake, Krishnampatti Lake, Singanallur Lake, Seevagasintamani Lake, Kuruchi Lake and Muthannan Lake amongst others.[6]
Wildlife
- Birds of Coimbatore - Coimbatore's lakes are home to over 125 species of resident and migratory birds. Some of the migratory bird species include Ibis, Painted Stork, Teal, Black-winged Stilt, Open Billed Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Spot-billed Duck are a few species of the migratory visitors. The peak season is between August and October.
- VOC Park and Zoo - The amusement park has an aquarium and mini zoo, housing varied forms of aquatic and animal life. It also has models of dinosaurs, Golf swing, a Toy Train and a safari, The park is named after famous freedom fighter, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai.
Places of worship
Temples
- Marudamalai Murugan temple - It is a very famous 12th century temple of Lord Muruga located 15 Km from Coimbatore.
- Dharmaraya Swamy Temple located in OTC Road, Tigalarapet is famous for the annual Karaga festival that is 800 years old.
- Perur Patteeswarar Temple
- Konniamman temple
- Thandu Mariamman temple
- Vazhai Thottathu Ayyan temple
- Echanaari Ganesh temple
- Karamadai temple,
- Panchamuga Anjaneya Temple (Hanuman with 5 Faces)
- Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple.
Churches
- CSI Immanuel Church - is one of the oldest churches in Coimbatore. Is is located on Avanashi road. It was established in the year 1830 and is over 180 years old.[7]
- Christian missions date back to 1647 when permission was granted by the Nayak rulers to set up a small church in Karumathampatti 12 km. It was destroyed by Tipu Sultan’s army resulting in a new church in 1804.
- Infant Jesus church was established in 1831 is one of the famous church in kovaipudur,coimbatore.
Sports
- Kari Motor Speedway - Kari Motor Speedway is a purpose built auto racing circuit or race track, located in Orratukuppai, Chettipalayam. The track's length is 3.2 km. It was inaugurated in the year 2003 in memory of former forumula race driver S. Karivardha. it is Coimbatore's first and the India's second modern racing circuit.[8]
- Coimbatore Golf Club - The Golf Club is a 18 hole golf course located in Chettipalayam in Coimbatore. The club is also a popular venue for major Golf Tournaments.[9][10]
- Kovai Hills Golf Academy (KHGA) is a Golf Academy is part of Kovai Hills, a 1000-acre fully integrated golf-centric township that also has a 18-hole par-72 championship golf course designed by David Hemstock. It is India’s first Golf Academy with a 9 hole Par 3 golf course.[11]
Amusement parks
- Black Thunder is a Water Theme Park is located near Mettupalayam, 40 km north of Coimbatore city. The park is spread over 65 acres and offers over 49 rides. It is located 40 km from Coimbatore on the Ooty main Road,[12] The park is surrounded by natural beauty of the Nilgiris hills.
- Kovai Kondattam is an amusement park located at Siruvani main road,Kalampalyam.
- Maharaja Theme Park is a theme park with multiplex situated at Neelampur , Avanashi main Road.
Shopping
Around Coimbatore
- Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park - It is a protected area located in the Anaimalai Hills of Pollachi, Valparai and Udumalpet taluks of Coimbatore District and Tirupur District. The Park and the Sanctuary is under consideration by UNESCO as part of The Western Ghats World Heritage site. it is numerous species of animals (including 5 endangered species), 250 species of birds and 315 species of butterflies.
See also
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Visitor attractions in Coimbatore.
- ^ "Press Information Bureau: Government of India news site". Pibmumbai.gov.in. 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2013-01-31.
- ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Google. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- ^ "Indian cities among global outsourcing cities". The Economic Times. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- ^ A. A. Michael Raj (11-Feb-2005). "TNAU Botanic Gardens gets a facelift". The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ V. S., Palaniappan (12-April-2012). "Regional Science Park inauguration in May". Coimbatore. The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Eight Coimbatore lakes to get commercial touch-up". Coimbatore. TNN. Mar 16, 2012. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
- ^ Staff reporter (Jan 27, 2005). "Prayers mark church's 175th anniversary". The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
- ^ "To Kari, With Love". Coimbatore. The Hindu. 01-Dec-2003. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Rozario, Rayan (Feb 02, 2011). "Coimbatore gears up for golf championship". Coimbatore. The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Principal Correspondent (Jul 28, 2010). "Coimbatore Golf Club gets a new 'home'". Coimbatore. The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
- ^ Rozario, Rayan (25-Jun-2011). "Kovai Hills Golf Academy plans big". Coimbatore. The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Black Thunder sizzles with Exciting Attractions!". Coimbatore. The Hindu. Sep 27, 2007. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
