Kanyakumari is located at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent. With an area of 1672 sq.km. Kanyakumari occupies 1.29% of the total extent of Tamil Nadu. The district name is spelled as ' Kanniyakumari ' in official records which are in tune with the spoken name of the district in Tamil language. The District is bound by Tirunelveli District on the North and the east. The South Eastern boundary is the Gulf of Mannar . On the South and the South West, the boundaries are the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea . On the West and North West it is bound by Kerala.
|
There are no words that can completely describe the beauty of Kanyakumari and it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations of south India. Located in the southernmost point of the Indian mainland, it is a magnificent place of natural beauty where you can see the deep blue waters of the ocean meeting the horizon. This southernmost town of Tamil Nadu is an important attraction for the tourists. Before you set out on a tour, you should have enough information about Kanyakumari that would help you explore the town conveniently.
Kanyakumari was once also called as Alexandria of the East and was one of the great centers for learning, art, and culture. It was also an important place for trade and commerce that flourished during the ancient time. Formerly Kanyakumari was ruled by the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks and you can clearly see those influences in the architectural splendor of the temples here.
|
|
About Kanyakumari one thing is quite apparent that it was the most favored seat of the rulers owing to its unmatched natural beauty and rich culture and heritage. |
Kanyakumari was for some period, under the rule of the kings of Travancore. You can also see the Christian influence in the town as Christianity was advocated by St. Thomas in 52 A.D. Similarly, Jainism and Islam have also left their imprints on this place and have considerably contributed to the architectural wealth and literary heritage of the region. There are many places to visit in Kanyakumari which bear testimony to the ancient culture and civilization of this place. |
Kanyakumari is adjacent to the sea and hence enjoys a maritime climate all the year round. However, the summers are sweltering and the temperature may soar to as high as 34.8°C. The ideal time to visit Kanyalumari would be from October to March and the cottons would be ideal as far as clothing is concerned. So make a trip to Kanyakumari and come back with some of the memorable moments spent there. |
The closest airport is not in Chennai but in the capital of the neighbouring state of Kerala, in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). All domestic airlines service Trivandrum. From there it is 87 km by road to Kanyakumari. You could rent a car or catch one of the many buses that ply between the two cities. Kanyakumari is connected to Trivandrum, Chennai, and Tirunalveli by trains, which are clean and usually punctual. |
Though Kanyakumari is well connected by road some of the distances are too great for comfort. Chennai is 703 km and Madurai 242km away. Trivandrum is relatively much closer. The roads are good and the buses are comfortable and fast like in the rest of the state. |
| Tourist Places In Kanyakumari |
| Kumari Amman Temple |
Kumari Amman Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati as Devi Kanya (the Virgin Goddess) is an important shrine here.Picturesquely situated overlooking the shore this temple is dedicated to Parvathi as Devi Kanya- the Virgin Goddess-- who did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Siva. The bright diamond nose ring of the Goddess is world famous. The temple is situated on the beach and there are long queues to enter this temple. Picturesquely situated overlooking the shore, this temple and the nearby ghat attract pilgrims from all over India to worship and to bathe. Only Hindus are allowed in this temple.
|
|
|
|
| |
| Vivekanada Memorial |
About half a kilometer away from the mainland, Vivekanad Memorial is perched on one of two rocks separated by about 70 meters. Built in 1970, the memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, India's greatest social reformer. This was the rock on which Vivekanand meditated in his quest to know the truth and enlightenment. Today this memorial has a meditation room, where you can sit in peace and reflect. The memorial has a stature of Swami Vivekanand and it also houses the different styles of temple architecture from across India. It opens from Wednesday to Monday. Tuesday is holiday. It is open from 7am to 11am and from 2pm to 5pm.
|
|
|
|
| |
| Gandhi Mandapam |
Quite near to the Kumari Amman Temple there is the Gandhi Mandapam, built in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi. The memorial is said to have been built on the place where the urn carrying his ashes was kept before it was immersed in the confluence. The memorial reminds one of an Oriyan temple and was designed in such a manner that on Gandhiji's birthday (2nd October), the sun's rays kiss the place where his ashes were kept.Gandhi Mandapam is built near the famous Anna University. Gandhi Mandapam is one of the greatest monuments that you can look at when you go to India. It is an important tourist spot that is favored by many people who come to visit India and its monuments that depict its rich cultural heritage.
|
|
|
|
| |
| Suchindram Temple |
Dedicated to the trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, Suchidram temple is just 13kms from Kanniyakumari, The temple has a captivating gopuram, musical pillars and an imposing statue of the Hanuman.It is one of the few temples in the country where the Trinities are worshipped. It was built in the 17th century. Exquisite sculptures depicting the characters of Hindu mythology of Ramayana and Mahabharata can be seen on the walls. Inside the temple, in the Alangara Mandapa, musical pillars are carved out of a single granite block, with the sounds of different musical instruments like mridanga, sitar, tambura, and jalataranga. The huge divine Nandi bull carved in white stone and Lord Hanuman's 18 ft statue are noteworthy.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Thiruvalluvar Statue |
Located at the southern most tip of the Indian Peninsula where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, is Kanyakumari, the place famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Here out in the sea, about 400m from the shore, on the minor rock adjoining the Vivekananda rock memorial lies a Statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, the author who gave us quintessential words of wisdom through his philosophical work 'Thirukkural', a treatise in Tamil on the Indian way of life. The statue, standing amid the dancing blue waves, creates a lasting impression as it rises high over the rock.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
