Coimbatore is surrounded by rich agricultural land and within sight of the towering Nilgiri Hills, this relatively modern South Indian city is high enough to be significantly cooler and pleasanter than the coastal plains. At the first look, Coimbatore comes across as a regular modern day city busy on its feet with traders, blithe students, eager exporters, and merry tourists making their way to Ooty and Kodai. But, that's just the surface of this simple South Indian city. A layer down and you would find an old world charm you would find people with a ready smile and a helping hand to every new comer who sets foot in this beautiful land. The saying It's not the place, but the people who make the place? is so true when you walk into Coimbatore. The large number of textile factories has earned it the name Manchester of India. The city has, over the years, been a major link in the trade between Kerala and the rest of India. It is also the main access point for a trip to the hill stations of Ooty, Coonoor, and Munnar.

How to Reach
Air
Coimbatore has direct flights to Chennai, Bangalore, and Madurai.

Rail
The city is a major junction and it is from here that the metre gauge track to Ooty starts. Trains link Coimbatore to Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin, Trivandrum, and Delhi.

Road
Coimbatore is well connected by buses to Chennai (500 km), Bangalore (363 km), Cochin (183 km), Ooty (98 km), Coonoor (83 km), and Kodikanal (138 km).

Religious Places
Perur Patteeswara Swamy Temple
The most popular temple in the city, it was built by the great Chola king Karikala. The gopurams (towers) and pillars have exquisite carvings and sculptures.

Marudha Malai Temple
Dedicated to Lord Muruga, the temple is the biggest in the district and famous for its sculptures.

Thenthirumalai Venkatachalapathy Temple
A miniature of the world famous shrine in Tirupati, its best avoided on weekends due to the unmanageable crowd.