¤ About Coimbatore
Coimbatore
is an industrial city of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city is
an important textile-manufacturing centre in India and as such it is
sometimes also called as Manchester of South India. There are more than a
hundred textile mills in and around Coimbatore apart from a number of other
manufacturing units, which produce engineering equipment and electronic
items.Coimbatore existed even prior to the 2nd century AD as a small tribal
village called Kongunad. It was Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas,
who brought Kongunad under Chola control in the second or third century AD.
Some of the great rulers who ruled over the city were the Rashtrakutas,
Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara kings. It was only when
Kongunad fell to the British along with the rest of the state, its name was
changed to Coimbatore. The city's nearness to the Nilgiri hills gives it a
pleasant climate that is much cooler than the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu.
The strategic location of Coimbatore near the Palghat gap within the Western
Ghats has made this region an area of conflict between different southern
kingdoms since ancient times. Not much is known about the prehistory of this
region.
However, during the Vedic age (1500 BC-600 BC) Dravidians
are supposed to have inhabited this region, like most other areas of south
India. The region around Coimbatore was amongst the first places in Tamil
nadu, where the local Tamil speaking people set up territorial states. In
the ancient period the region around Coimbatore was known as Kongu Nadu
(Kongu country) and was ruled by local Velir chiefs, who were of Tamil
origin. In course of time Kongu country witnessed a long drawn out struggle
between the different kingdoms of south India: the Cholas (who ruled the
area of Tanjore), the Pandyas (who ruled in the region of Madurai) and the
Cheras or Keralas (who ruled the Kerala coast). The region ruled by these
kingdoms was known as the land of the Tamils, as Tamil was the language
spoken here. The information we get about these three states is mainly based
on Tamil literature also called the 'Sangam literature'. Sangam literature
is a vast collection of ancient Tamil poems.
These poems are
treasure troves of information, as they vividly describe the life and
culture of the common people and the rulers of South India. These poems
point out that the Cholas Pandyas and Cheras constantly fought with each
other, and the boundaries of their states changed frequently. A large part
of Kongu Nadu was ruled by the Cheras while the remaining areas was in
possession of the Pandya Kings. Though the region around Coimbatore
witnessed a lot of conflict in the ancient period, in reality it never
became an important centre for any kingdom and was mainly inhabited by local
tribes. This region became a part of the great Vijayanagar Empire in the
medieval period. After the disintegration of the Vijaynagar Empire the local
Nayaka rulers of Madurai ruled it. For a short period of time this region
came under the rule of the Mughal Empire when Emperor Aurangzeb annexed
large areas of Southern India, during his famous Deccan campaign. However,
the Mughal Empire could not hold on to its newly acquired territories for
long. The decline of the Mughal hold in this region created a political
vacuum, which led to a renewal of conflicts between different states. The
British finally annexed this region in the 18th century.
¤ Major Tourist Attractions
of CoimbatoreAnamalai Wildlife Sanctuary - Anamalai
wildlife sanctuary is about 90-km from Coimbatore and is situated at an
altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi. The area of the
sanctuary is 958-sq-kms. An ecological paradise, this sanctuary encompasses
a National Park. It has just recently been renamed Indira Gandhi wildlife
sanctuary.
Topslip - It is a picturesque locale
in the Anamalai Hills. It is about 37-km. from Pollachi. This small town is
an ideal picnic spot.
Black Thunder Amusement Park -
Black Thunder, a water sports and amusement park is situated about
40-km from Coimbatore on the Ooty main Road. When you need time off from the
rest of the world, time to be with your family, time to share moments of
adventure and fun with friends, time for children to experience fun and joy,
time to take a break- Black Thunder is your destination.
Parambikulam
- Aliyar Multipurpose Project - Parambikulam-Aliyar Multipurpose
Project project consists of a series of dams interconnected by tunnels and
canals for harnessing waters of the Parambikulam, Aliyar, Nirar, Sholiyar,
Thunakadavu, Thekkadi and Palar rivers, lying at various elevations, for
irrigation and power generation. The scheme is an outstanding example of
engineering skill. It is located in the Anamalai range.
V
O C Park - Named after the freedom fighter V.O.Chidambaram, the VOC
Park is the most appropriate place to go with children. The Coimbatore
Corporation maintains the park. The Park houses a mini Zoo, models of
prehistoric dinosaurs, Children' Train, Swing, Slider, Seesaw and other play
equipment and is more like an amusement park for the children. The park has
a stretch of grass patch conveniently mowed to sit on.
Thiruppur
- An important textile centre in Coimbatore district, it is also
famous for hosiery products. Thiruppur is also closely associated with '
Thiruppur Kumaran ' one of the valiant freedom fighters. It is 50-km from
Coimbatore.
¤ ShoppingCoimbatore is a major
industrial centre in Tamil Nadu noted for its textile mills and engineering
industry. Some of the main places to shop in Coimbatore are: -
¤
Big Bazaar,
¤ Oppanakkara Street Raja Street,
¤ Ranga
Gownder Street
¤ Sukravar Pettai (for Handloom Saris)
¤
Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium
¤ Co-optex
¤ Khadikrafts
¤ TANSI Sales Centre
¤ AccomodationBeing
a major city of the state, Coimbatore offers various accommodation options
for tourists. There are star hotels, moderate class and small budgeted
hotels and lodges. Accommodation is also available at the Railway Retiring
Room, Railway Station Corporation; Bus Stand Rest House, Central Bus Stand;
and Sports Development Authority Dormitory.
Coimbatore
