Coimbatore (Tamil: கோயம்புத்தூர் Kōyambuttur), also known as Kovai (கோவை Kōvai), is an industrial city of 2 million people (2020) in Tamil Nadu, often likened to being the Manchester or Detroit of Southern India. It's famous for the manufacture of motor-pump sets and varied engineering goods.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Coimbatore is known for its various industries, engineering goods, textile mills, educational institutions, health care facilities, pleasant weather, friendly culture and hospitality. There are significant minorities of North and West Indian origin in the city, making it cosmopolitan. The people are friendly and courteous. Coimbatore is an orthodox city. It has developed in terms of wealth, but the general populace is still down to earth. People here don't have a flashy lifestyle.
Coimbatore has a network of public transport consisting of bus, autos, app taxi and app bikes Bus: Coimbatore has a well network of intra city busses originating from Gandhipuram bus stand and Singanallur Bus Station Auto: Autos are readily available. However there are no fixed rates, so do fix the price before boarding. The prices are subject to bargaining App Taxi & Bike: Red Taxis and Rapido Bikes are readily available
1 VOC park (near Gandhipuram). The park includes a zoo and a children's park. Evening is the best time to visit the park. Nehru Stadium is nearby and also there are few small playgrounds for basketball, tennis, badminton, etc. Adult ₹3, child ₹2. 2 GD Museums (in Avinashi Road). (Daily 9AM to 6:30PM. Closed on Monday. Also closed on Republic Day, May Day & Independence day). Interesting collection of inventions by G.D. Naidu, who is also referred to as the Edison of India. The complex houses three museums: Experimenta Science Centre, Gedee Car Museum and GD Science Museum. The museums are located in the same complex and has separate tickets. The museums also offer a ticket combo.
There are three good water theme parks. The entry fees are ₹800 to 1000 for adults, while children get a discount of ₹100-300 per head. Black Thunder (near Ooty foot hills). Kovai Kondattam (en route to Siruvani Dam). Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore, Velliangiri Foothills, Ishana Vihar Post (about 35 km from Coimbatore, 1 hour's drive without traffic), ☏ +91 83000 83111, info@ishafoundation.org. This yoga centre is an ashram in the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains beside the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Visitors can participate in yoga programmes and ceremonies in the temples. The centre is set in 150 acres of thick forest. Includes a Shiva temple and the Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple.
When visiting Coimbatore, taste the food and "Siruvani Water". Coimbatore is an ideal stop to rest while on the way to Ooty, Bangalore or Kerala. Sample the best of South Indian idlis, dosas, vada, chutney and vegetarian rice meal from the Annapoorna Chain of Veg Restaurants, Shree Anandhaas Chain of Veg Restaurants, Aaryaas Veg Restaurant and non-vegetarian food from Kovai Biriyani Hotel, Angannan's, Anjappar, Sampoorna, Rayappas and Thalappas restaurants. Try Krishna Sweets, too, the sweets chain started in this town.
Liquor cannot be found in the department stores or malls. It is regulated by the state government of Tamil Nadu and available through retail outlets controlled by state-owned body TASMAC and in some star hotels and bars. These shops usually close around 22:00, and it is hard to find an overnight party house in the city. Siruvani water in Coimbatore is considered one of the tastiest natural unprocessed waters on the planet.
Coimbatore is safer than other cities in Tamil Nadu. Beware of pickpockets at bus stands. While travelling by bus, keep your valuables safe.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Coimbatore typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 17 rainy days.
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