Santosh pathak at 00:23, 4 May 2026

2026-05-04T00:23:59Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Karaikudi
| official_name =
| other_name =
| settlement_type = [[Municipal corporation (India)|Municipal corporation]]
| nickname =
| motto =
| image_map =
| mapsize =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu
| pushpin_map_caption = Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.
| pushpin_label_position = right
| coordinates = {{coord|10.073500|N|78.773200|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = Tamil Nadu
| subdivision_name2 = [[Sivaganga district|Sivaganga]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Chettinad]]
| established_title = 
| established_date = 1801
| named_for = [[Canthium coromandelicum|Karai]] plant
| governing_body = [[Karaikudi Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = S. Muthudurai ([[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]])
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 13.75
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 118
| population_total = 303,714
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank = [[List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population|30th]]
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 630001<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://pincode.hindiastar.com/TAMIL-NADU/SIVAGANGA/karaikudi-h.o
|title=Karaikudi H.O Pin Code Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, India
|website=PinCode
|access-date=2026-02-22
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
| area_code = 04565
| area_code_type = [[Telephone Area Code|STD code]]
| registration_plate = TN-63Z
| website = {{url|tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/}}
| footnotes =
| image_karaikudi junction =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]],
[[English language|English]]<ref name="langoff">{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=29 March 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
| imagesize =
| image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 300 | image_style = | perrow = 2/2/2
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Alagappa University Facade.jpg
| caption1 = Alagappa University
| image2 = Tamilthai temple.jpg
| caption2 = [[Tamil Thai]] Temple
| image4 = Karaikudi Valar tamil noolagam.jpg
| caption4 = Valar Tamil Noolagam
| image5= Vallal Alagappa arch Kottaiyur.jpg
| caption5 = [[Alagappa Chettiar]] Arch
| image6 = Central Electrochemical Research Institute Main block.jpg
| caption6 = [[Central Electrochemical Research Institute]]
| image7 = Commercial Street of Karaikudi at Night.jpg
| caption7 = Sekkalai Road
}}
| image_caption =
}}
'''Karaikudi''' is a city and [[List of municipal corporations in Tamil Nadu|municipal corporation]] in [[Sivaganga district]] in the Indian [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. It is the [[List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population|largest]] city in the district, and the centre of the [[Karaikudi Metropolitan Area]], that forms part of the [[Chettinad]] region.

Karaikudi is administered by the [[Karaikudi Municipal Corporation]], which was established in 2024. It forms part of the [[Karaikudi Assembly constituency]], which elects a member to the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]], and is a part of the [[Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency]], which elects its member to the [[Lok Sabha]]. It is one of the cities selected for development under the [[Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation]] project of the [[Government of India]] in 2015.

==History==
The name Karaikudi might have been derived from the thorny plant [[Canthium coromandelicum|karai]] or the type of houses in the area built with [[limestone]] called 'karai'.<ref name="CERI">{{cite web|url=https://www.cecri.res.in/AboutUs/AboutKaraikudi.aspx|title=Karaikudi|work=[[Central Electrochemical Research Institute]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> The town was established in the early 19th century, and the oldest known structure is the Koppudaiya Nayagi Amman temple. In the 20th century, the town became a trading center, which led to further development of housing and industries in the region.<ref name="Muncip">{{cite web |title= Historical Moments|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/abcity_Historical%20Moments.htm|work=[[Karaikudi Municipal Corporation]]|access-date=8 August 2013|archive-date= 5 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130905020633/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/abcity_Historical%20Moments.htm|url-status= dead }}</ref> During the [[Indian Independence movement]], [[Bharathiyar]] visited Karaikudi in 1919 to participate in an event,<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Malarmannan|title=Madhabhimana Sangam|magazine=Thinnai|date=17 January 2011|url=http://www.thinnai.com/index.php?module=displaystory&story_id=21101175&format=html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001635/http://www.thinnai.com/index.php?module=displaystory&story_id=21101175&format=html|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=1 June 2011}}</ref> and [[Mahatma Gandhi]] visited the town in 1927.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/mahatma-gandhis-tamil-nadu-visits/article29572786.ece|title=Mahatma Gandhi's tamil nadu visits|date=2 October 2019|access-date=1 June 2020|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> After Indian independence, the town saw significant growth in the industrial sector.<ref name="Muncip"/>

