TRAVELLER

GETTING AROUND TOWN Tour operators, forex, visa assistance, helplines...

Travelling in Coimbatore is painless. With the weather not being as harsh as its distant cousin Chennai, road rage is a rarity here. With autos, taxies and buses available aplenty, your commuting options are well taken care of. With the international airport to take shape by 2014, things can only get better with Kovai (that’s another name for Coimbatore). With well-laid roads and an enviable transport system, your stay in Kovai will be pleasant throughout. With a good mix of forex services, visa assistance, packers and movers, lawyers and chartered accountants, your business visit should be all the more convenient. Have a happy stay.

TOURS & TRAVELS MAKEMYTRIP.COM

551-A, Lokamanya Street (West), DB Road, RS Puram; Tel: 436-5767, 99444-21881. 10am-7pm.

NITHYASREE TRAVELLING

Sidharth Complex, 251/2-4, 6th Street, Gandhipuram: Tel: 90928-62345, 9am-9pm.

OPAL CABS

267, Dr Radha Krishna Road, Tatabad West; Tel: 498-1020, open 24 hours.

PAVAN TOUR & TRAVELS

17, Ramani’s Mayuri, Saravanampatti; Tel: 97894-88009, 9am-9pm.

VISION CAB SERVICES

354 C, Sudheera Complex, 100 Feet Road, Tel: 93456-77737, 98422-77737,10am-6pm.

VELU TOURIST

74, Mariamman Koil Street, Peelamedu, Pudur Tel: 94432-22299, 24 hrs.

KUMAR TOURIST

8, Ansari Street, Ramnagar Tel: 223-0574/ 4545, 7.30am–8.30pm.

KRK TRAVELS

185, Kattoor Street, PN Palayam Tel: 97888-17627.Open 24 hours.

KANNAN TOURS & TRAVELS PVT LTD

1273, Trichy Road Tel: 230-2280/1281, 439-3281, 6.30am–9.30pm.

TRAVEL TIMES (INDIA) PVT LTD

143, 1st Floor, Ashoka Plaza, Dr Nanjappa Road Tel: 97909-33257, 10am-9pm.

CONNECTMYTRIP.COM

167, Sivasakthi Colony, New Sidhapudur; Tel: 436-5959, 9am-9pm.

GIFT INCORP

92, TM House, Thiruvenkataswamy Road, RS Puram; Tel: 497-8001, 80987-97219, 8.30am-8.30pm.

PRICOL TRAVELS

122, Appusamy Layout Road, Ground Floor, Red Fields Tel: 433-2900, 9.30pm-6pm

ASHOK TRAVELS

•733, Avinashi Road, President Hall Tel: 462-3300 25 •25,Subramaniapuram Road,RS Puram; Tel: 247-6726, 9.30am-6pm.

CITY TRAVELS

61, Sivasamy Road, Ram Nagar; Tel: 223-5615, 8am-11pm.

CONTI TRAVELS

814, UMS Building, Avinashi Road; Tel: 230-0735,•Nalla Thaneer Thottam, Ganapathy;Tel: 87540-07783, 6am-11pm.

LOTUS TOURS & TRAVELS

208, East Ramalingam Road,R S Puram; Tel: 438-4583, 9am- 7pm.

MAPS TRAVELS

115-117, Senguptha Street, Ram Nagar; Tel: 223-6549, 9am-6pm.

HELPLINES

Police control room Tel: 100, 230-0970 94981-81213 F ire control room Tel: 101 c ity Police oFFice Tel: 230-0812

ACCIDENT VEHICLE TOWING & RECOVERY

cUPt c ranes Tel: 98431-10433, 98433-20433.

HEARSE VAN

a nnai ambUlance services Tel: 98655-12227, 98432-12226. b alaje ambUlance services Tel: 98438-11111.

CREMATORIUM

a thUPalam Tel: 225-2484, 98946-55009 s aravanamPatti Tel: 266-7070, 96269-59327 100 F eet road Tel: 83443-69222

SUPAA TRAVELS

Sri Ram Mohan Complex, 797C, Sathy Road, Gandhipuram; Tel: 248-2025, 6.30am-11.30pm

GO VACATIONS

109, West Ponnurangam Road, RS Puram; Tel: 90430-37000, 9.30am-6pm.

