Coimbatore an ancient city, was the capital of a small tribal village, Kongunad, before the 2nd century AD until it was brought under Chola control in the 2nd-3rd centuries 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.

Today, Coimbatore (Kovai in Tamil) is a commercial city of considerable importance; it is home to over 60 spinning and weaving mills and textiles is its main industry. It is also well known for motor sports with regular events being held at the Kari Motor Speedway.

Sights to See

Perur Patteeswarar Temple
Built by Karikala Chola, this temple dedicated to lord Shiva is situated near river Noyyal. The presiding deity of the temple (Shiva) is known as Patteeswarar and his consort Pachai Nayaki; the sculptures in the hall called Kanagasabai are exquisite. This hall is also known as Mel Chidambaram. This temple is at its colourful best in March, when the Panguni Uthiram festival is celebrated.

Marudhamalai Temple
This temple, located on a hillock, is dedicated to lord Murugan and the presiding deity is known as Dandayuthapani.

Agricultural University
Though it came into existence only in 1971, its ancestry is much older and can be traced back to an agricultural demonstration farm started in Saidapet Madras in 1968. This farm was shifted to Coimbatore in 1970 and the agricultural college was later converted into the Tamil Nadu agricultural university as it is known today. This is the 16th agricultural university in independent India.

G.D. Naidu Industrial Exhibition
This exhibition was established by late G.D. Naidu, a technocrat who made invaluable contribution in the fields of agriculture and engineering.

Karaimadai Ranganathar Temple
This is the second oldest temple in Coimbatore and w was built by Vijayanagara kings.