Kanyakumari is a coastal town in the state of TamilNadu on India’s southern tip. The town was known as Cape Comorin during British rule and is popular for watching sunrise and sunset over the ocean. Kanyakumari was once referred to as the Alexandria of the east. It’s also a noted pilgrimage site thanks to its Bhagavathi Amman Temple dedicated to a consort of Shiva, and Our Lady of Ransom Church, a center of Indian Catholicism.it is the place where 3 ocean and sea met, the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.
Kanyakumari has been under the control of the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayak rulers. The city draws pilgrims for Chaitra Purnima Festival in 1st week of May, Navratri festival in last week of October, and Holy Annual Festival of the Roman Catholic Church in 4th week of December are the notable festivals celebrated in Kanyakumari. On the shores of the town is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kanyakumari (the virgin Goddess), after which the town is named.
Kanyakumari beach located at the Southern-most end of the town, where the three seas meet. The other beaches being Muttom Beach, Sothavilai Beach, Vattakottai Beach, Thengapattinam Beach, Sanguthurai Beach, and Sothavilai Beach. Open to visitors throughout the year best time to visit Kanyakumari is winter from December through February. There are numerous other places worth visiting in and around the town, including Thirparappu waterfalls, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thanumalayan Temple, Lord Subramanya Temple, Thiruvalluvar Statue,, Padmanabhapuram Palace, and Lord Subramanya Temple.
Tourist can avail ferry services between the town and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue twice a day. A popular tourist destination in India, the town is situated 20 km south of Nagercoil,. According to a Hindu legend, Kanya Devi, an avatar of Parvati, was to marry Shiva, who failed to show up on his wedding day. Rice and other grains meant for the wedding feast remained uncooked and unused..[As the legend goes, the uncooked grains turned into stones as time went by.
Some believe that the small stones on the shore today, which look like rice, are indeed grains from the wedding that was never solemnised. Tourism in the town is not centered around temples also worth visiting are Gandhi Memorial Mandapam, Tsunami Memorial Park, Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument. Well connected by road and rail, with all major cities of India, air connectivity is provided by Trivandrum.
Kanyakumari is all about picture perfect sunsets, enchanting full-moon nights, scrumptious coastal food, walk by the azure waters and of course the thrill of being in such a geographical wonderful destination. An ideal tourist destination and a weekend getaway for people living in cities like Trichy, Thiruvananthapuram, Pondicherry, Coimbatore and Chennai. History buffs can have a good time at Kanyakumari Wax Museum or exploring the Vattakottai Fort and Udayagiri Fort.
Among other places worth visiting are Mathur Aqueduct, Courtallam waterfalls, St. Xavier Church, Mandaikadu Bhagavathi temple, Shirdi Sai temple, Adi Keshava Perumal Temple, Chitharal Jain temple and monuments. The Observation Tower on Kovalam Beach Road is yet another tourist attraction in Kanyakumari that gives a glimpse of panoramic views of the sand and the sea. There are numerous hotels, lodges in the town that provide luxurious, mid range and budget accommodation to tourist.
Most restaurants serve traditional veg cuisine with Kothu, Appam, Pazha Sarbath, and Maravazhi Kilangu being some of the most famous food items in Kanyakumari. Those looking for shopping Kanyakumari is very famous for its great variety of sea shells. conches, straw hats and clips made of coconut shells. Tourist can also buy souvenirs, handicrafts and textiles. Overall Kanyakumari is a good visit for anyone interested in touring without much crowds.
