FACTS
& FIGURES
Best Season : October
to March
Population : 18,900
STD Codes : 04652
LOCATION
Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular
India and the meeting point of three oceans-the Bay
of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides
its importance as a Hindu pilgrim center, it is famous
for its beautiful views of sunrise and sunset over the
waters. The multicolored sand is a unique feature of
the beach here.
HISTORY
Kanyakumari was once referred to as
the Alexandria of the east. This place has been a great
center for art, culture, civilization, and pilgrimage
for years. It was also a famous center for commerce
and trade. During the early part of the eighth century
AD Islam entered the southern part of India through
the sea route with traders and missionaries. Through
St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, Christianity
arrived in this area in AD 52. Islam, Christianity and
Jainism have greatly contributed to the architectural
wealth and literary heritage of this place. Kanyakumari
was also under the control of the Cholas, the Cheras,
the Pandyas and the Nayaks who were great rulers of
south India. The architectural beauty of the temples
is the work of these rulers.
During the British Raj, Kanyakumari was bestowed the
dry title of Cape Comorin, necessitated perhaps by the
Englishmen's inability to pronounce local names.
Legend has it that Kanya Devi, an avatar of Goddess
Parvati, was to wed Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the
Hindu trinity. But he did not turn up at the auspicious
time and the wedding never took place. The rice and
cereals meant for the marriage remained uncooked. Even
today, one can buy stones there that look exactly like
rice and cereals. Local folks believe that they are
the leftovers of the legendary marriage that could not
be solemnized. As for the princess Kanya Devi, she became
a virgin goddess blessing pilgrims and tourists alike.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Due to its proximity to the sea, Kanyakumari
enjoys a pleasant climate and can be visited throughout
the year. However, the best season to visit this place
would be between October and March. During summers,
the temperature can rise to a high of 34.8°C while
it can dip to a low of 20.4°C during winters.
SITES TO VISIT
The Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari
Temple, located on the shore, is dedicated to a manifestation
of Parvati, the virgin goddess who did penance to obtain
Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. The temple and the adjoining
ghat, picturesquely situated overlooking the shore,
attract tourist from all over the world. The diamond
nose-ring of the deity is famous for its sparkling splendor
said to be visible even from the sea.
Two rocks reach out of the ocean, southeast of the
Kumari Amman temple. One of these is Sri Padaparai,
where the footprints of the virgin goddess are said
to be imprinted on this rock, Swami Vivekananda is said
to have sat in deep meditation and here also stands
the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial built in 1970.
There is a dhyana mandapam where one can sit in a serene
atmosphere and meditate. Ferry services are available
to reach the memorial.
The striking Gandhi Memorial has been built on the
spot where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes was
kept for public viewing before immersion. Resembling
central Indian Hindu temples in form, the memorial was
so designed that on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (October
2), the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place
where the ashes of the father of the nation were kept.
PLACES NEARBY
Vattakottai (literally, circular fort)
is an 18th-century fort overlooking the sea, located
six km from Kanyakumari.
The Udayagiri Fort (34 km), built by King Marthanda
Varma (AD 1729-1758), has a foundry for casting guns.
The king's trusted European general De Lennoy's grave
is located within this fort. Situated 13 km from Kanyakumari,
Suchindram bears the imprint of various kingdoms. The
Thanumalayan temple here is a repository of art treasures
belonging to those kingdoms. The temple is famous for
its musical columns and its impressive six?m-tall statue
of the monkey god, Hanuman. The main deity in the form
of a shivling represents Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma,
the trinity of the Hindu pantheon. Ancient inscriptions
dating back to the ninth century are found in this place.
The Nagaraja Temple at Nagarkoil (20 km) is a magnificent
temple with Nagaraja as the main deity. There are also
shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. The entrance
to this temple is reminiscent of the Chinese architecture
of a Buddhist Vihar. Nagercoil is 19 kms from Kanyakumari
on the way to Padmanabhapuram.
Padmanabhapuram Palace (45 km) is a large mansion of
the Travancore Kings. It is known for its fascinating
natural splendor.
Tiruchendur (85 km) is the site of a beautiful temple
dedicated to Lord Subramanya. The temple located here
on the shore of the Bay of Bengal is one of the six
abodes of Lord Subramanya. The location of the temple
draws a perennial stream of devotees. The temple overlooking
the singing sea is an inspiring sight.
The Courtallam Fall (137 km) is perched at a height
of 167 m. Its water is believed to contain medicinal
properties.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
The Chaitra Purnima Festival (the April
full-moon day, celebrated in the first week of May),
Navratri (last week of October), and the Holy Annual
Festival of the Roman Catholic Church (fourth week of
December) are the notable festivals celebrated in Kanyakumari.
HOW TO REACH
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 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).
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