KARAIKAL AMMAIYAR TEMPLE

Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple is situated in Barathiar Street in the center of Karaikal Town which is at a distance of 1.5 km from Karaikal Railway Station.
The Karaikal Ammaiyar temple is dedicated to celebrate a woman Saiva saint, PUNITHAVATHIwho is one of the 63 Nayanmars of the Lord Siva. The temple has an interesting story of Bhakthi Movement in Tamil Nadu that has happened in the 7th Century A.D. The MANGANI (MANGO FRUITS) Festival is celebrated every year during the full moon day of the Tamil month Aani (June – July). At that time Lord Shiva’s idol will be taken in a procession through the main street and Mangoes will be showered.

KARAIKAL AMMAIYAR TANK

This holy tank called as ‘Chandra Theertham’ and is situated in the southern side of Karaikal Ammaiyar temple is used as a ‘Theppa-Kulam’ for the temple which was revitalized recently under the centrally sponsored scheme to strengthen the tank bund and to form pathways around the tank which adds beauty to the temple. Nowadays this tank has become a destination for evening gathering for the people of Karaikal.

OUR LADY OF HOLY ANGLES CHURCH

This church was built in the18th century during the French regime. It is known for its architectural beauty in dictate stained glass windows and its decorated marble altar. The church has a lofty in parsing look with its133 feet tall louver, the tallest land mark of the town housing three huge clocks and five large bells.

SRI DHARBARENESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUNALLAR

Sri Saneeswarar Temple, also known as Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple is one of the most popular Shani Temples in India and is located in Thirunallarcommune which is 6 km away from Karaikal Railway Station. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Dharbaranyeswara Temple houses a rare MarakataLinga.
This temple was renovated in 7th century and depicting the story of King Nala and Queen Dhamayanthi. The main deity is Lord Dharbareneswara(Siva) with Pranambika. The famous Saturn is housed on the left side near the main entrance of the temple.
Only in this temple the lord Saturn is facing the eastern side. Once in 21/2 years the displacement the lord Saturn from one planet to another is marked through the celebration of Sainpezarchi Festival and this festival attracts more than three lakh devotees.

NALANKULAM TANK, THIRUNALLAR

According to the legend the King Nala and Queen Dhamayandhi after taking bath in this holy tank worshiped the lord Siva and Saturn for getting relief from the agony.
Nowadays all the people are taking bath in this tank before worshiping the deities of the temple. In Saturdays alone more than 25 thousand people are taking bath in this tank. For the Convenience of the yatri/pilgrims this tank has been rejuvenated under the thirunallar temple Town Development Project.

MASTAN SAHEB SYED DAWOOD DARGAH

The Mastansahebseyeddawood dargahis located at a distance of 1.2 km from Karaikal Railway Station.Mastan Syed Dawood Dargah is famous for a tomb that houses the relics of Syed Dawood, the Muslim saint born at Bukkara, the capital of Turkistan. Constructed in memory of the descendant of the prophet, the dargah celebrates the Kandoori festival to pay homage to him.Staying in the region during his entire lifetime, the saint died at the age of around 120 years.
The dargah is adorned with flowers and other decorative materials during the annual ‘Kandoori’ festival, which is marked by processions, music, dance and display of fireworks.

ECO BEACH MANGROVE FOREST

Karaikal Beach / Eco beach Mangrove Forest is located at a distance of 1.5 km from Karaikal Railway Station.Birds of various categories migrated to Karaikal Mangrove forest add to its beauty.Karaikal Beach is one of the best natural beaches in the South Tamil Nadu. It is one of the famous tourist attractions in Karikal located on the banks of Arasalar River. The beach has been given easy accessibility by widening the 2 km road along the Arasalar River and by illumination of the road, now known as Beach Road.

