Kanyakumari Beach

About Kanyakumari Beach

                      Kanyakumari Beach is a beach destination as well as religious spot located towards the southern-most tip of peninsular India. The sun set and sun rise at Kanyakumari Beach, especially during Chaitrapurnima (full moon days in April), are highly popular among visitors. During Chaitrapurnima, visitors can watch both sunset and moon rise simultaneously at Kanyakumari Beach.

Kanyakumari Beach has rocky shores and the sea is rough due to the confluence of the three waters – Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.  The sand of Kanyakumari Beach is famous for its softness and various hues.

There is a light house at Kanyakumari Beach from where panoramic views of the sea are available.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

On the seaside is built a large, beautiful memorial dedicated to the Indian philosopher, Swami Vivekananda, who is said to have meditated here before setting out as one of India's most important religious crusaders. There is a Dhyana Mandapam for one to sit in a serene atmosphere and meditate. This memorial is on two rocky islands projecting from the sea about 400 m offshore. The Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda came here in 1892. The memorial has been built on the Vivekananda Rock where the great philosopher - guide Swami Vivekananda went into meditation that transformed him into one of the most charismatic spiritual leaders of this century.On this rock stands the "Vivekananda Rock Memorial" built in 1970 with a blend of all the architechtural styles of India. A statue of Swamy Vivekananda has been installed inside the memorial building.

Two rocks reach out of the ocean, southeast of the Kumari Amman temple. Both these rocks are fine places from where one gets a view of the land's end of India. One of these is Sri Padaparai, where the footprints of the virgin goddess are seen. Swami Vivekananda sat in meditation on this rock before his journey to the West to spread Hinduism in 1892. There is a meditation hall and its polished floors reflect the huge metal statue of Vivekananda. The sacred 'OM' glows in green on the wall. Sri Padaparai (Padam-feet; Parai - rock) Mandapam is a shrine erected at the spot where the footprint of the Goddess is seen. Poompuhar Shipping Corporation operates frequent ferry services from the shore to the rock memorial at regular intervals. The merger of three seas- Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean can be seen from these rocks. While looking at the horizon, one gets a feeling of nature spraying various colors on water. A museum quite close to the temple, by name Wondering Monk gives more details on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Poompuhar Shipping Corporation is operating frequent ferry service to this rock.

Kanyakumari Bhagavathiamman Temple

Kanyakumari picturesquely situated at the Land's End at the confluence of the three seas, has been attracting vast multitudes of pilgrims and tourists alike. Though the town has grown us a major tourist spot over the years, its frame as a pilgrim center dates back to the puranic era.

Sage Parasurama is said to have installed the deity of Devi Bhagavathi on the shores here. A small gopuram on the northern entrance of the temple leads one to the sanctum. The beautiful image of the Goddess in resplendent glory, with a rosary in her right hand doing eternal penance, bestows on the deotee immense wealth of spiritual energy and peace of mind.

Lord Ganesha, Surya, Bala Soundari, the processional deity of the Goddess, and Lord Ayyappa have separate shrines oon the prakarams. A well inside the second prakaram, known as Moola Ganga Theertham, Provides water for the Devi's abhishekam. The eastern entrance, facing the sea, remains closed throughout the year except for the Aaraattu rituals.

According to a lengend, Banasura, the king of Demons, had obtained a boon from Lord Siva that he could be vanquished only by a virgin. Unable to bear the harassmentof the Asura king, the Devas invoked Goddess Parashakti too redeem them. Shakti came here as a virgin girl and did penance on the shores.

Lord Siva of Suchindrum wished to marry the Goddess, and the wedding was fixed for an auspicious hour before dawn. Devarishi Narada, realising that the marruage will spoil the end of Banasura, falsely heralded the break of dawn by assuming the form of a cock even as the wedding party was on its way to kanniyakumari. The Divine wedding did not take place as siva returned to Suchindrum disappointed. The Devi also resumed Her penance on the rock, now known as Sripadaparai, a few hundred metres offshore.

Meanwhile, Banasura heard about the beauty of the girl and came to request Her hand in marriage. When Devi rejected the idea, the demon king decided to win her by force. This led to a fierce battle, in which the Goddess killed the demon. The relieved Devas returned blessed.

The Sripadaparai is now known as Swami Vivekananda Rock, where the holy feet of the Goddess is enshrined.

The tradition here is to take a holy dip at the bathing ghat at the confluence of the three seas. There are about 25 Theerthams on the shores.