WELCOME TO KARAIKAL HOMEPAGE

Karaikal History

Several explanations are offered for the word 'Karaikal'.

The imperial Gazetteer gives it themeaning 'fish pass'.

According to Julien vinson the town is said to have known as Karaigiri in Sanskrit.

However, the name Karaikal is no doubt a combination of two words 'Karai' and 'Kal'.

Both the words 'Karai and 'Kal' have several meanings, of which the more acceptable ones are 'lime mix' and 'canal' respectively.

Hence it has been suggested that the name may mean a canal built of lime mix.

However, no trace of such a canal is evident now.

In 1738 Dumas, a shrewd calculative prudent man and a lover of peace and above all one who was anxious to extend the French territory in India by smooth means, negotiated with Sahuji of Thanjavur for possession of Karaikal, the fortress of Karakalcheri and 5 village for 40000 chakras.

On 14.2.1739 the French took possession of Karaikal town the fort of Karakalcheri and 8 dependent villages.

The king of Thanjavur raised the price for the town of Karaikal and the fort of Karakalcheri to 50000 chakras.

He also demanded a loan of 150000 chakras without interest repayable in 3 years against the hypothecation of Mayavaram lands and an annual rent of 4000 pagodas for 5 villages.

The French agreed to all the terms except for the payment of 150000 chakras which was reduced to 10000 chakras while the annual rental was reduce to two or three thousand chakras.

The villages so received were Kilaiyur, Melaiyur, Puduthurai, Kovilpathu and Tirumalairayanpattinam.

Subsequently 2 villages were ceded to the French.

Pratap Singh who succeeded the throne renewed demand for a loan of 100000 chakra and on receipt of the first instalment of 4000 chakras he assigned 8 more villages to the French viz., Codague (Kondagai), Vanjiyur, Arimullimangalam, Niravi, Dharmapuram, Uzhiapathu, Mattakudi (probably Mathalangudi) and Polagam.

Then on 12-2-1740 , he sold for 60000 chakras these villages which he had assigned only the previous year for 40000 chakras. The same year he pledged Thirunallar Mahanam for 55350 chakras and also pledged 33 villages for 60000 chakras.

By a treaty signed on 12.1.1750 Pratap Singh ceded to the French 81 villages around Karaikal and cancelled the annual rent of 2000 pagodas payable for the villages.

This was all the territory the French possessed around Thanjavur when they surrendered to the British in 1761.

The territory then passed twice to the British control before it was finally handed over to the French in 1816/1817 under the Treaty of Paris, 1814.

The formation of Karaikal national congress on 13.6.1947 and Students Congress on 31.1.1947 symbolised the first concrete expression of popular desire in Karaikal for freedom from French rule.

The French ruled this district till 31st October, 1954 on which date the French flag flying atop the government house at Karaikal was lowered with due military honours before a large gathering of officials and non-officials.

Thus the de facto transfer of power took place on 1st November 1954 followed by de jure transfer on 16th August 1962 .

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GENERAL AND TOURIST INFORMATION ABOUT KARAIKAL ________________________________________________________________________________

Area... .... 160sq.Km Population...1,45,715(1991 census) Climate ...Tropical

HOW TO GET THERE

BY AIR

The nearest airport is Trichy 168 Km away.

RAIL

The nearest Railway Station is Nagore, 10Km away.

ROAD

Karaikal is connected by roads directly form Chidambaram, Trichy, Nagapattinam, Nagore, Velanganni and Thanjavur.

Thirunalar-5Km

Nagore-10Km

Nagapattinam-19Km

Valanganni-26Km

Chidambaram-57Km

Pondicherry-132Km

Trichy-168Km

Chennai-294Km

BUS SERVICE

State Service State transport buses and other private buses are available.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

Taxis, Auto-rickshaw and other private busses are available.

Karaikal is one of the four regions of the union territory of Pondicherry.

It is about 132Km. south of Pondicherry.

From time immemorial, Karaikal has been known for its rich religious heritage.

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 flavor still persists the peaceful land of Karaikal.

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

RESTAURANTS/EAT OUTS

Seagulls, Beach Road, Karaikal

Hotel Paris International, Bharathiyar Road, Karaikal.

Hotel Nala, Bharathiyar Road Karaikal.

Hotel Chettinad, Bharathiyar Road, Karaikal.

Hotel Chola BharathiyarRoad, Karaikal.

Hotel Mayura, Thirunallar Road Karaikal.

Hotel Aryabhavan, Thirunallar Road, Karaikal.

Hotel Mathura, Market Street, Karaikal.

ACCOMMODATION

Govt.Tourist Home Koilpathu, Karaikal.

Presidency lodge, Bharathiyar Road , Karaikal.

Moon Park Hotel, Thirunallar, Karaikal.

Municipal Motel, Bharathiyar Road, Karaikal.

PSR Lodge, Bharathiyar Road Karaikal.

PWD GuestHouse, Beach Road, Karaikal.

Paris international, Bharathiyar Road Karaikal.

City Plaza, Karaikal.

Hotel Prabu, Bharathiyar Road, Karaikal.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Temples:

The total number of Hindu temple in the region are said to be 99.

Seasonal festivals are conducted every year during June - July and October-November.

IMPORTANT TEMPLES

Lord Darbaraneswara Temple:

Saturn is housed in the famous Lord Darbaraneswara temple at Thirunallar, 5Km west of Karaikal town. This temple also has an "Emerald Lingam" (symbol of Lord shiva).

Ammaiyar temple at Karaikal is dedicated to a celebrated woman Siva Saint "Punithavathi" and subsequently elevated to the status of a goddess.

Jadayupureeswar temple at T.R. Pattinam is located 5Km south of Karaikal; it bears the memory of the kind bird "Jadayu" of the Ramayana epic.

Mastan Syed Dawood Dargah at Karaikal is dedicated to the memory of a descendant of the prophet who came to Karaikal form Beughara.

Our Lady Angels church is Karaikal was originally built in 1740 and rebuilt in 1828.

NAGORE ANDAVER DARGAH (TAMILNADU) This is one of the biggest Muslim pilgrimage centers in India and is locate 10 Km south of Karaikal.

VELANGANNI CHURCH (TAMILNADU) It is a famous Christian pilgrim shrine, 26 Km away form Karaikal

. Tharangambadi or Tranquebar (Tamilnadu);

Where the dancing waves sing eternally.

It is a Danish settlement with and ancient fort.

It is a place where the first printing press in India was established. it is located 10Km north of Karaikal.

BEACH

The vast silent stretch of crowd less windy shore is an ideal place to seekers of solitude Boating Club, Arasalar Boating club is located on the backwaters of the Arasalar, stretching over a distance of 1.75Km from the town.

A straight road running along the banks of the river connects the sandy beach and sea with the town:

The boating club provides peddler, motor and rowing boats to the tourists.

INFORMATION COURTESY THE ASST. DIRECTOR. INFORMATION&PUBLICITY KARAIKAL.