Karaikal district

Karaikal (also "Karikal" or "Karaikkal") is one of the four districts of the Union Territory of Puducherry in India.

area_total = 160 km²

Geography

Karaikal is a small coastal enclave of territory which was formerly part of French India. Together with the other former French enclaves of Puducherry (formerly known as Pondicherry), Yanam, and Mahé, Karaikal forms the Union Territory of Puducherry. Karaikal is bounded on the North and South by Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu state, on the west by Tiruvarur district (also belonging to Tamil Nadu), and on the East by the Bay of Bengal. The enclave is located 132 km south of the city of Puducherry, and is known for its rich cultural heritage.

2004 Tsunami: On the 26th of December 2004 , Karaikal faced its worst tragedy in recent memory. Tsunami waves hit this coastal town and more than 500 people, mostly fishermen and their families, were washed away by the killer waves.

Places of interest

Its calm beaches are the prime tourist attraction of Karaikal. Several tourist destinations that lie in neighbouring Tamil Nadu are within easy distance of Karaikal. These include the temples of Sani; the temple of Shiva at Tirunallar; the Christian shrine and basilica at Velankanni; and the Muslim dargah at Nagore. Other local sights include the church of Our Lady of Angels; Karikal Ammaiyar Temple; The dargah of Mastan Syed Dawood; the Bhadrakaliamman Temple at Ambagarattur; the Lord Darbharanyeshwar Temple at Tirunallar; and the Ayiramkaliyamman Temple at Tirumalrayanpattinam. Ten kilometres to the North of Karikal is the former Dutch colony of Tranquebar (Tharangambadi).

ee also

*French colonial empire
*French East India Company
*French India

:Pondicherry-geo-stub