Kanyakumari is the one of the favorite tourist destinations in India.
This famous tourist destination has many fascinating attractions for
its tourists that depict the glorious past and the cultural beauty of
Kanyakumari. There are many mesmerizing tourist attractions in
Kanyakumari that are worth visiting and exploring by all the visitors
who visits Kanyakumari. While Kanyakumari town has
tourist places
of its own, the district has many more, from centuries-old historic
and religious sites to scenic places. The district is also rich in
flora and fauna. A unique feature of Kanyakumari district is that it
has all kinds of natural eco-systems. Thus, one can see beaches,
mountain valleys, evergreen forests in the deep interior, rubber and
clove plantations on the highlands, etc. - all in a 50 km radius of
Nagercoil, the administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District.
There are many
tourist places in Kanyakumari to marvel
at, and your tour to Kanyakumari will definitely turn out to be a
gratifying one. The following are some of the many popular kanyakumari
tourist places-
Kumari Amman Temple
Kanyakumari Temple also known as Kumari Amman Temple is located on the
shore and is devoted to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess
who did penance to obtain Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. Kumari Amman
Temple was built by the Pandya kings in 8th century and extensively
renovated by the Chola, Vijayanagar and Nayaka rulers.
The temple is located picturesquely and commands breathtaking views of
the surrounding natural beauty. You will be amazed to find that the
diamond nose ring of the deity can even be witnessed from the sea.
Inside the temple there is an 18th century shrine with the foot prints
of the goddess Kumari who performed her penance at this spot. There are
also shrines to Vijayasundari and Balasundari, friends and playmates of
the Goddess in her youthful form.
There are a total of 11 theerthams associated with the temple in the
ocean surrounding the area. The confluence of the seas, at the southern
tip of the subcontinent has been held sacred for centuries. Non-Hindus
are not allowed in the temple premise.
Gandhi Memorial
Gandhi Memorial is the place where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi, the
Father of Nation were kept before immersion. The building is designed
in such a way that on 2 October, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday the first
rays of the sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept. This
beautiful monument was completed in 1956. This temple resembles a
temple in Orissa. Its central shape is 79 feet high representing the
age of the Mahatma. The memorial was transferred to the administrative
control of the Public (Information and Public Relations) Department
from Public Works Department of Government of Tamil Nadu in the year
1978.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Vivekananda Rock Memorial is one of the most interesting places to see
in the southern part of India. Vivekananda Rock Memorial stands on top
of a two rocks that are situated approximately 500 meters off the
island.
Swami Vivekananda who had come to Kanyakumari on pilgrimage swam to the
rock and spent the whole night there in deep meditation. He then
resolved to decide himself to the service of the Motherland and to
spread the message of Vedanta. Next year i.e. in 1893 he attended the
World Religious Conference in Chicago, an event of seminal importance
in the modern history of Hinduism. The Memorial commemorates the visit
of Swami Vivekananda to “Shripada Parai” during 24th, 25th and 26th
December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment.
On this rock stands the "Vivekananda Rock Memorial" built in 1970 with a
blend of all the architectural 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.
A meditation hall (Dhyana Mandapam) is also attached to the memorial
for visitors to meditate. The design of the mandapa incorporates
different styles of temple architecture from all over India. The
meditation hall and its polished floors reflect the huge metal statue of
Vivekananda. The memorial consists of two main structures, the
Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. The sacred 'OM' glows
in green on the wall.
Although the Vivekananda Rock Memorial itself is fairly recent and
built around the 1970's, the two rocks themselves have been there since
the millennia. Vivekananda Rock Memorial is open everyday and attracts
many visitors constantly.
Courtallam Falls
Courtallam Falls is a beautiful waterscape that is found in the city
which is a very famous attraction for which many people come to visit
in great numbers every year.
Kamarajar Mani Mandapa Monument
Kamarajar Manimandapam is a monument that is filled
with rich cultural heritage. Kamarajar Manimandapam is dedicated to
Late Sri Kamarajar, a freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu, also President of Indian National Congress before
independence. Sri Kamarajar was one of the most liked leader of the
Indian people. Sri Kamarajar was also known by the name of Black Gandhi
among the masses and king maker during congress regime. This building,
where his ashes were kept for general mass to pay homage before
immersion into the sea is today widely visited by people of the state
to show their gratitude.
Thiruvalluvar Statue
Near the Vivekananda Memorial, there is an imposing 40
meter high statue of Tiruvalluvar, the 1st century BC Tamil poet, who
wrote the epic Thirukkural, often considered as one of the greatest
classics of Tamil literature.
