KANYAKUMARI, also known as Cape Comorin, is the Lands End of India. The three seas-the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian sea-meet here, and a dip in their confluence is considered holy. The shore temple in this famous pilgrim centre is dedicated to the Virgin Goddess Devi Kanyakumari.
The magnificent sunrise and sunset and moonrise at Kanyakumari should not be missed. This is the only place in India where one can enjoy the unique experience of watching the sunset and moonrise simultaneously on a full moon evening. Multi-colored sands on the beach here are a special feature.
WHAT TO SEE IN KANYAKUMARI
Kanyakumari Temple: This temple, picturesquely located on the shores, is dedicated to Parashakthi, the Virgin Goddess doing penance. According to a legend, Parashakthi, in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanya, did penance here. The sage Parasurama is said to have installed the deity. Timings:4.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial:
This grand memorial to Swami Vivekananda is on one of the twin rocks jutting out from the sea about 200 metres offshore. Before he went abroad as a leading religious crusader of India, Swami Vivekananda came down to Kanyakumari in 1892 and sat on the rock in meditation. The was built in 1970. There is a Dhyana Mandapam where one can sit in a serene atmosphere and mediated. Sripaada Mandapam is another shrine construted over the footprint of the Goddess, who is believed to have done penance here. Ferry services are available to reach the Memorial. Timings:6 a.m. to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
EXCURSIONS AROUND KANYAKUMARI
Vattakottai: 6 km from Kanyakumari. This circular fort, overlooking the sea, was built by the dutch in the 18th century. The sea here is clam and ideal for bath.
Suchindrum Temple: 13 km from Kanyakumari. The temple here is venerated by both Saivites and Vaishnavites. It enshrines on a single Lingam, known as Sthanumalaya, the triple aspects of God. The 18-foot-tall Hanuman and the musical pillars in the corridor are worth seeing.
Nagercoil: 20 km from Kanyakumari. At Nagercoli, there is a temple dedicated to the serpent deity Nagaraja. The prasadam distributed in this temple is wet sand scooped out from the ground where the image of the deity in enshrined. The Naga flower found in the temple garden is a symbolic representation of Nagaraja.
Padmanabhapuram Palace: 32 km from Kanyakumari. Padmanabhapuram was the capital of the erstwhile Travancore State. An old fort and a pagoda-shaped palace with 17th and 18th century murals, wood work and other antiquities are worth a visit.
How to go: The nearest air port is Trivandrum (86 km) . Kanyakumari is now linked by rail. Distances at a glance: Madras 703 km, Madurai 245 km, Rameswaram 409 km, Tiruchendur 80 km. there are also Express and fast passenger buses starting from and passing through Kanyakumari to various towns and cities.
Conducted tour: Kanyakumari is covered by the conducted tour operated by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), Trivandrum, ph-2643. the tour (leaving Trivandrum at 7.30 a.m. and returning there around 9.00 p.m.) covers Kovalam, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Suchindrum, Nagercoli and Kanyakumari.
Vattakottai: 6 km from Kanyakumari. This circular fort, overlooking the sea, was built by the dutch in the 18th century. The sea here is clam and ideal for bath.
Suchindrum Temple: 13 km from Kanyakumari. The temple here is venerated by both Saivites and Vaishnavites. It enshrines on a single Lingam, known as Sthanumalaya, the triple aspects of God. The 18-foot-tall Hanuman and the musical pillars in the corridor are worth seeing.
Nagercoil: 20 km from Kanyakumari. At Nagercoli, there is a temple dedicated to the serpent deity Nagaraja. The prasadam distributed in this temple is wet sand scooped out from the ground where the image of the deity in enshrined. The Naga flower found in the temple garden is a symbolic representation of Nagaraja.Padmanabhapuram Palace: 32 km from Kanyakumari. Padmanabhapuram was the capital of the erstwhile Travancore State. An old fort and a pagoda-shaped palace with 17th and 18th century murals, wood work and other antiquities are worth a visit.
How to go: The nearest air port is Trivandrum (86 km) . Kanyakumari is now linked by rail. Distances at a glance: Madras 703 km, Madurai 245 km, Rameswaram 409 km, Tiruchendur 80 km. there are also Express and fast passenger buses starting from and passing through Kanyakumari to various towns and cities.
Conducted tour: Kanyakumari is covered by the conducted tour operated by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), Trivandrum, ph-2643. the tour (leaving Trivandrum at 7.30 a.m. and returning there around 9.00 p.m.) covers Kovalam, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Suchindrum, Nagercoli and Kanyakumari.
