Coimbatore

Coimbatore is an important industrial city, which is located in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. An important textile-manufacturing centre, it is also known as the ‘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 lies at the foot of the quaint Nilgiri Hills. Its vicinity to the Nilgiri hills gives Coimbatore a pleasant climate that is much cooler than the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu. Travellers visiting the Nilgiri hills from the south use Coimbatore as their base.

Coimbatore is a part of the Coimbatore circuit covering places like Coimbatore, Mettupalayam and Ooty. While at Coimbatore you can visit the Botanical Garden, the Agricultural College Museum and the VOC (V.O Chidambram) Park. You can also purchase textiles and readymade garments in Coimbatore.

General Information
Getting to Coimbatore: Coimbatore has an International Airport and is connected to all major metropolitian cities in India. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Paramount Airways, Go Air, and Air Deccan operate frequent flights in Coimbatore. The airport is located just 2km from the hospital.
• By Rail: Coimbatore has three railway junctions (terminals) Coimbatore Central, Coimbatore North and Podanur (15 KM). There are daily trains to major cities including Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, Tirupathi, Cochin, Mangalore, Mumbai, Madurai, Trichy,
Ooty, Palghat, Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Thanjavur and Kanyakumari.
• By Road: Coimbatore is connected by national highway 47 (NH-47) from Salem leading to Kanyakumari. Coimbatore is 530 KM from Chennai, Tamil Nadu State Capital (travel time of about 10 Hrs). Other travel times include Tirupur 50 KM, 1 Hour, Ooty 80 KM, 3 Hrs. Pollachi 45 KM, 1 Hr, Erode 100 KM, 2 Hrs, Salem 180 KM, 4 Hrs, Bangalore 360 KM, 7 Hrs. From Coimbatore buses go to every major city and town in Tamil Nadu and other states. In Coimbatore city, you can also find call taxis as economically priced as in any other part of the country. The city has reasonably well laid out roads and lanes.

Important Coimbatore phone numbers:
• Aravind Eye Hospital : 0422 - 4360400
• Guest House : 0422 - 4360400 ,Extension 553

Restaurants to Visit in Coimbatore
• Chin Chin: This specialty restaurant at The Residency offers a wide variety of Chinese cuisine – Located in Avinashi Road, Coimbatore.
• Coffee Pot: The 24 hours Coffee Shop at The Residency, overlooking the pool offers a variety of cuisine including a buffet for break fast, lunch & dinner, and a la carte dining too Located in Avinashi Road Coimbatore.
• Mangala International: Multi-cuisine Restaurant with roof top Garden Restaurant serving delicious food of all varieties located at Nehru street, Ram Nagar, Coimbatore.
• Cloud Nine Multicuisine restaurant attached to Hotel City Tower, Ram Nagar, Gandipuram, Coimbatore.
• Annalakshmi – for vegetarian items situated on the Race Course Road, Coimbatore.
• Annapoorna Park Situated directly behind Nehru Stadium, this vegetarian restaurant is also part of the Annapoorna group. Unique for multi-cusine specialities and an ideal ambience.
• Hotel Surya International has a Multi cuisine restaurant sited on the Race course road, Coimbatore.
• CAG Pride -located near to Gandhipuram Bus stop, Bharathiyar road, Coimbatore.

Fast Food Joints and Pastry shops
• Baker’s Corner In-house confectionary at ‘The Residency’ offers a wide choice of products ranging from gateaux, pastries, assorted savories, breads and chocolates. Party orders are taken.
• Anjali Drive Thru Located at Peelamedu near Ford Service Centre. The drive-in is unique for multi-cusine specialities and its ideal ambience.
• Hotel Surya International has a multi-cuisine restaurant sited on the Race Course Road, Coimbatore.
• CAG Pride -located near to Gandhipuram Bus stop, Bharathiyar road, Coimbatore has a multi-cuisine restaurant.
• Nilgiri’s Pastry shop offers a wide range of delightful Cakes. Snacks are always available and it is ideal for people on the move.
• Drive Inn -A popular drive-in restaurant in Hotel Aarvee, serving snacks and light fare.
• Hot Breads - Fast food restaurant and pastry shop located in R.S.Puram. Favourite haunt for the city’s teen crowd.
• Dominio’s Pizza - Situated at Nehru Stadium a place exclusively for hot pizza.

Sightseeing in and Around Coimbatore (Kerala Area)
Ooty

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the “Queen of hill stations” and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means “Blue Mountains”. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots and used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the British during the colonial days. An added attraction for tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which begins at Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair raising curves and fearful tunnels begins at the train chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. With an influx of modern development surrounding it, the old Ooty still retains its charm and appeal.

At an elevation of 2,333 m, Ooty makes for a great escape from the heat of the plains below. Hiking, horseback riding and rowing are the main attractions. There is also a large botanical garden on the edge of the town, and peaceful St. Stephen’s Church that has views out over the town. The best way to get to Ooty is on the toy train (Blue Mountain Express) from Mettupalayam, which is 40 minutes from Coimbatore.

There are tourist cruises available from Allepey to Kollom running daily. You can choose to go one way only or return to where you started. A more extravagant option is to hire a houseboat, definitely worth the cost.

Ayurvedic Resorts

A real treat for your body and mind is a trip to an Ayurvedic resort. An Indian style health resort. Ayurveda (meaning life knowledge) is the traditional health science of India. At the resort you can choose from a variety of treatments including a general massage, hot oil treatments, a medicated steam bath and a facial. There are also 7 to 28-day treatment packages designed for different illnesses or for general health care. Yoga classes are also held.

One such resort is the Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort located south of Kovalam. Set upon the hill overlooking a wide beach and the Arabian Sea are traditional style Kerala houses with Western amenities. A private beach and excellent restaurant are also available.

Black Thunder

Asia's Number One theme Park is set in a grove of coconut and betelnut trees. It boasts of a breadthtaking view of the Niligiris which forms the background of the park. You can Set sails in the rubber rafts down screaming white water or dive down the sky blue surfing hill. If you have had enough of high speed rides, just take a cool, slow ride down a lazy river or take a break in either the two fine restaurants. Black Thunder is situated about 40 kms from Coimbatore on the Ooty Main Road, and is well connected by air and land. The different attractions include Wave Pool, Wild River Ride, Dry Rides, SurfHill Side, Lazy River Ride, Kiddies Pool, etc.

Map of Coimbatore

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