Welcome to Karamadai, a small town located near Mettupalayam in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Situated on Coimbatore – Ooty NH 67, Karamadai is easily accessible and a great destination spot for people from nearby areas such as Teachers colony, Press Colony, Jodhipuram and Periyanaickenpalayam. The town is home to two prominent landmarks, the Ranganathaswamy temple and Nanjundeswarar temple, both of which are worth a visit. Karamadai came into the limelight due to the presence of ex-steel giant Sri Ramakrishna Steel Industries.
Geographically, Karamadai is located at 11.242800°N 76.958700°E / 11.242800; 76.958700. As of the 2011 India census, Karamadai is a Town Panchayat city in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. The city is divided into 18 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. The Karamadai Town Panchayat has a population of 35,166, with 17,557 males and 17,609 females. The population of children aged 0-6 is 3,056, which is 8.69% of the total population of Karamadai (TP). In Karamadai Town Panchayat, the female sex ratio is 1,003 against the state average of 996. Moreover, the child sex ratio in Karamadai is around 955 compared to the Tamil Nadu state average of 943. The literacy rate of Karamadai city is 84.62%, higher than the state average of 80.09%. In Karamadai, male literacy is around 89.04% while female literacy rate is 80.23%.
If you’re looking for a scenic drive, the Manjur Ghat is a great option. The route is Karamadai-Geddai-Manjur-Ooty, and it is a smaller ghat for local Coimbatore city traffic towards Ooty. It is used as a backup road on the rare occasions that both the Coonoor Ghat and the Kotagiri Ghat are closed. The road is narrow with many hairpin bends. At Geddai, near the bottom of the ghat at 1,885 feet (575 m), there is a hydroelectric power station. From Manjur, at the top of the ghat, the distance is equidistant to either Ooty or Coonoor via smaller district roads.
Religion plays an important role in Karamadai, and every year the Masimagam car festival is celebrated in February (in Tamil month Masi). The Nanjundeswarar temple is a Shiva temple built by Shaivites descendants of Chola clan. This temple holds minute art works portraying the Tamil heritage. A new Vishnu temple, named Then Thirumala -Thirupathi was built in 2000 near Karamadai.
As Karamadai is just about 30 km from the center of Coimbatore city towards the northern direction, it is also an easy destination spot located at an easily reachable distance for the people of Mettupalayam, Tirupur, Ooty, etc. The Ranganathar temple in Karamadai is located at the center of the town and is a must-visit.
In conclusion, Karamadai is a hidden gem that is often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors. However, this charming town boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a foodie, Karamadai has something for everyone. So why not add Karamadai to your travel bucket list and experience the magic of this enchanting destination for yourself?