Culture
Located 140 km south of the city of Pondicherry, 300 km south of Chennai and 180 km east of Thiruchi, Karaikal is known for its rich religious heritage, and is a destination for those seeking leisure and serenity. The town enjoys a harmonious society made up of Hindus, Muslims, Christians and people of other religious persuasions. Tamil is the predominant native language of the people. As the area was formerly a French possession, the French language is also found, especially among the elder generation.
Karaikal is known all over the country for its unique and the only temple devoted to the Lord Saneeswara (Lord Saturn) at Thirunallar. Karaikal is the Gateway to various places of worship in the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. Two famous shrines, Velankanni for Christians and Nagore for Muslims are nearby Karaikal. The French flavor still persists in the peaceful land of Karaikal.
In Tirumalairayanpattinam, there is a famous temple called Ayirankaliamman temple, ayiram means 1000. We can see this god once in 5 years, because whatever offerings are given to this god, it should be 1008. So they will open for 3 days once in 5 years, and many devotees from all over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will come and worship.
Economy
Most of the people in town are office bearers, industrial workers. There are a number of iron and steel rolling mills, spinning mills, tiles, polythene, rubber and chemical industries in Karaikal. And other sources of the people's income is of business. The prominent source of income of this district is agriculture and fishing. Karaikal is a coastal town with a total coastline of 26 km. There are 12 big fishing hamlets and around more than 25000 fishermen (6000 families) are living in these coastal villages. And their main employment is fishing, exporting and fishing related activities. The other main source is liquor business, the tax is less and the cost is almost half when compared to neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Karaikal is one of the towns in South India with high cost of living due to French NRI's presence. Thousands of families of origin of Karaikal live in France.
Educational institutions
According to the 2001 Census, Karaikal has literacy rate of 83%. There is a wide network of Educational Institutions right from the Elementary level to Collegiate level in Karaikal region.
National Institute of Technology is recently opened in Karaikal.Closing ranks in AIEEE for this NIT is around 13k all India and 100k for local students.
Karaikal has many schools,From primary to higher secondary.Arignar Anna Govt. Arts College,Avvaiyar Govt. Women college,Bharathiyar college of Engineering & Technology,Vinayaga Mission Medical College are well known institutions of Karaikal RVS is another private instituation who opened their Education trust in Karaikal. PERUNTHALAIVAR KAMARAJAR INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (PKIET) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture & Research Institute PAJANCOA & RI is the only PG institute having its main campus in Karaikal. It is also the only Agriculture Institute in U.T. of Puducherry
