Karaikal Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Karaikal

Karaikal Sandy Beach is perhaps one of the most beautiful beaches to be found in southern Tamil Nadu. Unexploited by tourists, this beach provides solitude and serenity to water lovers. The road has been widened by 2 km along the Arasalar river, making it accessible to the public. Well known for its water sports, you should certainly go boating in Arasalar, which is the backwaters of the Bay of Bengal.

The boat club provides peddlers, motor boats and rowing boats to the tourist. There is also a children’s park for the little ones, a few beach restaurants and a tennis court. Make sure that you go there at the right hours to experience the sunrise or the sunset, during which the beach is at its best.

Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple is a shrine where Karaikal Ammaiyar, a famous Bhakti saint, is being worshipped. She was the only woman amongst the sixty-three Nayanmars. This small yet beautiful temple was built by Malaiperumal Pillai in 1929. This temple contains an enormous idol of the goddess also famous as Goddess Punithavathi.

The locals worship her for her supernatural powers. The legends say that when her husband deserted her and married another woman, she prayed to Lord Shiva and asked him to turn her into a demoness. Later she inhabited the jungles of Alangadu.

Impressed by her devotion, Lord Shiva gave her the name of Mother Ammaiyar and announced that when he performs the Tandava, she would sing for him. Every year the Mangani festival is celebrated in the Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple during the month of June-July on the day of the full moon in the month of Aani, a Tamil month. People throng to the temple to offer their prayers during these days.

Akalankannu village is about 9.4 km away from the Karaikal town. This village is a prime attraction for tourists visiting Karaikal. Considered as one of the biggest villages in Karaikal district, the place is famous for its water works and numerous ancient temples. The village is famous for the Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple. The water works of Akalankannu serve as the fountainhead and provide water to the entire Karaikal town. The Akalankannu village also holds archaeological importance since several idols and images were unearthed here from numerous sites.

Mela Kasakudy is one of the most popular villages of Karaikal district and is located 7 kilometres away from Karaikal town on the Karaikal-Nedungadu Road. It is famous for the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, which was constructed in the 12th century. Protected by the state authorities as an ancient monument, the stone carvings on the exteriors and interiors of the temple attract visitors.

It is also recommended to visit the Sri Naganatha Swami Temple while you are in the village. Mela Kasakudy is mainly a tourist attraction during the celebrations of Thiruvathirai, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Masi Mangam and Chithirai Pournami. This place has been an attraction to pilgrims and tourists alike due to its religious and architectural significance.

Dharmapuram is located 1.8 km away from Karaikal town. It is on the western side of Karaikal district. Dharmapuram is renowned for the shrine of Sri Yazhmurinatheeswar. It is popularly believed that Saint Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and sang a pathigam in the name of the deity Sri Yazhmurinatheeswar. There are many budget accommodations nearby the area.

Keezha Kasakudy is located 4 kilometres away from Karaikal town. It is on the northern part of Karaikal district and is well renowned for the archaeological significances the place holds. M. J. Delafon discovered the famous Kasakudy copper plates in the village around 1879.

The copper plate ascribed to Nandivarman - II, which is located at the centre of the village, showcases the rich cultural and traditional values of the natives who lived here during the Pallava rule. The ancient temple of Lord Shiva is another major attraction of the place. Keezha Kasakudy is a must visit for people who are interested in history and culture.

Ponbetti village is said to have derived its name from Ponabattri, which means the home of Ponpattrikavaln Buddhamitran. Ponpattrikavaln Buddhamitran, the author of the Veerachozhiam, is believed to be the native of this village. His name signifies that he was a follower of Lord Buddha.

The traces of Buddhist influence can be seen clearly in the architecture of the place. The Shiva temple that was constructed in the shape of the Buddha Vihara is one of the main attractions here.

Puttakudi is located at a distance of about 7 km from Karaikal town. The name, architecture and culture of the village suggest its Buddhist influence. This village is famous for the granite statue of Lord Buddha, which was excavated from the premises a long time ago.

Travellers to this village can also pay a visit to Puthamangalam and Agaraputhakudi, two of its neighbouring villages.

Sir Kailasanathar is possibly one of the oldest surviving temples. It is believed to be around 2000 years old but is said to have been reconstructed during the eighth century by the Pallava rulers. It is located opposite the famous Ammaiyar Temple.

The temple was reconstructed in parts during the time of French rule. The temple is dedicated to Lord Kailasanathar and Goddess Soundrambal. The most attractive part of the temple is perhaps the four elaborate doorways. The entrance of the shrine of Subramaniar faces the doorway to the west.