Thirukkural is a precious gem among the classics,
unique in the deliverance of code of conduct to the mankind to follow
for all time to come. It enshrines in it 1330 couplets under 133
chapters, each chapter comprising 10 verses. The chapters again fall
under three major divisions. Virtue, Wealth and Love. This treatise
encompasses the whole gamut of human life and by Thiruvalluvar, its
illustrious author illuminates every bit of it! This classical work
written in Tamil, has been translated in over 60 languages of the
world.
The Government of Tamil nadu had a vision beyond the
Horizon. It was opened in January 1, 2000 (Millennium) and is located
atop a small island near the town of Kanyakumari, where two seas and an
ocean meet; the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
The structure is a standing mammoth commanding a total
height of 133 ft - statue with 95ft and the pedestal supporting it
with 38ft. An artistic peripheral wall around the statue, thereby forms
a captivating mandap. The pedestal represents the 38 chapters on
'Virtue' and the 95ft statue standing on the pedestal represents
'Wealth' and 'Pleasure' signifying that Wealth and Love be earned and
enjoyed on the foundation of Virtue solid. The statue, with its slight
bend around the waist is reminiscent of a dancing pose of the ancient
Indian deities like Nataraja. It was sculpted by the Indian sculptor
Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapathi, who also created the Iraivan Temple.
The rocks for the sculpture came from Sirudhamoor,
Pattumalaikuppam Hills and Ambhasamudram Hills. The stone work was
divided amongst three workshops, in Kanyakumari, Ambasamudram and
Shankarapuram. Ambasamudram contributed 5,000 tons of stones, while
Shankarapuram was quarried for 2,000 tons of high quality granite
stones for the outer portion of the statue. While the largest of the
3,681 stones weighed over 15 tons, the majority weighed three to eight
tons. Stumps of Palmyra tree and poles of casuarinas (ironwood) were
used for scaffolding. It took 18,000 casuarinas poles tied together
with two truckloads of ropes to reach the top of the statue.
Statistical details of the statue:
- Height of the statue 95 feet
- Height of the pedestal 38 feet
- Statue along with the pedestal 133 feet
- Height of the face 10 feet
- Height of the body part 30 feet
- Height of the thigh part 30 feet
- Height of the leg part 20 feet
- Fore arm 10 feet
- Length of the manuscript 10 feet
- Width of the shoulder 30 feet
- Length of the hairdo 5 feet
- Peripheral wall including the statue & mandap 60 * 50 feet
- 10 Elephants, each as tall as 5' 6 inches
- Weight of the pedestal, statue and the wall 7000 tones
- Sculptures and other workmen 500
- Chief Sculptor : Thiru V.Ganapathi Sthapathi
This monument was hit by the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 26, 2004.
Keeriparai
Keeriparai is one of the most beautiful natural
attractions that you can come and see when you visit Kanyakumari.
Keeriparai was a natural habitat that has been transformed into a
natural trek for those tourists who wish to see the lush jungles of
India. Keeriparai has a wide variety of Fauna and Flora that is
unparallel by many natural treks and habitats in the world. Keeriparai
haven’t been publicized much by the Forest Department for various
reasons. There are also a few small waterfalls in this area - the
popular one being Vattaparai Falls. Maramalai, which is further up in
the hills of Keeriparai is famous for Wild elephants.
Kodhayar
Kodhayar is about 60 km long, and it does require a
very interesting wild path with some thrilling 'hair-pin bends' and
U-turns to get there. Kodhayar is a natural habitat in which you can
see a variety of fauna and flora. At Kodhayar one can see bison and
bears along with different wild animals. However, Kodhayar is
definitely a very nice wild park and a habitat that needs to be seen
when in India.
Lord Subramanya Temple
Kumarakovil is at the foot of the Velimalai hills in
Kalkulam, about 34-km from Kannyakumari. It has pillars and towers that
give it a magnificent look. The Lord Muruga Temple is built on the
hillock about 200 feet height in a lush green field of Paddy, Plantain
and Coconut trees. The side of the Lord also enshrines goddess Valli,
the spouse of Lord Subramanya in the temple. In the right side of the
temple there is one big lake, suitable for boating. Lord Subramanya
Temple has also attracted thousands of pilgrimage visitors from all
over India.
Maruthuvazh Malai
Marunthuvazh Malai is located near Kottaram about 7 km
from Kanyakumari town on the Kanyakumari-Nagercoil highway. According
to a Hindu legend, Lord Hanuman dropped a piece of earth as he was
carrying a mountain with his life-saving herb, Mrita Sanjivani from the
Himalayas to Sri Lanka during the Rama-Ravana for healing the fatal
wounds of Lakshman. This piece of earth now stands 800 feel tall. This
chunk of earth is called Marunthuvazh Malai, which is literally
translated to "hills where medicine lives". This is said to be the
reason for the abundance of unique native medicinal plants in the area.