BADRAKALIYAMMAN TEMPLE IN AMBAGARATHUR

Badrakaliyamman templeis located at a distance of 16 KM from the Karaikal Railway station, in the west of Karaikal atAmbagarathur village inThirunallar Commune.
The temple assumes the name of Goddess Parasakthiwho is believed to have killed a Rakhasha by the name Ambaran who was killing people day in and day out. At the time of the killing(Vadham) Ambaran was in buffalo form. The Place was initially known as Ambaran-urandha-oor meaning victory over Ambaran which subsequently became Ambagarathur in the Tamil month of Vaikasi.OnVaikasi every second Tuesday at 1:00 PM a buffalo was killed in proof of this event.However, buffalo killing was discontinued since 1965. But the pomp and glory of the festival still continues.

ARASALLAR BOAT HOUSE

Boat house is located on the back waters of the Arasalar River stretching over a distance of 2 Km from the town. A straight road (Beach Road) running along the bank of the river connects the sandy beach and sea Bank with the town. The Boat house provides peddler, motor and rowing boat to the tourists.

NITHYAKALYANA PERUMAL TEMPLE

NithyakalyanaPerumal temple is located at a distance of 1.5 km from Karaikal Railway Station. Sri Nithya KalyanaPerumal Temple is situated in the Bharathiar Road, on the southern side of Karaikal Ammaiyarwater tank abutting the Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple.
This temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu has an idol of Vishnu carved using a single stone in the lying posture (known as Ananthasayanam). The temple premises also have shrines of AlameluThaayar and Aandal.
Rama Navami, VaikuntaEkadasi, Hanuman Jayanti and the entire month of Margazhi are the festive days at this temple and large number of pilgrims visits the temple on these occasions.

KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE

Sri Kailasanathar Temple is a famous Old Hindu temple in Karikal located opposite to Sri Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple. It is believed that, this temple is around 2000 years old. In the 8th century, this Hindu temple was reconstructed by the Pallava rulers.During the time of French rule, a part of the temple was reconstructed.This temple has four elaborate doorways which is the biggest attraction in this temple.This temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and goddess Sri Soundrambal. The Mangani Festival is associated with both Kailasanathar Temple and Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple. The important figure of the Mangani festival, Lord Bikshatanamurthy is of the Kailasanathar Temple.The entrance of the shrine of Subramaniar faces the doorway to the west.
The chariot of Karaikal is dedicated to Kailasanathar Temple. The Karaikal Chariot festival is celebrated once a year. The idol of Lord Kailasanathar is taken in the chariot through the important streets of Karaikal.

TANTONDREESWARA TEMPLE

Sri Tantondreeswara Temple is an ancient shrine situated in Nedungaduat a distance of 9.5 km from Karaikal railway station.This temple is believed to have been constructed during the Chola period. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is also known as Tantondrinathar Temple.
Sri Tantondreeswara Temple is named after the local deity NedunthuyarTheerthaNayaki, meaning one who redressed the longstanding grievances of the people, the consort of Tantondrinathar or SwayambhuEswara. The temple was declared as a protected monument in 1971. The temple features many inscriptions on the outer walls of the sanctum. It is also believed that the temple was renovated by the Nayak Rulers of Thanjavur. Tourists throng to the temple especially during the celebrations of Thiruvadhirai festival and the annual festival at Sri Mariamman Temple.

AAYIRAM KALIAMMAN TEMPLE

AayiramKaliamman temple is located at a distance of 8 km from Karaikal. It is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Kali and is renowned for housing a wooden statue of the goddess in a box.
According to legend, a devotee of SengunthaMudaliar community had a dream to collect a Goddess Amman idol in silver box floating in sea. The next day he visited the sea shore and found the box with the idol of Goddess Amman with inscription in palm leaf indicating that this deity has to be worshipped with 1000 items daily.
Since performing puja with 1000 items could not be conducted daily, the people of the locality decided to have the puja conducted once in 5 years. Accordingly, even today during the Tamil month of Vaikasi, the festival is conducted for 3 days during the months of May and June. After the festival, the idol is kept back in the box to be opened during the next festival after 5 years. The temple will be kept open throughout the year but the original idol will not be available for darshan.