Karaikal is a town of the Indian Union Territory of Puducherry. Karaikal became a french India colony in 1674 and held control until 1954, when it was incorporated into the Republic of India, along with Chandernagore, Mahé, Yanaon, and Pondichéry. Karaikal is bounded on the North and South by Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu state, on the west by Tiruvarur district (also belonging to Tamil Nadu), and on the East by the Bay of Bengal. The enclave is located 140 kilometres (87 miles) south of the city of Pondicherry. The Name of Karaikal is Originated from a Combination of the 2 Words Karai and Kal, It is said to be a Corruption of Karaikadu meaning a forest (Kadu)..
Forming a part of the fertile Cauvery delta, the region is completely covered by the distributaries of Cauveri river. Karaikal is known for the only temple devoted to the Lord Saneeswara at Thirunallar. Our Lady of Angels Church built in 1891 is the most prominent church in the town. Karaikal region is made up of Karaikal municipality and Nedungadu, Kottucherry, Neravy, Thirunallar, Tirumalarajanpattinam, Poovam, and Varichikudy communes. Tirumalairayanpattinam, is known for the famous Ayirankaliamman temple that opens for darshan once in 5 years, the region is famous as birthplace of Karaikal Ammaiyar, one of the 63 nayanmar that lived in Karaikal.
She is one of the renowned saints, who devoted their life for lord shiva. She was called “ammaiye” means mother by lord shiva. Karaikal is an industrial town with large number of industrial units providing employment to people from TamilNadu also. Tamil language is mainly spoken here but older generations are very fluent in French as well. Well connected by road, rail and air Karaikal has an Airport which is being constructed as a greenfield project. It is the first airport in the country built entirely with private capital. Also Karaikal port, a deep sea water port.is being built now.
there are numerous places to visit in and around Karaikal, these include Sri Saneeswara bagavan Temple at Thirunallar, Karaikal port., Karaikal Ammayar Temple, Karaikal Ammaiyar Theppa kulam, The Church of Our Lady of Angel, Aayiram Kaliamman temple, Bhadrakaliamman Temple at Ambagarathur, Abirami amman temple at Thirukadaiyur, Singaravelavar temple at Sikkal, The Christian Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health at Velankanni, Nagore Andavar Dargah, Danish Fort at Tanquebar. is the former Dutch colony where the first printing press in the world was started by Bartholomew Ziegenbalg, in 1706.
Karaikal is known all over India for its unique festivals. Lord Saneeswara (Lord Saturn) at Thirunallar where Sani Peyarchi festival is held. Also called the “Kumb Mela of Pondicherry” it attracts lakhs of devotees. At Karaikal Ammayar temple the annual “Mangani” festival. Kandoori festival celebrated by Karaikal Dargah and the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrated by Our Lady of Lourdes Church attracts tourist from across Tamilnadu and neighbouring states. Mas Maagam, annual festival takes place on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Masi when deities from as many temples in and around Karaikal are brought in ceremonial processions to the seashore for a symbolic immersion ceremony.
The most important deity, which takes part in the festival, is Sowriraja Perumal of Thirukannapuram village in Tamil Nadu area. Three or four times in a year, local temples conclude their annual festivals with hundreds of men, women and children walking on fire for fulfilment of their vows. Kandoori festival celebrated by Karaikal Dargah at Mastan Syed Dawood Dargah in Karaikal is celebrated in honor of Syed Dawood, a Sufi saint who came to India in search of his spiritual guide, Halareth Syed Ahamed Kalkhel Diwan Oliulla, and spent his last years of his life in Karaikal. The annual festival is marked by processions, music and dance. Other places worth visiting include karaikal, beach, and Jambunatha temple built by Thirumalai Rayan of Vijayanagar empire in 15th century.
