KaraikudiKaraikudi & Chettinad  History of the cityKaraikudi is a city and a municipality in Sivaganga District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the largest city in Sivaganga district, and is known as the capital of Chettinad region, which comprises Karaikudi and 74 other villages. Chettinad is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars. Karaikudi got its name because the area is famous for the type of houses built with limestone called “Karai veedu” and also may be due to a plant called “Karai” which is widely spread over this area. GeographyAs of 2004 India census Karaikudi had a population of 132,294. Karaikudi is located in Sivaganga district between Trichy and Rameshwaram road. Earlier it was a small village in Ramanathapuram district. In 1928 it was changed from Panchayat to Municipal. The city was well facilitated with Railways and Roadways in 1930. The river Thennar flows through South of Karaikudi. Chettinad PalaceThe famous Chettinad mansion also known as the Raja' s palace at Kanadukathan.It was constructed by S.A.R.Ramaswamy Chettiar. The construction was started in 1902 and it took 10 years for completion. It is huge extending over 40,000 square feet and rooms embellished with use of Burmese teak wood, Italian marble and English steel. It is just 10 km from Karaikudi. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The MuseumAt Chettinad, house- converted to museum next door to the Raja' s palace. This elaborate basket housed everything from masala dabbas (Spice Boxes) and choppers to rice bins and ladle sets. Then there' s traditional jewellery and clothing, huge copper water vats and grain every day to day items that trace Chettiars way of life. Chettinad Mansion is a heritage home bringing to its privileged clients the living style of the Chettiars. The flooring too varies from court to court. The various kinds of flooring include lime mortar, marble, Athangudi tiles, anai adi Kallu, etc.
Karaikudi day excursion trip to Pillayarpatti5Pillaiyarpatti TempleIt is situated 15kms west of Karaikudi 8kms east of Thirupattur and 68kms east of Madurai. At the end of the road here the famous Karpaka Vinayaka Temple can be seen. The village derives its name from the temple. The presiding deity is called Karpaga Vinayakar (God Ganpathi), and it is 6 feet high and 5 feet wide. People from various parts of the state come here everyday and large number of pilgrims assemble here during the festival season.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
