10 Best Things To Do In Karaikudi, India

1. Have a feast at Indrani Mess - Seafood Restaurant

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you get a hankering for seafood while in Karaikudi, come to Indrani Mess for a dinner feast. This seafood restaurant delivers some of the freshest catches right into your belly. For the classics, you can’t go wrong with prawn biryani and Kudampuli fish curry. There’s also the spicy crab fry and crab masala that will leave you wiping off the plates with your fingers. Want to make your festivities extra special? You can get party orders from this establishment too.

Indrani Mess - Seafood Restaurant

Address: Vairavapuram, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu 630003, India

Website: Indrani Mess - Seafood Restaurant

Opening hours: 12pm - 10:30pm (daily)

2. Stay at Chettinadu Mansion

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

In case you haven’t found an accommodation around Karaikudi just yet, why not make this fine place your home-away-from-home? Chettinadu Mansion in Kanadukathan is a three-star hotel that will leave you in awe with its grandeur and ornate architecture. The heritage palace was originally built in 1902 and features wooden furnishings, Italian marble floors, and an outdoor swimming pool. There is an on-site restaurant that serves a delicious breakfast and dinner, a la carte style, as well as high tea.

Chettinadu Mansion

Address: 11, A.R.Street, Kanadukathan, Tamil Nadu 630103, India

Website: Chettinadu Mansion

3. Appreciate the crafts at Sri Mahalakshmi Handloom Weaving Centre

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Witness a work of art in action when you stop by Sri Mahalakshmi Handloom Weaving Centre. This clothing mini-factory manufactures beautiful saris that are pure cotton or with silk details. You will see local women showcase their expertise and make some of the best woven saris you’ll ever find. You will get to appreciate just how much hard work goes into this manner of crafting saris. For a truly valuable piece to take back home with you, consider purchasing a sari from Sri Mahalakshmi.

Sri Mahalakshmi Handloom Weaving Centre

Address: Handloom Weaving Centre, CHETTINAD, K.M.Street, Kanadukathan, Tamil Nadu 630103, India

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

4. Pray at Kundrakudi Murugan Temple

High on the list of most visitors to Karaikudi is a visit to Kundrakudi Murugan Temple. Also called Shanmughanathar Temple, this place of worship is dedicated to the six-faced god, Lord Shanmuga or Lord Murugan. The images of his wives, Deivanai and Valli, are found striding the sides of his image. Aside from Lord Shanmuga’s image, you will also see the images of other gods like Nav Nakshatras, Kulandivappar, Bhairava, Ganesha, and Shiva. This place to visit in Karaikudi is set on top of a small hill which makes it look majestic. First-time visitors should not miss visiting this place and pay their respects to Lord Murugan.

Kundrakudi Murugan Temple

Address: Kallukatti, Karaikudi, Karaikudi Taluk 630001, India

Opening hours: 6am – 11am, 4pm – 8pm (daily)

5. Celebrate Sevvai Perum Tiruvizha at Koppudai Ammam Temple

One of the must-see temples in Karaikudi is the Koppudai Amman Temple. This Karaikudi tourist place is where the Sevvai Perum Thiruvizha festival is celebrated for 10 days. The temple is dedicated to the Amman and her followers feel blessed just by her presence. She is acclaimed as a healer of various diseases. The temple has ample space for visitors to move around in. Thousands of devotees flock to the temple during the festivities. Terracotta figures of cows and horses are lined-up and hand-painted. These are worshipped during the festival. This is one of the meaningful celebrations you will experience in Karaikudi.

Koppudai Amman Temple

Address: Koppudai Amman Temple, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu

Opening hours: 6am – 11am, 4pm – 8pm (daily)

6. Shop at Kalukatti Main Bazar

Kallukatti is a small area found within Tamil Nadu. What makes this area special to visitors is that it has become a huge mecca for shoppers. Shopping is one of the favored things to do for visitors. This Karaikudi shopping place will not disappoint in this aspect of your travel. Its main bazar draws in thousands of shoppers every day. It offers a myriad of items at low prices that you do not have to bargain on certain products. Native handicrafts sell like hot cakes in this part of town. Souvenir items like T-shirts and other clothing pieces are snatched off the racks the whole day. There is also food, gadgets, and furniture for those interested in these items.

Kallukatti Main Bazar

Address: Kallukatti, Tamil Nadu, India

7. Learn more about hand-made tiles at Athangudi

Athangudi is a village situated close to Karaikudi. One of the local products that have captured the attention of visitors from all over the world is the hand-crafted tiles. These tiles are made from terracotta clay and are strictly manufactured in this village. If you want to see how these are made, all you have to do is walk the streets of Athangudi. Chances are you will get to see sidewalk artisans create these colorful tiles. These are shaped to your desired size. It is placed under the sun to dry out. It is then painted in various designs. This is what makes the tiles a favorite of travelers.

Atanghudi Tiles

Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 8am – 8pm; Sun: 8am – 1pm

8. Visit Kottaiyur PKACT House

PKACT House is one of the amazing sites you will see in Karaikudi. Built in the early part of the 1900s, the well-maintained mansion shows the perfect marriage of modern contemporary and traditional design concepts. The property is like a museum where the works of Ravi Varma are on full display. But this is just one reason why you should visit the place. Kottaiyur is where PKACT House is located. This area has a teeming tourism industry because of destinations like the PKACT House. This is just one of the reasons why Kottaiyur is a popular travel destinations near Karaikudi.

PKACT House

Address: Kottaiyur, Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu

9. Buy the best snacks

There are a number of snack items that you can buy in Karaikudi. Athirasams, shaped like a doughnut, is popular in southern India. Murukkus, that originated in the Tamil Nadu district has a savory flavor and crunchy texture. Kaimurkku is also a savory treat made from Urad dal and rice flour. Thenkuzhal is a snack that dominates the tables during the Deepawali. Manakolam is a deep-fried treat, a blessing for the sweet tooth. Maaladdu is a pastry that uses roasted gram flour that adds tremendous texture to it. Thattai is popular during Sri Krishna Jayanthi and Janmashtami festivals, so if you are around during that time of the year, you can gorge on these awesome snacks. Seepu Seedai is a popular traditional snack which is made from coconut milk, dal, and rice flour. Kalakala, also called diamond biscuits because of its shape, is a fine accompaniment to go with filter coffee. Try all but pick what suits your taste bud.

10. Try the most flavorful dishes

Karaikudi will treat you to amazing food if only you know what to choose. There are many dishes that you can sample and we have listed the best. Dal with leafy greens has two main ingredients (toor dal and a green, leafy vegetable like kale, bokchoy or spinach). Drumstick Poriyal includes green drumstick mixed with masala and sautéed in tomatoes and onions. When in Karaikudy, Rasam is what you should not miss. It is known by a lot of names. It is a soup dish made sour by the addition of kokum or pressed juice of tamarind. The broth is flavored with cumin and other spices. Meat curries are popular in Karaikudi with mutton meat as the preferred ingredient. Chefs also use chicken, fish, crab, and prawn to bring in variety.

Karaikudi is magical

Come and visit Karaikudi and experience a magical place filled with tradition and culture. This is the place to go if you want to see temples and traditional sites. The food here is exceptional and is considered one of the best among all that Indian cuisine has to offer.