Karaikal: 12 kms. from Nagore. It was once a French settlement and a trading centre. The place has become famous due to the situation of the temple for the saint Karaikal Ammayar. The real name of the saint was Puithavathiar (which means a lady of merit). She grew up as a great devotee of Shiva and gave a masterly exposition of the Shaivite philosophy by composing several splendid hymns in Tamil. She has been immoratalised as one of the Nayanmars. The life of Ammayar is depicted during the Mangavi festival at Karaikal every year in the Tamil month of Ani.