Kanyakumari is known as the ‘Land’s End’ of the Indian subcontinent, that is located in the state of Tamilnadu, Southern most part of India. It is famous for its incomparable geographical location, of not only being the land’s end, but also for many amazing places to visit in Kanyakumari the Tri-sea (“the Arabian sea”, “the Indian Ocean” and “the Bay of Bengal”, confluence).
A dip in the ‘Triveni Sangam’, i.e., the confluence of the 3-seas, at Kanyakumari is considered holy. Cape Comerin is another name of Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari is located near the border of Tamilnadu as well as Kerala. It is just 85 Kms east of Trivandrum city, that is, the capital of Kerala. Triveni Sangam, Kanyakumari is a popular pilgrim centre and is named after goddess ‘Parvati’, who is the wife of lord ‘Shiva’. ‘Kumari Amman’ a temple, that is dedicated to virgin goddess Kanyakumari.
Triveni Sangam, Kanyakumari has very great spiritual significance for the Hindus. It is dedicated to the goddess Devi Kanyakumari, who is an incarnation of Parvati. Pilgrims come here and visit the Kanyakumari temple and bath in the holy water. ‘Chaitrapurnima’ (Tamil for the April full moon day) is considered one of the best times to experience the sunset as well as the moon rise over the ocean in Kanyakumari simultaneously.
The specialty of some places to visit in Kanyakumari is that, you can see the sunrise and sunset from one place. Though the sunrise can also be viewed round the year, the sunset is only visible from 15th October to 15th March from the southern most tip. Lakhs of tourists, all round the year is lured by the serene beauty of this place. Kanyakumari is basically a pilgrimage town, a place where people can fulfill their spiritual duties.
In the sea of just 400 meters off the shores, there are two rocks known as the ‘twin rocks’, contribute to the rich Indian heritage with its monuments of Swami Vivekananda and the great Tamil poet Saint Thiruvalluvar.
How to Reach Kanyakumari
By air
The nearest airport is the Thiruvananthapuram airport, from the airport you have to go to the Thiruvananthapuram Bus station, from where you can get buses to Kanyakumari.
By rail
The nearest station is the Kanyakumari station itself. From the station you can get number of buses to the Triveni Sangam, Kanyakumari beach.
Places to visit in Kanyakumari
Here, are the best places to visit in Kanyakumari, and around Triveni Sangam to make some amazing memories.
1Vivekananda Rock Memorial
It is one of the most iconic monuments in Triveni Sangam, Kanyakumari. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is basically located almost 100 meters from the shore and is one of the major tourist attractions in Kanyakumari. This small rock island can be reached by a ferry and it consists of two main structures. They are the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam also is the two main complexes of the memorial and is also frequented by thousands of tourists.
2Thiruvalluvar Statue
This massive 133 feet tall statue is about one of the Saint Poet Thiruvalluvar, who was considered to be one of the greatest Tamil poets. This Statue is one of the biggest in Asia and it was unveiled on 1st January 2000. This pedestal of the statue is artistically designed and decorated with 10 elephants, which signifies the various directions.
3Kanyakumari Temple
Bhagvati Amman Temple is also referred to as Kanyakumari Temple, is one of the 108 Shakti Peetha in the Hindu mythology. This temple is also one of the major Hindu temples across India and is also mentioned in almost all the ancient Hindu scriptures. This temple is also frequented by many thousands of pilgrims each year and the temple’s architecture is also very unique.
4Gandhi memorial Kanyakumari
Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Triveni Sangam, Kanyakumari is also a popular tourist hotspot, that is constructed in the year 1956. It was built in the memory of the superior Indian leader, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who is also popularly known as the Father of the Nation. After his assassination in the year 1948, his ashes were then immersed in Triveni Sangam, Kanyakumari. However, before the process of the immersion, the urn containing his ashes was being kept here for the public to pay their homage.
This building’s central part is of 79 feet high, which is symbolic to the Mahatma Gandhi’s age. A very unique fact about this memorial is that, it is being constructed in such a manner that when the day of Gandhi’s birthday, which is, on 2nd October, the sun rays pass through a hole and fall exactly on the point, where his ashes were then kept.
5Suchindrum
Suchindrum, a temple town, is located just 11 kilometers from the city of Kanyakumari. The temples in here is built in a distinctive Dravidian style and is also adorned with a massive gopurams, a common characteristic of all the Dravidian temples. The highest gopuram is almost around 134 feet high and inside, sport various exquisite rock cut pillars as well as gateways. It being an ancient temple town, it is also frequented by many pilgrims every year.
6Padmanabhapuram Palace
This old granite fortress, was once the residence of the Travancore Rulers and was constructed almost around 1601 AD. This fort contains several important buildings, like the King’s council Chamber, the Mother’s palace or Thai Kottaram and the Natakasala or the house of performances, etc. It also has a fort or a small museum that contains various types of artifacts from the older times and various types of weapons like the swords and daggers, paintings, Chinese jars and a plethora of wooden furniture.
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