==Geography==
Karaikudi is located in [[Sivagangai district]] in the [[Chettinad]] region.<ref name="UNESCO">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5920/|title=Chettinad, Village Clusters of the Tamil Merchants|work=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="TP">{{cite report|url=https://tcp.tn.gov.in/storage/app/document/N3PkOOXvnVHxp4VFyfYprjJrUDxOW1GUy3oDZnXo.pdf|title=Karaikudi Town Planning Report 2024-25|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>{{rp|page=6}} The [[Thennar River]] flows through the southern part of the town.<ref name="CERI"/> The town has predominantly flat terrain, with rocky crystalline formations concentrated on the western side, along with [[clay]] and [[limestone]] deposits. The region has red [[laterite soil]], generally unsuitable for [[agriculture]].<ref name="Muncip"/> Other types of soil such as [[alluvial soil]] are found in certain patches.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=10}} Groundwater is typically found at shallow depths of {{cvt|3–6|ft}}, and rises during the [[monsoon]]. The region has a [[tropical climate]] with hot summer with average temperature of {{cvt|37|C}}, and mild winter with average temperature of {{cvt|22|C}}.<ref name="Muncip"/> The town receives an average annual rainfall of about {{cvt|87.28|cm}}, with almost 60% of the rainfall coming from the [[northeast monsoon]].<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=10}}

== Demographics ==
{{bar box|title=Religions in Karaikudi (2011)<ref name="Rel"/>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Tamil Nadu|Hinduism]]|darkorange|83.9}}
{{bar percent|[[Tamil Muslim|Islam]]|green|11.4}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Tamil Nadu|Christianity]]|dodgerblue|4.3}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.4}}
}}
As per the [[2011 Census of India|2011 census]], Karaikudi had a population of 106,714 inhabitants with a [[sex ratio]] of 1,000 females for every 1,000 males. There were 10,619 children under the age of six, consisting of 5,405 males and 5,214 females. The child sex ratio was 965 girls per 1000 boys. The average literacy rate was 90.49% of which male and female literacy was 94.71% and 86.29% respectively. There were about 11,040 in slums which housed a population of 44,025 inhabitants. This is around 41.26% of total population of Karaikkudi city. The larger [[Karaikudi Metropolitan Area]] had a population of 181,851 as per the census.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/485-karaikkudi.html|title=Karaikkudi|work=Census 2011|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> [[Hinduism]] is the majority religion with 83.9% of the population adhering to it, followed by [[Islam]] (11.4)%, and [[Christianity]] (4.3%).<ref name="Rel">{{cite report|year=2011|title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: Tamil Nadu|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11392/download/14505/DDW33C-01%20MDDS.XLS|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

==Administration and politics==
{| class="toccolours" style="clear:right; float:right; background:#ffffff; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em; width:220"
|-
!style="background:#A8BDEC" align="center" colspan="2"|'''Elected members'''
|-
|align="center"|Mayor||S. Muthudurai ([[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]])<ref name="Mayor"/>
|-
|align="center"|Member of Legislative Assembly||S. Mangudi ([[Indian National Congress|INC]])<ref>{{cite web|title= MLA of Karaikudi|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/members/constnamewise.htm|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|year= 2016|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|Member of Parliament||[[Karti Chidambaram]] ([[Indian National Congress|INC]])<ref>{{cite web|title=General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2009, name and address of the elected members of parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/tnmp/mptn-ls.htm|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220706/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/tnmp/mptn-ls.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>
|}

