Kilakarai, the coastal city which is few kilometers away from Ramanathapuram, is situated in the Bay of Mannar. Ervadi which is famous for Dhargah, is situated in the Western part of Kilakarai. Sethukkaraiis situated in the Eastern part of Kilakarai. Pits were surrounded in between Ervadi and Sethukkarai. In a particular area in-between these pits, there is a large gap of about 150 Fathoms. Two beacons were kept in order to show this gap.

Thus this natural path leads the way for ships to the port of Kilakarai. In the ancient times muslims of Kilakarai were called as "SONAGAR". Since they had ships of their own, they were called as "Maraikkayar". This is due to the word "Maraikzam", which represents the ship in tamil. Now they represent their family as "Maraikkayar VDU". And in memory of those people, some streets in Kilakarai had been named according to their occupation.

Kilakarai was also called as "Bouthra MannikaPattinam", "Seppy Nadu", "Anuthugai Mangalam", "Vazra Nadu", "Vaguthai", "ThenKayal" because it was found as the heart of trading place for merchants and business people. The name Kilakarai represents red colour.

It is because that when viewing this land scape form a large distance from the sea, it appears to be red. Kayal is a considerable City governed by Astiar. One of the five brothers, kings of the country of Maabar, who was richin gold jewels, and preserves his country in a state of profound peace. On this account it is a favorite place of resort for foreign merchants, who are well received and treated by the king. Accordingly all the ships coming from the west-as from Ormus, Chisti, Aden and various parts of Arabia-laden with merchandise and horses make this port which is besides well suited for commerce.