The only temple in Tamil Nadu dedicated to Saraswathi, about 30 minutes from the resort near Poonthottam.
Koothanur, near Poonthottam and about 25 km west of Karaikal town, is home to the Maha Saraswathi Amman temple, the only temple in Tamil Nadu dedicated to Saraswathi, the goddess of learning.
Why students visit
Families bring children before board exams and school admissions. Many buy a pen at the stalls near the entrance and place it before the goddess for blessing before exams.
When to go
Wednesdays are usually busy, and the nine days of Navarathri, ending with Vijayadasami, are the temple's biggest festival.
Make a day of it
From RK Resorts the temple is about 30 minutes away. Visit in the morning, come back for lunch at Crave and a swim, and there are few places to stay near the temple itself.