Karaikudi was constituted as a [[List of urban local bodies in Tamil Nadu|municipality]] on 9 May 1928, and was upgraded to Second Grade in 1973, to Selection Grade on 14 December 1988, and to special grade on 28 May 2013.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=4, 8}} The [[Karaikudi Municipal Corporation]] was established in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=CM Stalin announces creation of 4 new corporations in TN, total goes up to 25 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Mar/16/cm-stalin-announces-creation-of-4-new-corporations-in-tn-total-goes-up-to-25 |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=16 March 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Karaikudi set to become municipal corporation|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pudukkottai-namakkal-tiruvannamalai-and-karaikudi-set-to-become-municipal-corporations/article67954145.ece |access-date=15 March 2024| work=[[The Hindu]] |date=15 March 2024}}</ref> The city covers an area of {{cvt|13.75|km2}}.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=5}} The larger Karaikudi planning area consists of the town and the nearby [[town panchayat]] of Kottaiyur and ten other revenue villages.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=5}} The corporation has 36 wards, each represented by an elected councillor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2022/03/WARD-1-to-WARD-36-1.pdf|title=Ward map of Karaikudi|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> It is headed by a mayor, who is elected by the councilors.<ref name="Mayor">{{cite web|url=https://www.tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/whos-who/chairman/|title=Chairman|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, engineering, revenue, public health, city planning and information technology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm|publisher=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration, [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> It is one of the cities selected for development under the [[Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation]] project of the [[Government of India]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tufidco.in/amrut.aspx|title=Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation|work=Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tcp.tn.gov.in/amrutscheme|title=AMRUT scheme|work=Directorate of Town and Country Planning, [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=20 December 2023|archive-date=20 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220210400/https://tcp.tn.gov.in/amrutscheme|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Karaikudi is a part of the [[Karaikudi (State Assembly Constituency)|Karaikudi assembly constituency]], which elects a member to the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] and forms part of the [[Sivaganga (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency]] that elects it member to the [[Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/Const_map/map.htm|title=List of Assembly Constituencies| year=2010|access-date=28 December 2012|work=Government of Tamil Nadu}}</ref> Law and order is maintained by the Sivaganga sub division of the [[Tamil Nadu Police]], which operates three police stations, and is headed by a [[Deputy Superintendent of Police|deputy superintendent]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Karaikudi Police|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/srv_police.htm|work=Karaikudi municipality|access-date=29 December 2012|year=2011|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095343/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/srv_police.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Chettinad palace.jpg|thumb|A palatial mansion in [[Chettinad]] region]]

Karaikudi and the surrounding villages are the center of the Chettinad culture. The region consists of buildings and palatial mansions built in the unique Chettinad architecture from the 1850's to 1940s.<ref name="UNESCO"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Architectural Heritage Safeguard|url=http://www.wmf.org/project/chettinad|work=World Monuments Fund|access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> The 'thousand window' house and the place of the Raja of Chettinad are notable examples of this architecture.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=91}}<ref name="Arch">{{cite web|year=2011|title=Places of interest in Karaikudi|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/abcity_Place%20of%20interest.htm|access-date=8 August 2013|work=Karaikudi Municipality|archive-date=21 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321150826/http://www.municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/abcity_Place%20of%20interest.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Chettinad cuisine]] belongs to the region.<ref name="UNESCO"/> There is a temple dedicated to [[Tamil Thai]] (Tamil Mother), which opened in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Main Places of Interest in Chettinadu|url=http://tamilnadutourism.org/Places/CitiesTowns/Chettinad2.aspx?catid=0103P03|work=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=பேசும் மொழிக்கு "ஒரு கோயில்"|lang=ta|trans-title=Temple for a language|url=http://www.dinamalar.com/News_Detail.asp?Id=385854&Print=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226134614/http://www.dinamalar.com/News_Detail.asp?Id=385854&Print=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 February 2014|access-date=24 November 2015|work=[[Dinamalar]]|date=14 January 2012}}</ref> There are [[mandapa]]s dedicated to poets [[Kamban]] and [[Kannadasan]].<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=92}}<ref name="Arch"/>

Siravayal manjuvirattu, a type of [[jallikattu]] bull taming festival is held during the annual [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] festivities at Siravayal, near Karaikudi.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/all-set-for-manjuvirattu-at-siravayal/article30578303.ece|title=All set for 'manjuvirattu' at Siravayal|author=Staff Reporter|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=16 January 2020}}</ref> Prominent temples in the region include Koppudaiya Amman temple,<ref name="Muncip"/> [[Ariyakudi]] Thiruvenkatamudayan temple,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/ariyakudi-where-the-lord-appeared-for-his-devotee/article29909322.ece|title=Ariyakudi: where the deity appeared for His devotee|last=S.|first=Prabhu|date=7 November 2019|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=9 November 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> [[Karpaka Vinayakar Temple|Pillayarpatti Karpagavinayagar temple]],<ref name="Arch"/> [[Kundrakudi]] Shanmughanathar temple,<ref name="Arch"/> and Mathur Ainootreeswarar temple.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=91-97}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tntemplesproject.in/2021/12/22/ainootreeswarar-mathur-sivaganga/|title=Ainootreeswarar, Mathur, Sivaganga|access-date=1 June 2022|date=22 December 2021|work=Temples Project}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Tidel Neo Park Karaikudi.jpg|thumb|[[TIDEL Park]] at Karaikudi]]

