Why visit Kilakarai
Townapedia lists 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include Kilakarai lighthouse.
Weather in Kilakarai
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Kilakarai
Kilakarai (alternatively spelled Kilakkarai or Keelakarai) is a town in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As of 2021, the town has a population of approximately 60,000. Known for its rapid development, Kilakarai is one of the fastest-growing talukas in the Ramanathapuram district. The town is also home to a number of prestigious businessmen and entrepreneurs who have made their mark globally.
From the Wikipedia article Kilakarai (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do1
Healthcare5
History
Kilakarai is an eastern coastal town and a port, located in southern Tamil Nadu. It was a flourishing seaport and a gateway to places as far as Madurai until the early 20th century. The famous pearl belt known as the Gulf of Mannar in the Bay of Bengal is dotted with small islands Appa Tivu, Nallathanni Theevu, Shuli Tivu, Uppu Tanni Tivu, Talari Tivu and Musal Tivu. The coastal line of Kilakarai is formed by a series of small bays and coral reefs sheltering the town from the ocean. It was also called as "Quilicare", kirkari, Sembi Nadu, Korkai, Powthira Manicka Pattinam, "Kelikkarai", "Ninathaan mudithaan pattinam", "Seppi Nadu", "lebbat pattan" (pattan mentioned in voyages of Ibn Battuta & map displayed in Ibn Battuta Mall). A strong cultural connection exists between Kayalpatnam, Adirampattinam and Kilakarai.
The prime occupations of the people were pearl, conch, sea trade and transport. The mid-20th century saw a decline in the occupations of the people of Kilakarai, with the advent of surface transport the merchant shipping fleets declined and Kilakarai aka Killikare ceased to be a harbour and port. The cultured pearl industry and dragnet fishing that destroyed the coral reefs choked the once robust pearl trade, or Muthu Salabam.
From the History section of Kilakarai on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Map of Kilakarai
6 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Tuticorin Airport (TCR) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 100 km away.
- Periyapattinam 14 km east, about 14 min by car
- Ramanathapuram 16 km north, about 16 min by car
- Vālāntaravai 16 km northeast, about 16 min by car
- Panaikulam 24 km northeast, about 24 min by car
- Devipattinam 30 km northeast, about 30 min by car
- Mudukulathur 32 km west, about 32 min by car
- Mandapam 37 km east, about 37 min by car
- Sayalgudi 38 km west, about 38 min by car
- Tiruppālaikudi 38 km north, about 38 min by car
- Paramagudi 41 km northwest, about 41 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- KILAKARAI LIGHTHOUSE, Kilakarai photography, CC BY-SA 4.0
Page built November 3, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.