One of the popular holy pilgrimages spot in India and today an equally popular tourist attraction destination, Kanyakumari is a town in Tamil Nadu. Unveiling its history, recites that the place was highly praised for being a center for pearl fishery by Ptolemy in his Geographical account. Also serving as a center of art and religion for ages, Kanyakumari is today one of the most frequently talked about and visited places in India. With enhanced natural features and more let’s see why Kanyakumari is so popular and why one should visit this place-
- Vivekananda Rock Memorial: named after Swami Vivekananda, a prominent disciple of Ramakrishna and a Hindu monk came to this temple as instructed by his guru (Ramakrishna) and attained enlightenment on the rock. So, a rock memorial was built in his honor in the year 1970. Legends have it that the place got its name from the goddess Devi Kanya Kumari and the rock is exactly where the goddess performed austerity. Visitors too can mediate here as there is a meditation hall attached to the temple for visitors. The place also has a statue of Swami Vivekananda. The memorial is built on one of the two adjacent rocks coming out of the Lakshadweep Sea. Ferry services are available from Kanyakumari to Vivekananda Rocks.
- Kanyakumari Beach: earlier known as Cape Comorin, the Kanyakumari Beach is located at some 10 km away from the heart of the city. What would fascinate you is the multi colored sands that the beach projects. A sojourn to the calm side of the city life, this place is just the perfect spot to spend a pleasant evening with family and friends. A great spot for sightseeing, the sea waves would for sure attract you. The main reason why this spot shouldn’t be missed out is that you can witness the conflux of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Kumari Amman Temple: A thousands of years old Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kumari, the Kumari Amman Temple is located on the seashore facing the sea. The deity in the temple is a young girl holding a rosary in her right hand. It is believed that the idol of the goddess which is sculptured in blue stone was installed by Parasurama (the sixth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu). The name of the goddess stands for “virgin girl”. It is quite interesting that mentions of the temple have been found in ancient scriptures of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Yajurveda. It is one of the popular 51 Shakti Peeth (abode of Goddess). If you happen to visit during the Navratri, you can enjoy the beauty of the festival here which is simply worth witnessing.
- Padmanabhapuram Palace: a pure wooden wonder, the Padmanabhapuram Palace is somewhat 20 km away from Nagercoil and is located in Padmanabhapuram. What you’ll witness here is amazing depiction of the culture and heritage of the country. The place was the former capital of the age old kingdom of Travancore. This placae which is built using only wood and nothing else saw its completion in 1601 AD. A mesmerizing view of the traditional architecture of Kerala. Though the palace is surrounded by Tamil Nadu, yet the place belongs to the government of Kerala and the government body is responsible for the maintenance of the palace. There are a lot of things that you got to see here as the place consists of several complex structures like the Queen Mother’s Palace, Mantrasala (King’s Chamber), Nataksala (Performance hall), the Southern Palace and a four storeyed mansion at the center of the mansion.
- Wax Museum: a unique collection of realistic wax statues, this place is for sure one of its kind museum that you shouldn’t miss when you’re here in Kanyakumari. The wax figures comprise of prominent and popular Indian figures from history and also features some of the important figures from around the world. Apart from those really stunning wax figures you’ll also enjoy some stunning 3D paintings which are very popular among visitors.
- Vattakottai Fort: meaning the ‘circular fort’ is a seaside fort near Kanyakumari. The fort is made up of granite comprising a watch tower, rest rooms and a weapon rooms. What is interesting about this fort is that a portion of it extends to the sea. Standing by the fort, you can relax to the view of the azure Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. There is also a beach nearby the fort which comprises entirely of black sands. Words wouldn’t suffice you got to see this place to believe.
- Thirparappu Falls: a manmade marvel, the Thiraparappu Falls is located some 55 km from Kanyakumari and is a breathtaking sight. The fall is of 50 ft. in height and the water gets collected in a pool which is quite fun spot for kids. Thick green foliage and rich fauna surrounds the place making it even more captivating. While entering the spot you’ll find a small Lord Shiva temple which adds even more charm to the place. When it comes to exploring this place nothing beats a boat ride. Get in to one and enjoy the beauty of the place.
- Thiruvalluvar Statue: situated on a small island near Kanyakumari, this popular monument is dedicated to Thiruvalluvar, an accomplished poet and philosopher. The monument stands at a height of 133 feet and is packed with symbolism one would find in Thiruvalluvar’s poems and cultural interpretations. There is a temple also in the premises of the statue which is meant for meditation and dong so one can experience inner peace in the otherwise hectic city life.
So these were some of the most popular and interesting attractions of Kanyakumari. The next time you plan for a calm and serene vacation, try coming to Kanyakumari.