The Coimbatore city is a traditional, multi-cultural inclusive society with its people still retaining their roots to their native surrounding villages and its culture. The people of Coimbatore are known for their well-cultured manners, honesty and hospitality.

        
                            A Hindu temple in Coimbatore                        

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 [http://www.iskcon-coimbatore.org 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.