CALL TAXI T20 CALL TAXI

3, Moogambigai Nagar, Ganapathy; Tel: 78450-02020. Open 24 hours

TAXI TAXI

374, 100 Feet Road, Gandhipuram Tel: 405-0607, 24 hours.

BEST CALL TAXI

520, DB Road, RS Puram Tel: 255-5222, 99521-55555, 24 hrs

JASMINE CALL TAXI

12B1, KK Nagar, EB Colony (via), Ganapathy Tel: 98650-82064, 24 hours.

SMART CABS

A4/198A, BK Ranganathar Street, New Sidhapudur. Tel: 456-7567, 87540-48964, 24 hours.

FAST TRACK

•Site No 3, Avarampalayam Road, Sidhapudur, • Pudhiyavar Nagar Near Ramakrishna Kalyan Mandapam Tel : 220-0000, 288-8999, 24 hrs

COIMBATORE CITY TAXI

No 11 G K illam, Siva Subramanian Nagar, Nehru Nagar West, Civil Aerodrome Post Tel: 98652-77668 24 hrs

RED TAXI

Opp New Police Station, Magatur Towers, Saibaba Kovil Tel: 456-7890 24 hrs

HELLO AUTO

1068, 1st Floor, Shanmugam Complex, Mettupalayam Road; Tel: 98940-22275

CAPITAL CALL TAXI

164, NSR Road, Saibaba Colony; Tel: 245-4444, 97501-55559, open 24 hours.

USED CARS BABU ALANKAR CARS

166, Avarampalayam Road, New Sidhapudur Tel: 93632-01177, 10am-8pm.

SREE VAISHNAVI CARRS

49, 1st Street, Sivanandha Colony, Tel: 249-7400, 98436-76100, 9.30am–7pm.

MANNADIAR CARS

179, B Krishnaswamy Road, RS Puram Tel: 436-8989, 99444-30000, 10am-7pm.

J K CARS

209, KSG Complex, Sasthri Road, Ram Nagar Tel: 98940-97866, 9.30am–9pm.

PRASANA CARS & ELECTRONICS

5, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel: 439-8182, 98422-24811, 9am-7.30pm

TOUR OPERATORS GO WITH US HOLIDAYS with us.in

We’re here to take you there... ® 401, DB Road, RS Puram; Tel: 435-5953, 92444-49449, 10am-7pm. Leading international travel operator company, providing a wide range of comprehensive travel solutions. Flights, holidays, hotels, visa and passport assistance, cruises. Email: info@gowithus.in, Visit: www.gowithus.in

CROSSWOODS HAPPY HOLIDAYS

1st Floor, Fortune Suites, 134, East Periyasamy Road, RS Puram; Tel: 497-5757, 497-4985, 94890-33707

EXPRESS HOLIDAYS

44, Raju Nadu Layout 2, 100 Feet Road, Gandhipuram; Tel: 451-9193, 98947-19193

RAIL INFORMATION

General Enquiry Tel: 131 Reservation Tel: 132 National Train Enquiry System Tel: 139 Main Junction Tel: 230-1301 Podanur Tel: 241-0784 Station Master Tel: 230-1301 Automatic Announcements Tel: 133 Coimbatore North Tel: 249-3019 Podanur Tel: 241-0784 English Tel: 1361 Hindi Tel: 1362 Tamil Tel: 1363

Fast Facts Area : 254 sq kms Population : 42,71,856 Altitude : 411 metres, above sea level Climate : Mild winter and moderate summer Summer : Max 34.7ºC; Min 21.1ºC Winter : Max 32.2ºC; Min 19.2ºC Annual rainfall : 61.22 cms Season : Round the year Rainy season : AUGUST to AUGUST Clothing : Tropical Literacy : 73% Language : Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and English

EMPEROR TRAVELINE

32- A, Bashyakaralu Road East, RS Puram Tel: 450-0600, 9.30am-7pm.

JAI SUN TOURISM PVT LTD

1A, Sambandam Road East, RS Puram Tel: 422-1001, 9am–7pm.

