TIRUPPUR

city, western Tamil Nadu state, south-central India, on the Noyil River. It is an active cotton-ginning and distribution centre with rail connections to Coimbatore and Erode. The city became a major centre for the manufacture of cotton-knit textiles late in the 20th century. Tiruppur's name means holy city, and its Saiva temple attracts large crowds of pilgrims, especially at the time of the Hindu Rathayatra (chariot festival) celebrated in May and June. Pop. (1981) town, 165,223; metropolitan area, 215,859; (1991 prelim.) city, 235,076; metropolitan area, 305,546.