Coimbatore - Places to Visit

There are a number of picnic spots situated around Coimbatore. Siruvani Waterfalls, about 37 kms west of the city is noted for it's captivating beauty and the sweetness of it's water.The panoramic view of the dam and the falls are of enchanting beauty.
Botanical Garden
Popularly known as Ooty, Udhamandalam was the summer capital of the British rulers in India. The misty blue haze of Nilgiris and the fragrant rain forests lure millions of tourists to Ooty every year. Situated at an altitude of 2268 metres above sea level, it was discovered in the early 18th Century. Snooker is said to have originated on the billiards table of the Ooty Club by an army officer - Neville Chamberlain. The smaller hill resorts adjoining Ooty - Coonoor & Kotagiri have the same dewy fresh mornings and breezy calm evenings of Ooty. The botanical gardens established by the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847, continues to be a major attraction.The Ooty flower show and the dog show are popular events held annually. Trout fishing is a popular sport at Avalanche, 24 kms away from Ooty. Other famous spots - Doddabetta, Lamb's rock. Pykara Lake. Accommodation is available in various categories from 5 star to budget hotels and dormitories, but rates vary during peak seasons(Mid May) /off / half seasons.
Mudumalai Wild Life Sanctuary
Situated 67 kms away from Coimbatore, the sanctuary's dense vegetation and favourable climate attract a variety of wild animals like Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Deer, Snakes, and birds. Elephant rides are a major draw. Dormitory and hotel accommodation are available within the sanctuary.
Kodaikanal
138 kms from Coimbatore, at the southern tip of the Palani Hills, lies Kodaikanal. Dense greenery, crystal clear springs, water falls and misty cool air - Kodai is one of the most popular hill stations in South India. The hill sides abound with the Kurinji flower which blooms once in 12 years .For orchid lovers, there is an orchidorium 6 kms away, having more than 300 varieties of orchids.The Bear shola falls, Silver cascade, Kodai lake, Bryant park, Coaker's Walk & Kukkai cave are some of the other places worth visiting.
Top Slip
A picturesque locale in the Anamalai Hills. It is about 37 Kms. from Pollachi (about 90 Kms from Coimbatore).There are bungalows available within the sanctuary. For thrill seekers, accommodation is also available in a tree house. Aliyar is one of the tributaries of the river Kannadipuzha. Kannadipuzha is one of the main tributaries of the river Bharathapuzha, the second-longest river in Kerala, south India.
Parambikulam-Aliyar
The project consists of a series of dams interconnected by tunnels and canals for harnessing 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 Anamalai range and is ideal for picnics. Overnight stay is possible in forest rest houses. A tree-top house provides accomodation for the adventurous.
Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 metres in the western ghats near Pollachi. The area of the sanctuary is 958 Sq. Kms. It has various kinds of exotic fauna like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, pangolin, black headed oriole, green pigeon and civet cat. The Amaravathy reservoir in the Anamalais has a large number of crocodiles. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karain Shola, Anaikunthi shola, Grass hills, waterfalls,groves ,teak forests,estates,dams and reservoirs. Arrangements are available at Topslip to take tourists around the Sanctuary on elephant back or by van.
Masaniamman Temple Masaniamman Temple is situated at a distance of 15 miles away from Pollachi. This sanctified shrine attract large number of devotees. The idol of Masaniamman is very powerful one and offer blessing to all devotees who have a stunt belief in her. Devotees also expect that Goddess will respond their prayer within three weeks. There is a stone image in the temple representing as a Goddess of Justice with the body of serpent. Merchants meeting loss in their business, people hassled by enemies, women or men who lost their belongings take bath, sport holy ashes of the shrine, grind red chillies in stone grinder of the temple, smear the paste on stone of Justice called ‘Neethi Kal’. In the sanctum, the extensive image of Masaniamman lying on her back measures about 15 feet long from head to foot. The gigantic image of Masaniamman is painted with flashy colours. Here, one can see Goddess Masaniamman in the lying posture. The idol has four hands, two hands placed on the ground, two hands raised above. While the top left hands hold a skull and snake and other two hands holding drum and a trident. On Tuesdays and Fridays devotees rush to this temple, during Krithigai and New Moon day they undergo special pooja. There is a historical background for the configuration of this powerful temple. Anaimalai, a place near Pollachi was ruled earlier by the king called Nanan. He treated their people very badly. During his reign he had a very big mango tree in his farm on the riverside of Aaliyar, which was very special to him. He was so particular that nobody was permitted to use neither mangoes nor its leaves. Once,a gang of girls went to river to take bath they noticed a mango floating on the river which belongs to Nanan's tree, one of the girl picked up and ate the fruit. Even after several pleadings made by her father, instead of excusing her the king sentenced her to death. After some time villagers in that area formed a female statue in lying posture using sand in graveyard with the remembrance of innocent girl and worshipped as ‘Masani’. Later Kozhinkhosargal defeated king Nanan and destroyed the mango tree. It is also believed that Lord Rama on his way in search of Seetha was attracted by this powerful temple and made meditation over here which adds glory to this temple. So, once you visit Pollachi don’t miss to worship Masaniamman. Thirumurthy Hills	Thirumurthy Dam
It is situated at the foot of Thirumurthy Hills adjoining the Thirumurthy Dam. This is about 20 kms from Udumalpet on the highway from Palani to Coimbatore. A perennial stream flows by the side of the Amalingeswarar temple and near by there is a water fall. The Crocodile Farm at Amaravathy Dam is nearby. This place is being developed as District Excursion Centre.
The Siruvani Waterfalls and Dam
Siruvani Waterfalls and the dam named after them are located 37 km west of Coimbatore in the Western Ghats; the road to the falls leads past the historical villages of Perur, Mathampatty and Alandurai. Water from Siruvani river is renowned for its taste and mineral properties, and the view from the falls and the dam is a great tourist attraction.[1][2] It is one of the main water sources of Coimbatore city. This Waterfalls and the Dam are about an hour's drive from Coimbatore. Bus lines 59C, 59, 14E, and the Sirvani and Sadivayal buses, ply at regular intervals from Coimbatore.