NUFLY TOURS.COM

193, West Ramalingam Road, RS Puram; Tel: 98942-69360, 421-7051. 10am-7pm Established in 2010, it is a one stop shop for all your holiday requirements, specialising in tailor-made itineraries and packages, custom designed and well suited for the seasoned traveller. Services include tours, ticketing, visas. Email: info@ nuflytours.com Visit: nuflytours.com

GOOD LIFE TOURS AND TRAVELS

61/1, Vindra Arcade, West Bashyakarlu Road,

EMPEROR TRAVELINE

32-A/1, Bashyakaralu Road East, RS Puram Tel: 450-0600/ 98431-99699, 98430-66009, 9.30am-7pm.

JAI SUN TOURISM PVT LTD

1A, Sambandam Road East, RS Puram Tel: 422-1001. 9am-7pm.

TRAVEL OPTIONS

210/F, RV Complex, 1st Floor, Bharathiyar Road, Gandhipuram Tel: 438-9856, 98940-33363, 10am-6pm.

VISA SERVICES IN COIMBATORE

Avinashi Road, Hope College; Tel: 99422-72714, 9.30am-7pm.

NUFLY TOURS.COM

193, West Ramalingam Road, RS Puram; Tel: 98942-69360, 10am-7pm

RS Puram; Tel: 98945-78594, 93645-78594, 96551-11233, 437-0009 9.30am-7.30pm.

YASH AIRLINKS PVT LTD

Aishwaria Complex, 196-3, TV Samy Road West, RS Puram Tel: 255-0510, 98941-55553 9am–6.30pm.

CATHRRINE TRAVELS AND TOURS

1055/2, Gowtham Centre, 1st Floor, Avinashi Road, Anna Statue; Tel: 654-4944, 91595-17744, Open 24 hours.

TRIAZ TRAVEL & TOURS

16-B, DB Road, RS Puram; Tel: 495-1999, 97918-51999, 10am-9pm.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HOUSE

WelcomHotel Coimbatore, 1266/14, West Club Road, Race Course; Tel: 99402-24343, open 24 hours.

RIYA TRAVEL

1034 Sai Balaji Square, Bharathiar Road Lakshmi Mills Junction Tel: 613 4023, 9am–7pm

SUPER TRAVELS

87, East Lokamanya Street, RS Puram Tel: 255-2208, 98944-68913, 10am–7.30pm.

NEEMA TOURS & TRAVELS

14, TV Swamy Road East, RS Puram

KODAI KONDATTAM

Tel: 7092862345, 9092862345

Kullu Manali Amritsar Madura Wagah Agra Delhi

PASSPORT OFFICE

Ground Floor, AGT Business Park, 25, Avinashi Road, Civil Aerodrome Post, Tel: 230-1415. Corporation Commercial Complex, First Floor, Avinashi Road Tel: 220-0250, 9.30am-12.30pm.

Tel: 255-2865, 255-5642, 10am–8pm.

FRONTLINE TRAVELS

51/28-Q, 1st Floor, MR Complex, DB Road, RS Puram Tel: 98422-33329, 24 hours

SOUTHERN TRAVELS

206/2, DB Road, RS Puram Tel: 247-0235/36, 72999-23271, 9am-9pm

SOTC FOR HOLIDAYS

141, 1st Floor, DB Road, RS Puram, Tel: 437-0555, 89717-68335, 9am-9pm.

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS SM NAGAPPAN & CO

42 & 43, Sathyamoorthy Road, Ramnagar Tel: 223-8448, 9am-5.30pm..

CA DEVARAJ E

2 A, Kondasamy Naidu Layout, Masakkalipalayam Road, Peelamedu Tel: 94431-01718, 9am-6pm.

L VENKATASUBBU & CO

•163, Oppanakara Street Tel: 239-6697/6135 •Thadagam Road, RS Puram; Tel: 239-6135 10am-6pm.

ACCSOL MANAGEMENT SERVICES

157/4, 2nd Floor, NSR Road, Sai Baba Colony Tel: 244-7580, 9.30am–5.30pm

CSK PRABHU & CO

F4, 4th Floor, Srivari Kikani Centre, 2, Krishnaswamy Mudaliar Road Tel: 255-2437, 9am-6pm.

VIJAY SIVA AND CO

Akshara Corporate Solution, 32, Kadai Kudil 2nd street, 2nd Avenue, Sivananda Colony, Tatabad Tel: 421-3905, 93452-04948, 94431-73471, 9.30am-7pm.

