Karaikal is an important pilgrimage town with it's Shiva Darbaranyeswar temple and the Ammaiyar temple, dedicated to Punithavathi -- a shaivite saint, subsequently elevated to the status of Goddess. This former French enclave, now part of the Union Territory of Pondicherry, has little lingering French influence. There is a beach, about 2 km from the town, where boating is possible on the nearby estuary.