Wonderful Coimbatore

Coimbatore is
498 kms from
Chennai. The
third largest
city of the
state,
Coimbatore
the
headquarters
of a district of
the same
name, is one
of the most
industrialised cities in Tamil Nadu. The city is
situated on the banks of the river Noyyal and is
known as the textile capital of South India or the
Manchester of the South. Coimbatore existed
even prior to the 2nd century AD as a small tribal
village capital called Kongunad until it was
brought under Chola control in the 2nd or 3rd
century AD by Karikalan, the first of the early
Cholas. Among its other great rulers were the
Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and
the Vijayanagara kings. When Kongunad fell to
the British along with the rest of the state, its
name was changed to Coimbatore and it is by
this name that it is known today, except in
Tamil, in which it is called Kovai.
Located in the shadow of the Western Ghats,
Coimbatore enjoys a very pleasant climate the
year round, aided by the fresh breeze that flows
in through the 25 kms long Palakkad gap. The
rich black soil of the region has contributed to
Coimbatore's flourishing agriculture industry and,
it is in fact that the successful growth of cotton
that served as a foundation for the establishment
of its famous textile industry. The first textile
mills came up around 1888 and there are now
over a hundred mills. The result has been a
strong economy and a reputation as one of the
greatest industrial cities in South India.
Coimbatore serves as an entry and exit point to
the neighbouring state of Kerala and the ever-
popular hill station of Udagamandalam (Ooty) in
Tamil Nadu. It is the disembarking point for
those who want to take the Mountain train that
runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty that is just 35
kms from Coimbatore. There are also regular bus
services from Coimbatore to Ooty.