Amaravathy Dam & Crocodile Farm 

The steep Amaravathy dam across the river amaravathy is 25 Kms from Thirumoorthy Dam. There is a well laid-out park where one may climb the steep steps on the dam to have picturesque view north of the plains below and south to the Annamalai Hills and Palani Hills above. It is being developed as a district excursion center for tourism.
The Amaravathy Sagar Crocodile Farm, established in 1975, the largest Crocodile nursery in India is nearby. Many Crocodiles of all sizes can be seen basking in the sun and suddenly making a stride or piled up on one another. Eggs are collected from wild nests along the perimeter of the reservoir to be hatched and reared at the Farm. Many adult crocodiles have been reintroduced from here into the wild.  

Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary:

This Sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 mts in the Western Ghats near Pollachi (about 90 Kms from Coimbatore). The area of the sanctuary is 958 sq.kms.

It has various kinds of fauna like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth-bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal, pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, red-whiskered bulbul, black headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, green pigeon, etc. The Amaravathy reservoir in the Anamalai has a large number of crocodiles. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karainshola, Anaikunthiashola, grass hills, waterfalls, groves, teak forests, estates, dams and reservoirs.

Valparai
 
Valparai is one of the attractive scenic tourist spots in Tamil Nadu. It is located above 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Annamalai mountain range. It is a town located on the western ghats, 105 km away from Coimbatore.
In Valparai, there are several tea and coffee estates, dams, water falls and 15 tea factories. Valparai totally gives us a wonderful natural scenery, which stands majestically with forest all around. Sholayar Dam in Valparai is a fantastic dam to watch. Other important places to visit around Valparai are Balaji temple, Puncha Mugha Vinayagar Koil and spread across tea estates.

Palani
 
A major pilgrimage centre, Palani is situated on the edge of the great Vyapuri tank. Palani is a municipality in Dindigal district, located about 60 kms from Dindigal. This temple draws more than 7 million devotees every year to offer their prayers to Lord Muruga.


Its hilltop Subrahmanyam temple is the most famous of the six abodes of Muruga, the son of Shiva, who is said to have come here disguised as a mendicant after quarreling over a fruit with his brother, Ganesha. Popularly known as Dandayutha Pani ("Bearer of the Staff"), Murugan is depicted with a clean shaven head, holding a stick. His image is made of medicinal herbs, mixed together to create a wax-like substance. During the Thaipoosam festival, the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims, many of whom shave their heads as an act of worship. An electric cable car takes devotees up the 600 steps to the hill shrine. Palani is also a base for hikes in the surrounding hills.

Athirampalli Falls
 
This particular falls has been featured in numerous films and advertisements. It is also called as ‘Punnagai Mannan Falls’, since this falls have been featured in Tamil film ‘Punnagai Mannan’.
It is about 35 km from Sholaiyar. Totally, it gives us mystic natural scenery on the way to Athirampalli Falls and Sholaiyar.
 
Monkey Falls
 
It lies on the foothill of Valparai. It is about 5 km from Aaliyar. It is continuing waterfalls, one can relax their mind and body by taking Ayurvedic bath in this falls.

Chinnakallar Falls

Chinnakallar is geographically an important place. It is about 26 km east of Valparai. It is known as Cherrapunji of Tamil Nadu. It is the second place in receiving maximum rainfall next to Cherrapunji. The hanging bridge is built across the falls is full of enchantment and thrill. This area always found wet and misty. Chinnakallar is full of greenish dense forest with tall majestic trees which gives a pleasant nature. It has the falls which sounds like a roaring lion.

Rhythm Falls
Rhythm falls is about 30 km from Sholaiyar and 5 km ahead of Athirampally falls. Water droplets from the falls scattering on adjoining road gives an excitement show.