LAWYERS /ADVOCATES K. MYILVAGANAN

88, Sanjay Darshan Complex, Pappanaickenpalayam Tel: 99449-22727. 9am-8pm.

EDWARD & BHARATHI ASSOCIATES

4, RVR Complex, Head Quaters Road Tel: 94431-87468, 94430-59047, 9am-9pm.

A MOHAN

19, Jawans Bhavan, TB Road Tel: 221-1299,

KK NATESAN

7, Basement, Jawans Bhavan Tel: 94437-10112, 9.30am–7.30pm.

NITHIYANANDAN M

102, Lawyers Chamber, District Court Campus, Gopalapuram Tel: 93455-14664, 9.30am-8pm.

JD SOCRATES

40, 3rd Street, Gopalapuram Tel: 230-0171, 10am-6pm.

A1 TRADE MARK SERVICES

17/18, Sri Krishna Corporation Building 3rd Floor, Marakkadai, Mill Road Tel: 93632-61488, 9.30am-5.30pm.

ADVOCATE MANOHARAN

30, Old No 57, Anna Nagar, PPS Colony, Peelamedu Tel: 96299-96669, 9am-9pm.

PRABHU LAW ASSOCIATES

679, LMV Bus Stop, Ooty Main Road, Perianaickenpalayam Tel: 93631-26890. 9am-9pm.

ADVOCATE BALAJEE SRIDHAR MS

3, SR Iyyer Layout, Ramanathapuram Tel: 439-6123/6144, 9.30am-8pm.

MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS BELIEVE US

19/5, Chinnammal Street, KK Pudur, Saibaba Colony Tel: 244-7885, 9.30am-6.30pm.

SHREE SASTHA QUALITY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY

877/3, Jeeva St Lakshana Garden, RG Pudur, Chinniampalayam PO Tel: 90955-32510. 9am-8pm

FOREIGN EXCHANGE SAYI RUPE FOREX PRIVATE LIMITED

322, First Floor, DB Road, RS Puram; Tel: 98422-47245, 98422-67000. 7.30am-7pm.

CENTRUM DIRECT LIMITED

8A/1015, Avinashi Road, Near Harley Showroom. Tel: 221-3033, 9.30am-7pm.

SRI VARI MONEY EXCHANGE PVT LTD

579, 585, Cross Cut Road, Gandhipuram Tel: 439-7003, 9am-6pm.

GRAHAMS FOREIGN EXCHANGE

25-7, Kannusamy Road, Off DB Road, RS Puram; Tel: 254-3344, 254- 3364, 98422-10922/ 10801/ 10818. 9.30am7.30pm. Reserve Bank Licensed. Full fledged money changers. 22 years of reliable service. Purchase and sales of 30 international currencies, Western union and money gram, travel insurance. Email: grahamscbe@gmail.com, www.grahamsforex.in

GIFT INCORP

92, TM House, Thiruvenkataswamy Road, RS Puram; Tel: 497-8001, 80987-97219, 8.30am-8.30pm.

Contemporary classics

SHOP FOR PREMIUM FURNISHINGS AND UPHOLSTERY AT INNOVATIONS BY SMITI JAIN NARAYAN

Give your home or work space a complete makeover with stunning designs from Innovations – the exclusive store in Coimbatore for premium fabrics and furnishings. Find the widest range of patterns, colours and styles trending on the world stage. Soft furnishings, upholstery, curtains, valance, railings and blinds – Innovations has all this and more in store for the well-healed customer with discerning taste and an eye for detail. Starting out in 1989 as a modest enterprise with a small shop measuring 400 sq ft, the store today stands at an imposing two-storeyed structure covering 4500 sq ft of prime space. The success story is a testimony to the keen business acumen and tireless zeal of Venkat, the proprietor of Innovations. “Our collections are constantly updated with new designs and latest trends. The products you will find at Innovations are international in class and on par with the best furnishing stores of Mumbai, Delhi or other leading cities of the world.”