Karaikudi is the economic center of the Chettinad region.<ref name="UNESCO"/> The [[Nagarathar]] community of the region, who were involved in [[commerce]], [[banking]] and [[money lending]], led to the economic growth of the region in the second half of 19th and early 20th century.<ref name="UNESCO"/><ref>{{cite book|title=Asian Trade Routes|last=Haellquist|first=Karl Reinhold|date=21 August 2013|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=978-1-136-10074-1|page=150}}</ref> Heritage tourism has been developed in the 21st century.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heritage Tourism waiting to be tapped|date=2 February 2006|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/heritage-tourism-waiting-to-be-tapped/article1723584.ece?ref=archive|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/tamilnadu/2019/07/26/karaikudi-a-magnificent-chettinad-town-with-glorious-history-tradition|title=Karaikudi: A magnificent Chettinad town with glorious history, tradition|date=26 July 2019|work=[[DT Next]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> [[Indian Overseas Bank]] was founded by [[M. Ct. M. Chidambaram Chettiar]] in 1937, and opened one of its first three branches in Karaikudi.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Overseas Bank that had a humble beginning|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/bank-that-had-a-humble-beginning-has-more-than-3000-branches/article69252067.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=23 February 2025|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> Major industries in the region include [[chemicals]], [[engineering]], [[leather]], and [[powerloom]].<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=103}} Agriculture is a significant contributor, with [[rice]] being the major crop, and other crops that are grown include [[millets]], [[cereals]], [[pulses]], [[sugarcane]], and [[peanut|groundnut]].<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=74, 103}}

Athangudi tiles are cement tiles used in the construction of palatial houses in the town and is a major handicraft industry.<ref>{{cite web|title=Legacy of Athangudi tile|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-propertyplus/legacy-of-athangudi-tiles/article3534495.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=4 August 2013}}</ref> [[Kandangi]] is a type of [[cotton]] sari woven in the Chettinad region, and is a recognised [[List of geographical indications in India|Geographical Indication]] (GI).
<ref>{{cite web|title=Kandangi Saree weavers|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/tamil-nadu-to-help-weavers-of-kandangi-sarees/article4627284.ece|work=[[Business Line]]|access-date=1 June 2015|date=2 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=12 November 2019|first=Sruthi|last=Raman|title=TN's Kandangi sari gets GI tag. What does this mean for the state's handloom market?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tns-kandangi-sari-gets-gi-tag-what-does-this-mean-for-the-states-handloom-market/articleshow/71092224.cms|access-date=25 November 2020|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Chettinad Kottan]] are [[palm leaf]] baskets woven by the women of the region, and are noted for its unique style and colors. It was granted a GI tag in 2013.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://ipindia.gov.in/registered-gls.htm|title=Geographical indications in India|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=3 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203233006/https://ipindia.gov.in/registered-gls.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=GI tag for Nachiarkoil lamp and Pattamadai mat|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/gi-tag-for-nachiarkoil-brass-lamp-pattamadai-mat/article4483398.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 June 2025|date=2 August 2013}}</ref> [[Aavin]] operates a dairy and milk processing facility in Karaikudi, with a capacity of 50,000 liters per day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Unions - Tamilnadu Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation Limited|url=https://aavin.tn.gov.in/unions/-/categories/57440 |access-date=12 April 2024|work=[[Aavin]]}}</ref> In February 2026, [[TIDEL Park]], an [[Information Technology]] [[Special Economic Zone]] was established in Kalanivasal near Karaikudi.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/cm-opens-agri-law-colleges-tidel-neo-park/articleshow/127827046.cms|title=CM opens agri, law colleges, Tidel Neo Park|date=1 February 2026|access-date=1 February 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tidelpark.com/blog/tags/tamil-nadu.html|title=TIDEL park|work=TIDCO|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
Water supply is provided by the municipal corporation with water drawn from several borewells.<ref>{{cite web|title=Water Supply Details|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_watersupply.htm|publisher=Karaikudi Municipality|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-date=4 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130904054149/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_watersupply.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, about 45 metric tonnes of solid waste was collected by the local body.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waste management programme|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_solidwastemanagement.htm|publisher=Karaikudi Municipality|access-date=1 June 2012|year=2011|archive-date=4 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130904054215/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_solidwastemanagement.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> There was about {{cvt|46.55|km}} of storm water drains in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Storm water drains|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_stromwaterdrainage.htm|publisher=Karaikudi Municipality|access-date=1 June 2012|year=2011|archive-date=4 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130904054217/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_stromwaterdrainage.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The roads and street lights are maintained by the local body.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karaikudi street lights|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_streetlight.htm|publisher=Karaikudi Municipality|year=2011|access-date=1 June 2012|archive-date=4 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130904054138/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_streetlight.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Electricity supply to Karaikudi is regulated and distributed by the [[Tamil Nadu Electricity Board]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Important Address|url=http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf|publisher=Indian Wind Power Association|access-date=1 June 2012|year=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016045943/http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf|archive-date=16 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The local administration operates a daily market and three farmer markets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karaikudi markets|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_markets.htm|publisher=Karaikudi Municipality|year=2011|access-date=1 June 2012|archive-date=4 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130904054230/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/sal_markets.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> There is a government hospital and 13 private hospitals in the town.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hospitals in Karaikudi|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/srv_hospitals.htm|publisher=Karaikudi Municipality|access-date=1 June 2012|year=2011|archive-date=4 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130904054149/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/srv_hospitals.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Karaikudi Junction Entry.jpg|thumb|[[Karaikudi Junction railway station|Karaikudi Junction]]]]

