Best Travel to Karaikudi
Situated in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu between Trichy and Rameshwaram, Karaikudi is an interesting place to travel to. The place derives its name from the famous plant "Karai" which abounds in the area. A great place of religion and learning, it attracts tourists from the length and breadth of the country. The place of this site is secured in any itinerary of the best Indian travel.
Karaikudi is famous for its temples specially the ones dedicated to the Elephant God Ganesha or locally known as Pillaiyar. The most famous of them is the Peliyarpatti temple, which attracts a great amount of devotees.
Karaikudi is also the ancestral home of the Chettiyars, a business community that did overseas business with Burma and Singapore in pre-Independence times. The Chettiyars of Karaikudi have therefore been non-Resident Indians for a long time, but have always come back home to celebrate festivals, marriages and other auspicious occasions. As a result the Chettair house is very large and accommodates all the relatives that gather there. Houses stretch from one street to another. The front as well the back of these houses face streets. Furniture and accessories used in putting up these houses has the best of stuff available in those times. The tiles, mirrors, glasses and the wood are all imported from all over the world. The Chettiar house typically has a grilled courtyard at the center with rooms all round it. There are generally two floors of rooms. Karaikudi's houses are architectural art pieces in their own right.
Because of the Chettiyar house had the best of china, furniture and other things, an antique enthusiast will find many things of interest here. There are many shops catering to this hobby of travelers. Karaikudi is a haven for antique stuff. Karaikudi is also famous for its Carved Wooden Panels that are patterned in the old style. Remember to carry a piece and see appreciation pour in from friends.
Chettinad Cuisine is very famous and is very spicy. South Indian restaurants the world over offer Chettinad dishes, but nothing like tasting the stuff right at its birth place. Served on banana leaves, the Spicy Chettinad dishes followed by the sweet dishes is a treat. Karaikudi offers a variety of sweet dishes and bland south Indian fare so those sensitive to spicy food can go for these bland yet tasty items.
The biggest urban center of the Sivaganga district, Karaikudi is home to the famous educational Institution, Alagappa University. Its urban nature also allows better facilities for the traveller in terms of places of stay and general conveniences.
Places of interest:
Kamban Mani Mandapam
Legend has it that Kavi Chakravarthy Kamban, the great Tamil poet and writer of the Ramayana in Tamil, spent a large part of his life in this place. Kamban Mani Mandapam was built in his honor and programs on Tamil literature are held here every year.
Kaviarsar Kannadhasan Mani Mandabam
Kaviarsar Kannadhasan Mani Mandapam has been constructed in memory of late poet-laureate Kannadhasan. Equipped with two entrances it has an art gallery and a library where you can get abundant information about the life of Kannadhasan.
Karaikudi is also famous for the rock-cut Pillaiyar Patti Temple. Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple is the one of the main attractions of the town. Also called Sivan Temple, the shrine was constructed 1872. This temple boasts 108 statues of Ganapathy Vinayak. The palace of the Annamalai Maharaj and other Chettiyar houses are a grand treat not to be missed.