INNOVATIONS 10-B, Kalingarayar Street, Ramnagar Tel: 437-8156 www.innovations-cbe.com

Venkat Proprietor

The designs at Innovations are truly exclusive, ranging from flaunty floral to imported classics. Elegant patterns, eye-catching colours, and soft fabrics are some of the features that make these products stand out. Innovations is considered a trendsetter in interior furnishings, with designs updated regularly and continually. Not only homes, increasingly even commercial offices, leading hotels, the hospitality industry, hospitals and corporates are realising the importance of a well-turned out reception and meeting rooms, and are willing to stretch their budgets to project the right image for their organisations. So a big part of Innovations clientele is the corporate and commercial segment, which seeks out world-class fabrics for upholstery, blinds and other furnishing products. The staff at Innovations is well-trained to understand the customer’s

unique requirements and offer professional and efficient service to achieve the desired end result. Customisation is another significant feature offered by Innovations. Every client’s individual taste and aesthetic sensibilities are taken into account and accommodated. From curtain stitching, sofa re-upholstery and measurements on the client site, to the stitching and designing of the product – every step of the process is undertaken and executed with state-of-theart machinery by a committed team of highly experienced tailors and artisans, ensuring faultless finish and perfect craftsmanship. The final stage is the fitting, taken care of by trained fitters using modern tools. Commitment to customer satisfaction is the guiding principle at Innovations. The name and repute of Innovations has spread beyond Coimbatore, and the store has gained popularity in other parts of Tamil Nadu, neighbouring Kerala, Bangalore, and even distant locations like Tirunelveli and other places. To up the ante on the style quotient of your living or work spaces, drop in at Innovations for top-notch furnishings and accessories of world standards. With customisation to boot.

A CULTURAL MELTING POT Dams, waterfalls, landmarks, places of religious interest...

With Coimbatore, the sobriquets keep getting added up. From Textile hub to Engineering Capital to Retail City, this small town is on the way to becoming a sprawling metropolis. That’s not all. The city is emerging as a travel haven and a great transit point. Check out the waterfalls, dams, temples and wildlife sanctuaries on the city outskirts, and you will come away pleased. Not to mention, the Agricultural University and Crocodile Farm. You will never regret it. Happy exploring.

Just 90 kms from Coimbatore, this sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 metres in the Western Ghats, near Pollachi. Spread over 958 sq. kms, it has various kinds of exotic species like elephants, gaurs, tigers, panthers, sloth bear, pangolins, black headed orioles, green pigeons and civet cats. The Amaravathy reservoir in the Annamalai range has a large number of crocodiles. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karain Shola, Anaikunthi shola, Grass hills, waterfalls, groves, teak forests, estates, dams and reservoirs. Arrangements are available at Topslip to take tourists around the sanctuary on elephant back or by van.

ARULMIGU EACHANARI VINAYAGAR

Located 10 kms from Coimbatore on Pollachi Road, it is one of the oldest temples in Coimbatore and dates back to 1500 AD. The Moolavar was meant for Perur Patteshwarar temple and since it got stuck on its way from Madurai, Eachanari became the blessed place. The deity’s height is 6 feet and the width is 3 feet. It is one of the biggest in South India.

ARULMIGU POONDI VELLIYANGIRIANDAVAR THIRUKOIL – POONDI

Velliyangiri is a beautiful temple situated in one amongst the five hills of historical importance, just 20 kms from Kovai. The five hills symbolically represent the five different faces of Lord Shiva. This is the only temple where Panchalinga can be seen.

AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

the name was changed to Agricultural College, which later became Agricultural University. It is 5 km from the railway station. Tel: 661-1268. Timing: 9am-5pm.

CROCODILE FARM

This is located in Amaravathi Dam which is 25 kms from Udumalpet. This place is at present being developed as a District Excursion centre.

One of the best institutions of its kind in south Asia, the Agricultural University was originally established as an agriculture farm in Saidapet, Chennai. The location was moved to Coimbatore in 1907 and

AVINASHI TEMPLE

This temple is 40 km from Coimbatore and is known as a pilgrim city and ‘the Banaras of the South’. The Cholas built the Avanashilingeswarar temple during the 12th century. It is the biggest temple of the district and the minute and well-shaped carvings and sculptures are a joy to watch.

AYYAPPAN TEMPLE

The holy Ayyappan temple is revered by both the locals and tourists alike. The magnificent temple was constructed in 1976 by the Sri Dharma Sastha Baktha Jana Sabha. It bears striking resemblance to the Ayyappan temple in Sabarimala.

