General Information

The Union Territory of Puducherry has been formed consolidating four erstwhile French establishments viz Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Karaikal District is one of the four regions of the Union Territory of Puducherry and is next to Puducherry in area and population.  It is about 300 Kms. South of Chennai and about 135 Kms. from Pondicherry on the East Coast.  It is surrounded by the Nagappattinam and Thiruvarur Districts of Tamil Nadu State.

From Times immemorial, Karaikal has been known for its rich religious heritage. One of sixty three saivait Nayanmar, Punithavathiyar’s birth place is Karaikal which is mentioned in Periya Puranam. Karaikal region has three major religious Communities viz. Hindu, Muslim and Christian.

It is an ideal place for those who like to seek solitude, leisure and serenity on the shore.  With rivers and beaches, it is untouched by tourists.  The French flavour still persists in the peaceful land of Karaikal.

The pilgrim tourist visiting Tamil Nadu never fail to include this temple town in their itinerary.

• Area : 161 Sq. Kms.
• Population : 2 00 222 (2011 Census)
• Climate : Tropical

Karaikal region is fed by river Cauvery and its tributaries and the cultivated lands situated in and around Karaikal region are mainly depending on Cauvery waters. Karaikal region gets an average rainfall of about 126 cm. Out of which a major portion of rainfall is recorded between October to December.