Abt My place-Karaikudi

I am basically from Karaikudi located in sivagangai district,TamilNadu.It is somewhere nearby trichy and madurai.Nearly 2 and half hours travel by bus to both places from Karaikudi.It is known as capital of chettinad because of the predominance of "Naatu kottai chettiars" there.All the Chettiars there belong to one of the nine temples like maathur,pillayarpatti and so on.They wont marry someone belonging to the same temple.If there is no boy kid in the family most of them will adopt a boy.Adoption is very common but they won't adopt a child rather they will adopt a grownup boy at the age of 20,when the parents are nearing 60.They can adapt boys only from the same temple.The concept is all the people belonging to one temple are considered as brothers and sisters.
There are lots and lots of temples in and around karaikudi.There is one koppudiamman temple in the center of the town which we call as "kallukatti".There is two more big temples sivan temple and muthaalamman temple is also located very near to that.The Famoust temple pillayarpatti which is turning out to be a tourist spot nowadays is nearly 10Km away from Karaikudi.My house is in Muthupattinam and there is one very famous temple called MuthuMaariamman temple.
The Native place for all the naatu kottai chettiars are karaikudi and places nearby karaikudi like devakottai,aaravayal,aathangudi,kottaiyur.In earlier days people from here went to malaysia and other foreign countries and earned lots.So almost all the houses there will have 2 gates.Front gate at one street and bag gate will be in the next street.Nowadays most of the houses are locked or there will be 2 aged people in the house.The houses are opened only at the time of some family functions.
The Marriage function of all the Naatu kottai chettiars will be held for 2 to 3 days with lots and lots of formalities.The bride's side people should bare all the marriage expenses and there will be lots and lots of dowry.Just try to attend one marriage function there.The food will be really nice.They will provide food 4 times everyday.Chettinad is well known for non-veg and spicy foods.
The Kamban Manimandabam,Vallal Allagapar Statue, Kavi Arasar Kannadhasan Manimandabam and Periyar Statue carries honour to Karaikudi.
I did my schooling fully in karaikudi,so i was there for nearly 18 years.Since i am doing my college in coimbatore and project in bangalore,I am missing my hometown lots.