Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula, Kanyakumari is a coastal town in the state of Tamil Nadu. Earlier known as Cape Comorin, Kanyakumari is surrounded by mountains and bordered by vibrant seashores, lined with paddy fields and coconut trees, and also boasts of aesthetically elevated patches of hills with undulating valleys and plains in between the sea and the mountainous terrain. Ever since ancient times, Kanyakumari has been one of the major centers of religion, art, and culture. Famous for being the only place in India where you can observe the sunrise and sunset at the same beach, Kanyakumari is a very popular tourist destination, not just because of this unique geographical phenomenon, but also because of its pristine beaches as well as its temples and churches which attract a huge number of tourists to this city al
l year round.
The Kanyakumari Temple, also known as the Bhagavatam Amman Temple or the Kumari Amman temple is one of the major Hindu temples all across India. Built-in dedication to Goddess Kumari Amman, the temple finds mention in almost all ancient Hindu scriptures and is frequented by pilgrims looking to pay their respects to the virgin goddess Kanya Devi.
One of the most iconic monuments in the city, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a gigantic structure surrounded on all sides by the Laccadive Sea, so the only way you can reach the monument is by taking a boat/ferry ride. Built by the Ramakrishna Mission, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial is dedicated to the great philosopher Swami Vivekananda who used to meditate here. The memorial comprises of two main structures – the Shripada Mandapam and the Vivekananda Mandapam, with an attached meditation hall for visitors to sit and meditate in.
Kanyakumari is also home to the Statue of the Saint Poet Thiruvalluvar, one of the greatest Tamil poets in India. Standing at a massive height of 133 feet, the statue is one of the biggest in the entire Asian subcontinent and is the result of the hard work of over 500 sculptors. Other historic sights that you can visit in Kanyakumari include the Padmanabhapuram Palace, the Vattakottai Fort, and the Gandhi Memorial.
Apart from historic monuments and buildings, Kanmjyamurai is also famed for its beaches and waterfalls. The Kanyakumari beach is the perfect place where you can spend a lazy afternoon sitting on the white sand and sipping a cool drink. Unlike the beaches in Goa which tend to be a little overpopulated, the Kanyakumari beach is a lot less crowded and is the best place to enjoy a gorgeous sunset. Waterfalls in Kanyakumari that you should not miss out on include the Thirparappu falls, the Courtallam Falls, and the Olakaruvi falls.
Kanyakumari has an authentic South Indian cuisine, with seafood and coconuts being an integral part of almost all dishes. Starting from light snacks to full course gourmet menus, Kanyakumari delights tourists with the numerous options it offers for eating out. While Kanyakumari is not a traditional shopping destination, you can buy plenty of souvenirs and curios from the numerous stalls and boutiques dotting the beachfront, with decorative seashell trinkets being a must-buy.
The Land Where Three Seas Meet
Kanyakumari offers the marvelous confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and Indian ocean meeting together at a point. But, this is not the miracle, the miracle lies in the beauty that the water of three seas does not mix, you can clearly distinguish between the turquoise blue, deep blue and sea green waters of the three seas. To enjoy the best view you can visit the Triveni Sangam point and the famous View tower to absorb the beauty of nature in your hearts. Do not miss the sunset from these viewpoints.
The Sunset And The Sunrise
One of the unique features of Kanyakumari is the beautiful view of the sunrise and the sunset. It is one of the main tourist attractions. It is a breathtaking sight everyone waits for on the shores every morning. This spectacular sight is one of the many reasons why Kanyakumari is famous. On full moon evenings, one can see the moon rising and the sun setting at the same time. Although a rare sight, one should definitely try to catch the moment at least once in their life. During the sunrise and sunset, the famous Vivekananda Rock and the statue of Thiruvalluvar look even more striking. It is a sight with a beautiful blend of the natural and the man-made. The timings of the sunrise and sunset vary from season to season. However, one can confirm the timings at the hotels they are staying at.
History
According to a famous legend, Kanya Devi, an avatar of Goddess Parvati, was supposed to wed Lord Shiva. But Lord Shiva himself failed to turn up for this day and the wedding did not take place. The rice grains and cereals that were supposed to be for the marriage, remained uncooked. It is said, that even today, one can find stones that look exactly like rice grains. Many people believe that they are the remains of the marriage. Kanya Devi, it is said, remained a virgin goddess. During the early 18th Century AD, Islam entered Southern India through the traders. Christianity entered the southern part in AD 52 through St. Thomas. Islam, Christianity, and Jainism have significantly contributed to the literary and architectural tradition of the place. The Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks too, have contributed to the beautiful architectures that can be mostly found in the temples of Kanyakumari. During the British Raj, Kanyakumari was given the title of Cape Comorin.
The Kanyakumari and The Geography
Kanyakumari also known as Kanniyakumari, earlier known as Cape Comorin, is a town in Kanyakumari District in the state of Tamil Nadu India. The name comes from the temple, Devi Kanya Kumari Temple in the region. It is the southernmost tip of peninsular India. Kanyakumari town is the southern tip of the Cardamom Hills, an extension of the Western Ghats. The nearest town is Nagercoil, the administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District, 22 km away. Kanyakumari has been a town since the Sangam period and is a popular tourist destination.
Kanyakumari is located at 8.08°N 77.57°E. It has an average elevation of 300 meters. Contrary to the popular belief that Kanyakumari lies at the meeting point of three bodies of water, it borders only one, the Laccadive Sea to the south-west, south, and to the south-east. It is the confluence of the Western Coastal Plains and Eastern Coastal Plains.
