Situated
in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu between Trichy and Rameshwaram,
Karaikudi is the biggest city in Chettinad and is famous for its Ganesha
Temple, Saris, Distinctive Cuisine and Majestic Mansions. Comprising about
72 villages of which many of them were once the homes of wealthy merchant
families known as the Chettiars. Today, it is an area of mostly deserted
splendid mansions. The place derives its name from the famous plant "Karai"
which abounds in the area.
How to reach there ?
» By Road - Karaikudi is connected by Road with all
important towns. Regular bus services are available from Trichy ,
Madurai,Palani, and other cities.
» By Train - There are many train services operating
in Karaikudi Railway Station.
» By Air - Nearest Airport is Madurai 90 kms, Trichy
100 kms.
Must Visit :
» Kamban Mani Mandapam - It is believed that the
great Tamil poet and writer of the Ramayana in Tamil, Kavi Chakravarthy
Kamban spent a large part of his life in this place. Kamban Mani Mandapam
was built in his honor by Nagarathars. Programmes on Tamil literature are
conducted annually.
» Kaviarsar Kannadhasan Mani Mandabam - Kaviarsar
Kannadhasan Mani Mandapam was built in the honor of late poet-laureate
Kannadhasan. There is a statue of Kaviarsar Kannadhasan between the two
entrances. It has an Art Gallery and a Library.
»
Pillaiyar Patti Lord Ganesha Temple - Karaikudi is famous for this
rock-cut temple which is located about 12 kms from Kraikudi on the Karaikudi
Madurai road. About 1600 years old, this temple was built by the early
Pandiya kings after cliching a hillock. The image of Karpaga Vinayaka and
that of a Siva Linga were carved out of a stone by a sculptor called
Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan who put his signature on a stone inscription found
even today in the sanctum.
» Chettinad Museum - This house converted into a
museum is a must visit place in Chettinad. There are traditional jewellery
and clothing, huge copper water vats and grain bins and various other
everyday items that trace the chettiar's way of life.
» Athangudi - Home of the famous Athangudi tiles.
Tourists can visit the factory to see how these famous handmade terracotta
tiles are patterned and sun-dried.
» Devakottai - The region’s second largest
town, it is famous for the Devakottai chicken. Its streets are lined with
old Chettinad mansions, the most famous being Periya Minor's Veedu, complete
with Spanish tiled roof, Italian floor tiles and carved teak pillars.
» Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple - This 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.
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