Chennai: Cape Comorin or Kanyakumari is one of the most famous tourist destinations in South India. Kanyakumari is a district of Tamil Nadu and is situated at the southern-most tip of Indian peninsula.
The city gets its name from the temple of Devi Kanyakumari (Kumari Amman Temple), an incarnation of goddess Durga. The temple of Kanyakumari is counted among the 108 Shaktipeethas dedicated to the female form of supreme energy, Goddess Durga and visited by the unmarried girls in large numbers to get their desired life partner.
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.
Kanyakumari was once referred to as the Alexandria of the east. 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.
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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.
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.
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.
The nearest airport is at Trivandrum (80 km). It is directly connected with Bangalore, Mumbai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, and Chennai by regular flights. Kanyakumari is connected to Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, and Mumbai 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).
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.
Places to visit in Kanyakumari:
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Built on rocks in the Lakshadweep Sea, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a memorial that honours Swami Vivekananda, and the spot where he is said to have gained enlightenment.
Thiruvalluvar Statue
Standing at over 40 metres on a small island rock island, the Thiruvalluvar Statue is a stone sculpture of the Tamil poet and philosopher, Valluvar.
Mahatma Gandhi Memorial
Also known as Gandhi Mandapam, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial is where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were kept before being immersed in the waters at Kanyakumari.
Tsunami Memorial Park
The Tsunami Memorial Park is a homage to those who tragically lost their lives in the devastating tsunami that hit Tamil Nadu in December 2004.
Sunset Point Kanyakumari
Sunset Point Kanyakumari is a popular vantage point located in the southernmost tip of India, offering breathtaking views of the sun setting over the confluence of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.
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