Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple is a Hindu Tamil temple dedicated to the goddess Punithavathi. It is located on Barathiar Street, in the center of Karaikal. Pondicherry, India.
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The temple was constructed by Malaiperumal Pillai in 1929. The main goddess is Punithavati, also known as Karaikkal Ammeiyar. There is also a sanctum for Vinayaka inside this temple.[1]
The Mangani Tirunal festival (the festival of the mango fruit) is observed in the Tamil month of Aani (June–July) on the full moon day. The belief is that Karaikal Ammaiyar gave Annam (food) to Bhikshatanar during his tour around the world begging alms. Since she gave him with curd rice and mangoes, those items are distributed on the festival day, in a big hall adjacent to the temple.[2]