Kanyakumari Tourism | Kanyakumari Travel Guide | Kanyakumari Travel Destinations

General Info

Area : 1,685 sq.km
Population : 16,76,034
Rainfall : 1188.6 mm ( Annual )
Climate : Max - 35 Deg C , Min - 21 Deg C
Std Code : 04562

History

Kanyakumari has been named after the Goddess Kanyakumari Amman who is the popular deity of the area.Legent has it that the Goddess Parvathi in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanniya did penance on one of the rocks of this land's end to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva.At the southern most tip of India,where the Arabian Sea,the Indian Ocean and the Bay Of Bengal meet,lies Kanyakumari,an important pilgrimage centre.Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular " sunrises and sunsets ",especially on all full moon days.The beach is a beautiful sight with multi-coloured sand.There is a lighthouse from where one can get a panoramic view.The Government museum offers a good collection of sculptural art crafts of Tamilnadu.

Sightseeing Places In And Around Kanyakumari

Gandhi Memorial
This memorial for the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi,has been built on the spot where the urn containing hi ashes was kept for the public to pay their last respects,before immersing at the confluence of three seas.The sun rays fall on memorial through a narrow orifice exactly on the spot where the ashes were kept,only once a year on October 2nd (Mahatma's Birthday).

Thirparappu Waterfalls
Thirparappu means 'A Pavilion Of Beauty And Sacredness'.The panoramic view of the shrine with green hills and the perennial river Kodayur,running in front of the shrine,is really fascinating and attractive.The sparkling waterfall is a rich feast for the eyes.A bath is most refreshing,70 kms from Kanyakumari.

Thiruvalluvar Statue
Built on the lines of the 'Statue Of Liberty' in America,this 133 feet tall statue commemorates the 133 chapters of the 'Thirukkural',the composition of the Tamil Savant - Poet Thiruvalluvar.The statue has been raised over a rock situated adjacent to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.The result of the craftsmanship of over 5000 sculptors,this modern day architectural marvel is faithful to Dravidian sculptural details.

Sunrise And Sunset
Sunrise can be seen in Kanyakumari through outh the year at Bay Of Bengal.Sunset can be seen from view tower through out the year except the month of June, July and August.

Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial
This grand memorial to the great Indian Philosopher Swami Vivekananda is on one of the twin rocks jutting out from the sea about 200 meters offshore.There is a Dhyana Mandapam where one can sit in a serene atmosphere and meditate.Ferry services are available to reach the memorial.

Thekkurichi Beach
Thekkurichi,a teiny village with cam seashore lies near the west coast road.Calm sea shore with shady casuarina trees create a spell-bounding atmosphere.

St.Xavier Church
St.Xavier an outstanding and dedicated priest visited the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu from Goa,he never missed the opportunity of visiting Kottar in Kanyakumari district which was a celebrated commercial centre at that time.During his stay at Kottar,he used to worship St.Mary in the small temple.He was popularly known as "Valiya Pandaram" among the people of Kottar.While he was at Kottar,he averted the invasion of Padagas on the people of Venad which was appreciated by the king,who became closer to the priest.

In recognition of Xavier's services,the king allotted a land to him for the purpose of constructing a catholic church at Kottar.There was already a church in 1544 in the same place,where the St.Xavier's church stands now.The church records show that the church was built in the year 1600 AD.In the year 1865,the church was enlarged and the shrine of our lady was also renovated and vaulted over.In 1955,the church was further extended and the chapel of our Lady was incorporated into the enlarged church.

Sanguthurai Beach
Sanguthurai is a beautiful beach resort and is very convenient for the local population of Nagercoil.It is only about 10 kms from the city.

Padmanabhapuram Palace
Capital of Travancore until 1798 AD.It is an ancient seat of Travancore rulers,situated at a distance of 37 kms from Kanyakumari.There is a palace inside the fort which covers an area of 6 acres.On display in this palace are many antiquities,including the armory of the royal families the Ramaswamy temple adjoining the palace,scenes from the Ramayana have been carved in 45 panels.

Murugan Kundram
3 kms from Kanyakumari.It is a place where calm abides and peace regins,all under August aegis of Sun and the Moon.A fine day to visit this place is on "Chitra Pournami" - a full moon day in the month of April.

Mathur Hanging Bridge
The Mathur Hanging Trough is the tallest as well as the longest trough bridge in Asia,having a height of 115 feet and a length of one kilometre,constructed in 1966.This bridge has become a place of tourist importance and hundreds of tourists visit this place.

Kumari Amman Temple
Picturesquely situated overlooking the shore,this temple and the nearby bathing Ghat attract tourists from all over the world.According to a legend,Devi did penance here to secure Lord Siva's hand in marriage.When she was unsuccessful,she vowed to remain a virgin.The Diamond nose-ring of this deity is famous for its sparkling splendour which is supposed to be visible even from the sea.

Government Museum
The Government Museum situated on the Beach road with collection of sculptured articrafts and crafts of South Indian Temples is one of the must see places here.

Kamaraj Memorial
Regarded as the "King Maker Of India" Kamaraj influenced many a polotical event in the country.From a humble background he rose to become the chief minister of Tamilnadu through sheer hard work and political acumen.As a tribute to the freedom fighter and 'Perunthalaivar' this 'Mani Mandapam' was opened on 02-10-2000.It is situated near Gandhi memorial.

How To Reach There
The nearest airport is at Trivandrum (80 km). It is directly connected with Bangalore, Bombay, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, and Madras by regular flights.Kanyakumari is connected to Trivandrum, Delhi, and Bombay by broad-gauge railway network. Tirunelvelli (80 km) is the other nearest railway junction and can be reached by road via Nagarkoil (19 km).

Kanyakumari is also well connected by road to Trivandrum (86 km), Nagarkoil (19 km), Tirunelvelli (91 km), Tiruchendur (89 km), Tuticorin (129 km), Rameshwaram (300 km), Courtallam (130 km), Madurai (242 km), Thekkady (358 km), Kodaikanal (362 km), Palani (370 km), Ootacamund (576 km), Cochin (309 km), and Coimbatore (478 km). .