7 minute read
CITY SIGHTS
from CBE March'21
by Travel&Shop
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.
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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.
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.
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
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.
Travel&Shop The Ahaa moment for The Grand Regent! What’s the secret recipe of this moment?
Quoting industry head Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Airlines – ‘Clients don’t come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients. Every industry’s success depends on the employees of the company. Employees are the torch bearers and foundation of the brand. As the saying goes, satisfied happy employees, make way for happy customers. A way of celebrating and appreciating the employees is celebrating their achievements. One of the secret recipes for this is, inhouse non kitchen staff being encouraged to be culinary artists. TGR motto - contented staff equalises contented TGR guests, making the guests ‘feel at home’ and comfortable. Tagline of Indian tourism ‘Athiti Devo Bhava’! TGR is joyful to share with the below scenario.
TRG gives a hands-on taste of culinary to non-kitchen staff under the joyful guidance of General Manager.
The prelude to this is hands-on complete entertainment to the staff, they readily don the hat of the kitchen staff during the pre-cookery show. Their involvement, passion and joys out- smarts the kitchen staff, which is palpable by the inhouse onlooking staff. Seven pairs of non-kitchen staff comprising of – Mr. Stephen & Mrs. Lakshmi, Mrs. Vijaya & Mrs. Chitra, Mr. Rajendran & Mr. Gopi, Mr. Deepak & Mr. Nagaraj, Mrs. Vinodhini & Mrs. Meena, Mrs. Dhanalaxmi & Mrs. Jancy, and Mr. Vignesh & Mr. Sravanakumar. Every pair gives an aura of culinary artist, who are churning out visual treat and mouth-watering traditional dishes.
“Nangalum samaippomla”
The pairs get a gift hamper consisting of interesting ingredients – surpriseeee…... the whole arena is turned into a busy culinary battlefield. The seriousness of the pairs cooking and expertly, a joy to watch for the inhouse onlookers. Each pair go about completing the task like ‘Nala – the expert cook’ from the Mahabharata, calm and organised, fully aware of completing their culinary tasks. The show is flawlessly steered as a well-oiled machine – smoothly by F&B production Commandos – Mrs. Keerthi, Mr. Elango, Mr. Lakshmanan & Mr. Kishan. The pairs churn out aromatic dishes which can get a ‘not so hungry’ person craving to taste the dishes laid out and ready for verdict of awards. Judges General Manager, Human Resource Manager and Maintenance Manager are enthralled with the participant pairs’ enthusiasm and passion. Tough moment for the judges, to choose the winner – Voila! Judges were waiting to taste each dish made with fondness, concentration and passion to bring out the best. Each dish competes for attention of the judges. And the moment awaited – Ahaaaa moment! The Champions are awarded by General Manager. The Winner’s Recipe
Kerala Fish Fry Ingredients: 1 whole Fish (any ) - (approx – 300 gms) Red Chilly Powder - 1 tbsp Pepper Powder - 1 tsp Turmeric Powder - quarter tsp Salt - as required Lemon Juice - 2 tsp Curry Leaves - ½ spring Oil (pref) - Coconut oil as required Lemon Wedges (to squeeze on top) - 2 nos Onion slices (to serve)
Method: 1. Clean the whole fish, slits on both sides 2. Prepare the masala by mixing the red chilly powder, pepper powder, turmeric powder, salt and lemon juice. The masala should have a thick consistency and evenly coat the fish with it on both sides. Marinate for 30 minutes. 3. Heat oil in a frying pan and add curry leaves. It helps to enhance the flavor while frying the fish 4. Plates the fish carefully and shallow fry (use less oil) in medium flame. Allow it to fry until it becomes nicely charred and brown and flip to cook the other side 5. Squeeze the lemon on the top of the fish and serve with shallots / onion slices 6. Serve warm with rice Chef Saravanakumar – Executive Sous Chef
The Grand Regent
www.facebook.com/thegrandregent rrl_tgr GrandRegent
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WORLD STANDARDS OF COMFORT & LUXURY
Hotels, Serviced Apartments, Resorts...
With Coimbatore on the textile and industrial map, you have non-residents flooding in to cut deals, attend conferences or just take a slice of India. For business visitors on short trips, budget hotels are a smart option. These places offer no frills in terms of room service or conference facilities, but more than make up in smart, clean, comfortable accommodation with ensuite bathrooms. The many four-star and five-star hotels dotting the Coimbatore cityscape offer the best amenities in luxury, style, and convenience, making your stay a true home away from home.
FIVE STAR DELUXE HOTELS
LE MERIDIEN
762, Avinashi Road Tel: 236-4343 Rs 7400-50,000. 254 trendy rooms of world class facilities and amenities in its guestrooms and meeting rooms. 3 signature restaurants, 3 splendid bars, 3 meal restaurant, café and a wellequipped business centre.
THE RESIDENCY TOWERS
1076, Avinashi Road Tel: 224-1414, Rs 5500- 10,900 ++. 5 star deluxe luxury hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms with thematic interiors. Located on a major arterial road which is just 20 minutes drive from the airport.
FIVE STAR HOTELS
VIVANTA - COIMBATORE
105, Race Course Road Tel: 668- 1000, Rs 8,000-50,000.
WELCOMHOTEL COIMBATORE
1266/44, West Club Road, Race Course Tel: 222-6555. Rs 7000+ tax.
RADISSON BLU COIMBATORE
164-165, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel: 222-6000, 95855-95315 Rs 6000-25,000+tax.
FOUR STAR HOTELS
ALOFT COIMBATORE
483, Kamaraj Road, Upplipalayam, Singanallur Tel: 665-6000,Rs 3000-8000++.
FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT
469/2B, Sitra, Airport Road Tel: 664 -4300. Rs. 4800 ++
HOTEL CAG PRIDE
312, Bharathiyar Road Tel: 431-7777,Rs 3800 ++
HASH SIX HOTELS
257, Mettupalayam Road, Saibaba Colony; Tel: 455-1555. Rs 4000-7499+
GOKULAM PARK
116/2, Avinashi Road, Mylampatti, Chinnayampalayam Post Tel: 262-6030, Rs Rs 3500-15000++
ZONE BY THE PARK
33/3, Avinashi Rd, Near Lakshmi Mills Signal Tel: 400-5000 Rs 4000-7499 + tax.
THREE STAR HOTELS
POPPYS VISTA
Avinashi Road, Tirupur; Tel: 04296-304-300, 272-101, Rs 3600-7450. Enjoy peaceful stay in spacious bedrooms housed in double storey units spread across lush landscaping. Offer 24 hours check in/checkout facility, all day restaurant, outdoor pool & gym.
