Kottaiyur is a northern suburb of Karaikudi as well the part of Karaikudi City Municipal Corporation .The village is famous for Kottaiyur Sivan Temple, one of the master pieces of the Chettinad region. The temple and the area's old lime stone heritage buildings give Kottaiyur a unique identity. Kottaiyur is well developed and famous for its reputed educational institutions. Kottaiyur panchayat administration including the villages of Velangudi and Alagapuri is due to be merged with Karaikudi as part of the municipality expansion.

Geography

Kottaiyur has an average elevation of 77 metres (253 ft) and is located north in Karaikudi, on the Karaikudi-Trichy Highway

Demographics

As of the 2011 Indian census, Kottaiyur had a population of 14766 of which 49% was male and 51% female. The literacy rate of 75% is higher than the national average of 59.5%. Among men, the literacy rate is 79%, compared to 71% among females. 10% of the population is under six years of age.

Educational Institutions

Kottaiyur have well reputed schools and colleges around its town. Lot of students from near by surrounding villages and towns are studying here. Following are notable institutions

• Muthuiah Alagappa Matriculation Higher secondary School
• Chidambaram Chettiyar girls higher secondary school
• Thanjavur Arunachalam Chettiyar Gov.hr.sec.school
• Sanatana Dharma Vidyalaya Primary School
• Kottaiyur Panchayat Union Middle School.
• part of Alagappa university is within the administrative limit of Kottaiyur town panchayat such as Alagappa institute of Management, Alagappa institute of Physical Education, Alagappa Alumini Park & Ramanujan Centre for Higher Mathematics.

Alagappa University second entrance with memorial arch and Dr.Alagappa Chettiyar statue is located in Kottaiyur - Sri Ram Nagar Railway gate area.

Notable individuals

• Dr. Alagappa Chettiar, philanthropist and founder of Alagappa University.
• Roja Muthiah Chettiar
• A. K. Chettiar