Karunguzhi is a town in Chengalpattu district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

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Karunguzhi
city
Karunguzhi Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 12.55°N 79.9°E / 12.55; 79.9
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Chengalpattu
Population  (2001)
• Total	11,265
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)

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the town of Karunguzhi, with an interruption between 1825 and 1835, was the first capital and administrative headquarters were transferred to Kanchipuram. In 1859 the capital Saidapet, now a neighbourhood in the city of Chennai, was made the administrative headquarters of the district.

It acted as the capital of chingleput district under Madras presidency from 1793-1825 and from 1835-1859.^{[1][circular reference][2][circular reference]}

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[3] Karunguzhi had a population of 11,265. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Karunguzhi has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 61%. In Karunguzhi, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

There are several tourist attractions in the area. "Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary" is one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in India. It is 8 km from Karunguzhi.

An ancient fort built by a Pallava emperor is also located here. There are two mountains in Karunguzhi. One is a Renganathar mountain, in Malaipalayam: It is nearly 700 metres high and a temple to Lord Vishnu is on the top. The other mountain is in Karunguzhi forest. In the middle of the forest is a temple to Siva.

Nearby is the Lord Gnanagereeswarar temple, built nearly 1000 years ago. A lake is also there, covering nearly 500 acres (2.0 km²).

Madurantakam town is 3 km from Karunguzhi. The second biggest lake in Tamil Nadu is Madurantakam lake.^{[citation needed]}