Karaikudi is served by the [[Karaikudi Junction railway station|Karaikudi Junction]] of the [[Indian Railways]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://southernrailway.gov.in/sr/passing.jsp/|title=Karaikudi Railway|work=[[Southern Railway Zone]]|access-date=25 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410144604/http://southernrailway.gov.in/sr/passing.jsp/|archive-date=10 April 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is located on the [[broad gauge]] line connecting [[Chennai Egmore]] and [[Rameswaram railway station|Rameswaram]].<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=120}}

There are two bus stands–Rajaji bus stand in the north west part of the town, and a new bus stand on the eastern side. [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation]] operates inter-city bus services to major towns across Tamil Nadu. Private bus operators run moffusil buses to select cities such as [[Bengaluru]], [[Chennai]], [[Coimbatore]], and [[Tiruppur]].<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=120}}

There is an unused [[Chettinad Airport|airstrip]], which has not been in use since the 1950s. In 2016, the [[Government of India]] unveiled plans to reopen this airfield under the [[UDAN]] scheme.<ref>{{cite news|date=27 February 2017|title=Chettinad Group ready to support efforts for mini airport|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/chettinad/article17378317.ece|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ramakrishnan|first=T.|date=22 November 2016|title=Centre identifies 13 unserved airports in TN under Udan scheme|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Centre-identifies-13-unserved-airports-in-TN-under-Udan-scheme/article16722066.ece|access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref> The nearest airports are [[Madurai Airport]] at [[Madurai]], located about {{cvt|86.6|km}} from the town, and [[Tiruchirapalli International Airport]] at [[Tiruchirapalli]], located about {{cvt|86.9|km}} away.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=6}}

==Education==
{{see|List of educational institutions in Karaikudi}}

[[File:Government Law College Karaikudi Entrance.jpg|thumb|Government Law College, Karaikudi]]

Karaikudi serves as the headquarters of the Karaikudi Educational District. {{As of|2011}}, there were six government schools, six government-aided schools, and nine private schools.<ref name="Edu">{{cite web|title=Educational Institutions|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/srv_edu.htm|publisher=Karaikudi municipality|access-date=1 June 2012|year=2011|archive-date=4 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130904054142/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi/srv_edu.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are three engineering colleges, six arts and science colleges, four teacher training colleges, three polytechnics, and a law college.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=173}} There is a government operated Industrial Training Institute at Amaravathi near Karaikudi.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=174}} The city is home to Alagappa University, and its affiliated colleges–[[Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology]], Alagappa Government Arts College and Alagappa Polytechnic College.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://agptc.ac.in/about.php |publisher=Alagappa Polytechnic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017173739/https://agptc.ac.in/about.php |archive-date=17 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="Edu"/>

The [[Central Electrochemical Research Institute]] was established by the Government of India on 25 July 1948. It operates various research centers, and is involved in petrochemical and marine research.<ref name="TP"/>{{rp|page=173}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi|Karaikudi's official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060811024857/http://www.sivaganga.tn.nic.in/ Sivaganga District Administration]

{{Sivaganga district}}

{{Municipalities of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Chettinad}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Karaikudi| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Sivaganga district]]

Karaikudi - Revision history

Santosh pathak at 00:23, 4 May 2026