kanyakumari Travel Guide

Kanyakumari is associated with goddess Kumari the virgin, Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) has become a busy pilgrimage centre dedicated  to the goddess Devi Kanya an incarnation of Parvati this land has great spiritual significance for Hindus. The place is named after the virgin goddess Parvati who waited for her consort lord Shiva to come and claim her hand in marriage at the end of the earth. Kanyakumari - is at the land’s end of India, dipping into the magical waters of the Indian Ocean flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Bay of Bengal on the right, giving rise to the Triveni Sangam. The baby of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea met here giving spectacular sunrise, sunset and moonrise. In April the sun and the moon appear on the same horizon. Chaitrapurnima (April full moon day) is one of the best times to experience the sunset and the moonrise over the ocean simultaneously.

Here the sun and the moon adorn the sky on this particular day. And it was here where Swami Vivekananda found nirvana. The memorial to Swami Vivekananda, on a rocky promontory just over 400 mts. offshore, now dominates the view. This beautiful land seems to be an answer to every prayer. Pilgrims come here to visit the temple and bathe in the sacred waters. The beach sands are of different colors, having been deposited from different directions. Prominent on the beach are the black monazite and red garnet sands.

Places of attraction

Cape Comorin is the unique point on earth where the sun and the moon rise simultaneously during Chaitrapurnima ( full moon day in April).

Kumari Amman Temple is the spot where Goddess Parvati waited for Lord Shiva to come and ask her hand in marriage. According to legend Devi (the goddess) single-handedly conquered demons and secured freedom for the world. Here at Kanyakumari  pilgrims give her thanks for the safety and liberty she attained for them. In May/June there is a Car Festival where an idol of the deity is taken in procession and in September/October the Navratri (Nine Nights) Festival celebrates Devi’s victory over the demons. The temple is open 4.30 to 11.45 am and 5.30 to 8.30 pm daily.

Gandhi (Memorial) Mandapam: The striking memorial stands on the spot where people prayed for peace in the urn where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were once kept. Every year on his birth anniversary (2nd October) the sunrays fall on the exact spot of the urn.

Vivekananda  Memorial: The Vivekananda  memorial has been built on the Vivekananda rock so called because Vivekananda used to swim to the rock and meditate  for hours together during his sojourn  at Kannyakumari in 1892  before  setting out as one of India’s most important religious crusaders. It is one of the two rocks cutting out of the ocean and providing the visitors  a view of the land’s end of India. The mandapam  built here in his memory  in 1970 reflects architectural  styles from all over India. A statue of Swami Vivekananda is installed. Ferry services are available to go to the memorial from 7 am to 11am and from 2 pm to 5pm.

Guganathaswami Temple : This temple built by Rajaraja Chola I is about 1000 years old. The Shiva Lingam at the sanctum sanctorum of this temple is 1.4 mts. High. It is near the railway station.

Government Museum : The Government Museum is near the Transit Office Beach Rd. It contains bronzes tribal articles woodcarvings and zoological and botanical specimens. The Samythoppu temple car is also exhibited. Visiting hours: 9.30 am to 5 pm.

Olakkay Aruvi (Waterfalls): 35 kms from Kannyakumari the waterfalls are surrounded by beautiful sceneries. It is a picnic and trekking spot attracting good crowds.

Kumarak Koil: It is 34kms.From Kanyakumari. It is on the Vellimalai hills is Kalkutam taluk. The temple is on a 200 ft. high hillock. High amidst paddy fields plantation and coconut groves. It is noted for its fine sculptures. There is a separate sanctum for goddess Valli besides the presiding deity Subramanya.