CSI ALL SOULS’ CHURCH

The CSI All Souls church is 138 years old and one of the oldest buildings in Coimbatore. This structure reflects the gothic revival style of architecture with its pointed arches and is characteristic of an Anglican Parish. The building was consecrated for worship on March 27, 1872 by Bishop Gell. Reverend Henry Pope was the first resident Chaplin. The walls are of Ashlar masonry and the steeple houses the belfry. A Porch was added at the western end in 1902 in memory of King Edward VII. The windows are of exquisite stained glass and the church is a unique example of a British church built with materials of the region.

DHYANALINGA

The Dhyanalinga Multi-Religious Temple is situated at Vellingiri foothills about 30kms from Coimbatore. Dhyanalinga was consecrated by mystic and yogi Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev after three years of ‘prana prathista’ (process of charging the idol). Measuring 13 feet, 9 inches, Dhyanalingam is assumed to be the largest mercury-based live linga in the world. In its presence, it requires only minutes to make even those unaware of meditation to experience a state of deep meditative trance and feel the divine energy that overflows from this glorious form. The free-spanning dome that enshrines the Dhyanalingam measures 77 inches diameter and is the largest of its kind in the world. It is said that this divine instrument radiates seven different qualities on seven different days of the week by which one can derive various benefits.

FLOWER MARKET

Coimbatore’s art of garland-making and its garland makers hold a special place in south India. The art has grown to such prominence that it has fuelled a dedicated flower market. The fragrance of lilies, jasmines, roses, lotuses and native flowers like shenbagam are a treat to the factory senses. One can spend hours watching the nimble movement of the flower artists as they tread wreaths, hair adornments and garlands.

FOREST COLLEGE MUSEUM

Spread over 66 hectares, the Southern forest ranger’s college is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country. Situated 3.5 kms from the Coimbatore Railway Station, it is worth a visit to see Museum of Natural History which is housed within the College campus. The museum and the neighbouring Botanical Garden have nearly 300 species of rare and endangered plants. Apart from plants, the museum also has an interesting collection of different minerals, rocks, pests, snakes, insects and fungal diseases that afflict plants and trees.

KALA GRAM

4/1, Attukal Road, Raj Bhavan,Thondamuthur Coimbatore Tel: 98420-14569

Raviraj began work on this new centre of fine arts in 2012. Situated at the foothills of the mountains, students get to learn the arts in the lap of nature. Over here, you can buy art pieces, learn the fine arts and hold cultural performances. With a nominal entry fee, it’s affordable to all. The promoters intend to create professional artistes. The idea is to recreate a Gurukul-style of learning atmosphere with residential facilities. This will lead to a better interaction between the students and teachers. There will be no exam, but the students will be continuously assessed. They will also get a chance to interact with the students of Lalit kalakshetra alongside. The promoters intend to fund the course fees and provide free accommodation for deserving students. And that will be after a three-month assessment by the teachers.

INFANT JESUS CHURCH

Kovaipudur or rather Kuniamuthur and areas South and West of Palghat Road was earlier attached to the Cathedral parish. Bishop Visuwaram was searching for a suitable site on the National Highway of this area, but he died before it was realised. It was attached to Madukkarai Parish and since March 1976, a Sunday mass is being conducted for the Special Protection Force. With civilian housing colonies mushrooming all over, a site was bought by the Diocese, with the picturesque back-drop of Vellingiri hills to the west. Kovai Pudur Tel: 260-7157.

GD NAIDU MUSEUM

KASTHURI SREENIVASAN TRUST ART GALLERY AND TEXTILE MUSEUM

Avinashi Road, Gopala Puram Tel: 222-2548 The museum showcases engineering products and other interesting curious items. Many of them were invented by GD Naidu himself. His collection of razors, electric shavers, gas lighters and photo flashes are lined up at the museum. A variety of pens, postcards, cameras and binoculars fill another side. Working models, drawings and charts give us details and also let us practically examine them.

KOVAI KUTRALAM FALLS

Located in Siruvani, about 37 km from Coimbatore, these scenic waterfalls are in the heart of a dense jungle. Which is why visitors are not permitted after 5pm. A good place to watch birds and wildlife within the area. As very few buses are available, it is best to plan in advance if you want to enjoy the panoramic view out here.

