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The people of Coimbatore are known for their well-cultured manners, honesty and hospitality.There are numerous temples in the city including the Perur Temple, the Konniamman temple and the Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple. The Mariamman festivals, at the city's numerous Amman temples, are a major event in summer.
A replica temple of Tirupathi is located in Valparai and another near Mettupalayam. A famous ISKCON temple is also located 9 km from the city. It is a famous temple dedicated for Lord Krishna. Marudamalai, a well known shrine to Murugan, is close to the city.
Coimbatore has also been an abode for many siddhars or rishis, who were also experts in medicine, alchemy and astrology. The most prominent of them was Pambatti Siddhar who is said to have lived in Marudamalai. Many of his findings are recorded as poems.
The mosques on Oppanakara Street and Big Bazaar Street date back to the period of Hyder Ali. Christian missions date back to 1647 when permission was granted by the Nayak rulers to set up a small church in Karumathampatti (12 km).
It was destroyed by Tipu Sultan's army resulting in a new church in 1804. In 1886, Coimbatore was constituted as a diocese after bifurcating with Pondicherry. Sikh Gurudwaras and Jain Temples are also present in Coimbatore.
Many locations in the city including Kottaimedu have Muslims and Hindus living together which is also considered very sensitive as these locations become the prime target of crime during communal riots as was witnessed years back in the city. However, Coimbatore nowadays is a much more tolerant city.
Cuisine
The cuisine is predominantly south Indian with rice as base, has a less spicy Coimbatore flavour with variations to suit local palette. Most locals still retain their rural flavour and non-vegetarians are in large numbers.
Many restaurants serve food over a banana leaf. North Indian, Chinese and continental cuisines are also available. Mysorepa from Krishna sweets, Idly, Dosa and Vada-Sambar from Annapoorna chain of restaurants and Biriyani from Angannan Shop are popular among the locals.
The city has many evening outlets such as Bhel Puri, Vada-Bonda vendors that make up a local hangout for the youth. Recently, the influx of coffee shops has increased the quality of such hangouts.
Some very popular brands such as "Annapoorna", "Sri Krishna Sweets" and "Angannan" originated in Coimbatore. Some famous restaurants are "That's Y Food, Fodder Factory, Annapoorna, Peking, Annalakshmi etc."
Pollachi Fair
It takes place on Thursdays. On these days, Pollachi puts on a crowded appearance. It is an established market for the products of the Annamalai hills, Palghat area and the Pollachi valley.
The merchandise sold includes paddy, garments, pulses, coconuts, groundnuts and all varieties of oil, fruits, vegetables, hides and skins and poultry. Elephants captured from nearby forests and also timbers (for which those forests are famous) are sold.
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