Coimbatore is a major engineering-cum-textile centre in Tamil Nadu. It has an enviable location of being close to the Nilgiri hills and the Kerela border which is just a couple of hours` drive from here. Hill stations like Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Munnar and Thekkady wildlife sanctuary are easily accessible from Coimbatore. The district is also known for several ancient temples. In the city, there are shrines dedicated to Ratna Ganapathi, Koniamman and Kamakshi. At Peelamedu there is a Devi temple dedicated to Sri Akhilandeswari.

The pilgrims can start their pilgrimage tours with Perur. It is located at a distance of 7 km from Coimbarore. This is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva temple. Here the god is referred to as Patteeswarar and the tourists will also find His consort Pachainayaki. Perur is one of the six `Thandava Sthalams.` It is believed that here the Lord performed `Ananda Thandavam.` The excellent temple sculptures are worth a close look.

The next stopover can be Marudamalai, located12 km away from Coimbatore. Here is a Muruga temple atop a 600-foot high hill in beautiful surroundings. The Lord is known by different names like Marudamalai Andavar, Marudachalapathi and Dandayudhapani. The waters in the Marutha Theertham and Snakecharmer`s Spring are said to possess medicinal properties.

There are other shrines too. These include:-

•Soolakkal Mariamman temple (25 km)

•Avinasi Siva temple (40 km)

•Thirumuruganpundi (5 km from Avinasi)

•Temple of Shiva worshipped by Muruga

•Kapaleeswarar Temple in Erode (89 km)

•Bhavani (12 km from Erode)

•Sangameswarar Temple

•Chennimalai (30 km from Erode)

•Dandayudhapani Temple

•Kodumudi (40 km from Erode)

•Trimurthi Temples

•Bannari (83 km from Coimbatore)

•Mariamman Temple