Avinashi Road, Tel: 257-4110 The museum show cases types of handlooms from various parts of India as well as sketches of various types of handlooms used by American Indians, history of costumes in India from the time of Mohenjo-Daro down to the 19th century is depicted in the form of pictures, antique sarees, other textiles and artifacts, whorl wheels of Egypt and the spinning wheels of Mohenjo-Daro the growth and development of spinning and weaving is exhibited through charts, models and actual machines in a few cases and the development of the early stages of the Industrial Revolution are exhibited in their logical sequence.

SENGUPATHI WATERFALLS

This waterfall is located 35 kms from Coimbatore on the way to Siruvani. The location is pleasant and beautiful and tourists flock to this place like bees to honey.

RAMAR TEMPLE

Situated in Ramnagar, the Ramar temple is one of the holy places that attract devotees all year round. Dedicated to Lord Ram, the rituals and ceremonies are conducted regularly and with much fanfare.

PERUR PATTEESWARA SWAMY

Perur Patteeswara Swamy temple is the most popular temple in the city. Built by the King Karikala Cholan, this temple is situated 7 kms west of Coimbatore near river Noyyal, called ‘Kanchi Manadi’ by the locals. The presiding deity is Shiva and the ‘Swayambu Lingam’ is the idol worshipped here. This sanctum is the joint effort of the Chola, Hoysala and Vijayanagara rulers during their reign. The greatest attraction is the ‘Kanaka Saba’ or the golden hall which is adorned by a gold-plated statue of Nataraja bestowing blessings upon the two sages - Gowmuni and Pattimuni. The gopurams and pillars of the hall are exquisitely carved out sculptures highlighting Dravidian architecture. The significance is unfolded in the poetic creations of Arunagiri Nather and Kachiappa Munivar. Pilgrims from all over visit this spot to pay homage to their ancestors. It is believed that the mortal remains of the dead turn into white stones after 144 days.

FESTIVALS

The Mariamman festivals, at the city’s numerous Amman temples, is a major event in Kovai in the 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 and painted (machines and vehicles are washed), concluding with a pooja.

MUDUMALAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Situated 67 kms away from Coimbatore, the sanctuary’s dense vegetation and favourable climate attract a variety of wild animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, snakes and birds. Elephant rides are a major draw. Dormitory and hotel accommodation are available within the sanctuary.

TOP SLIP

A picturesque locale in the Annamalai Hills. It is about 37 kms from Pollachi (about 90 kms from Coimbatore).There are bungalows available within the sanctuary. For thrill seekers, accommodation is also available in a tree house.

ISHA YOGA CENTRE

THIRUMURTHY DAM

It is situated at the foot of Thirumurthy Hills, adjoining the Thirumurthy Dam. This is about 20 kms from Udumalpet on the highway from Palani to Coimbatore. A perennial stream flows by the side of the Amalingeswarar temple. Close to it is a refreshing waterfall. There is also a Crocodile Farm in Amaravathy Dam nearby. This place is being developed as District Excursion Centre.

THIRUMOORTHY TEMPLE

This is also a sacred place where there is a holy shrine. This lies 20 km away from Udumalpet on the Palani-Coimbatore highway. The temple is set on the foot of the Thirumoorthy Hills near the dam of the same name. A stream flows by the side of the temple and there are some waterfalls nearby. This is now being developed by the Tourism Department to make it a good District Excursion Centre.

THE SIRUVANI WATERFALLS AND DAM

This waterfall and dam are about 37 kms from Coimbatore. The water of Siruvani is known for its sweet taste. The panoramic views of the dam and the falls are enchanting.

Velliangiri Foothills,Isha Vihar Post; Tel: 251-5345, 6am–8pm Arulmigu Vanabadrakaliamman Temple, Devikottam, Thekkampatti, Nellithurai (Post), Mettupalayam Tel: 04254-222286/225510, www.vanabadrakaliamman.tnhrce.in

MARUDHAMALAI HILL TEMPLE

At an altitude of 500 feet, Marudhamalai Hill temple is scenically located at a distance of 15 km from the city limits. Beautiful weather, pristine clear views of the low-lying city can be had while going to the temple. An exquisitely carved statue of Lord Murugan is worth seeing. Most buses and special buses are granted by the devasthanam for taking the devotees to the temple on top of the hill.

M

M

Mahaveer THE SILK PEOPLE