Mathur Hanging Trough
The Mathur Hanging Bridge near Thiruvattar in the
District is the tallest as well as the longest trough bridge in Asia,
with a height of 115 feet and a length of one kilometer. Completed in
1966, this bridge has become a place of attraction for hundreds of
tourists visiting every day.
Mathur Hanging Trough is an aqueduct that carries
irrigation water through a canal between two hills. The canal itself
goes above a small river. Built on very high pillars, is one of the
biggest aqueducts, both in height and length, in Asia. The view from the
middle of the aqueduct of the surrounding hills and vegetation, and
the small river flowing down below, is breathtaking.
The Kanyakumari District Administration has recently
put up a staircase from top to the bottom of the bridge and has also
built a children's park and bathing platforms over here to attract more
tourists.
Nagaraja Temple
Nagaraja Temple is a temple that symbolizes the rich
cultural heritage of India. Nagaraja Temple is a dedication monument
that has been erected for the honoring the name of Nagaraja which is
the Serpent God in the Hindu religion. In the month of Avani, this
temple becomes the pilgrimage point of many Hindu especially on
Sundays.
Olakaruvi Falls
Olakaruvi Falls is one of the many waterfalls that is
situated in Kanyakumari. According to the old legends Olakaruvi Falls
has the rejuvenating power for the old people. Olakaruvi waterfalls,
about 20 km from Nagercoil is on the middle of a hill and requires an
hour's trek by foot from the base of the hill due to its popularity
many people go there.
However, it is better to go in a group, as it is a forested area.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
When you think of palaces then perhaps besides England
with its famous palaces, the second place that comes into the mind is
definitely India. Padmanabhapuram Palace is one of these many palaces
that symbolize the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India that has
been around for many centuries.
Padmanabhapuram is an ancient town and also one of the
four municipalities in the district situated just 35 km from
Kanyakumari. This town has a magnificent fort spread over an area of
187 acres. The palace is present at the very centre of this Fort,
amidst hills, dales and rivers.
What is interesting about this palace is the fact that
Padmanabhapuram Palace is made entirely from wood and not any other
substance. This town has a magnificent fort spread over an area of 187
acres. The palace is present at the very centre of this Fort, amidst
hills, dales and rivers. Kerala Government is responsible for
maintaining this magnificent palace and Padmanabhapuram Palace draws
hundreds of visitors every day continuously. It is one of the best 10
palaces in the world.
Pechiparai Reservoir
Reservoir is situated about 43 km away from Nagercoil,
close to the Pechiparai village of Kanyakumari district. The pechiparai
reservoir was originated by the groundwork of the pechiparai dam. The
reservoir plays a major role is supplying the drinking water and it is
also used in irrigation of crops. The pechiparai reservoir holds the
least storage capacity of just 22.49% however, it assists the farmers
to use the water to take care of their crops.
Pechiparai Reservoir is a must see for the nature
lovers as the clouds touch the top of the hills around the dams on a
misty day.
Sanguthurai Beach
Sanguthurai Beach is one of the nicest beaches that you
should go to, during your visit to Kanyakumari. Sanguthurai Beach,
about 8 km from Nagercoil. Here you can experience the fierce power of
the Indian Ocean. However, Sanguthurai Beach is a pretty peaceful place
with plenty palm trees and white sand that sets a perfect background
to the coastline. In addition its lukewarm temperature is perfect for
swimming especially in the summer time. Sanguthurai Beach was hit by
the Indian Ocean Tsunami, but authorities have taken steps to improve
facilities again.
Chitharal Jain Monuments
Chitharal Jain Monuments are one of the culturally rich
monuments. Almost every day, you can see people who are traveling to
Chitharal Jain Monuments to honor their Gods and values. Chitharal Jain
Monuments houses impressive rock shelters and idols dated 9 -11th
Century. This monument grabs the attention of quite number of visitors
with its excellent mesmerizing divine and spiritual values. Plenty
number of visitors make their visit to the place and enjoy the beauty of
its rich look.
Sothavilai Beach
Sothavilai Beach has white sand and very clear water
such that you can see the bottom of the sea. It is one of the better
beaches of the Indian Ocean which allows you to rest in the calm waters
of the ocean. Sothavilai Beach is about 7 km from the main town.
Sothavilai Beach was damaged in the big tsunami that took place couple
of years ago. However, authorities have taken steps to improve
facilities again.
St Xavier Church
Nagercoil has the St. Francis Xavier's church at
Kottar, where the missionary, St. Francis Xavier resided when he did
his missionary work in the nearby areas. The “Church of Our Lady of
Joy” built by St. Francis Xavier is located at the southern edge of the
town. The church is believed to have been founded in the year 1540.
The sandy beaches and the multi colored granite rocks are among other
attractions here. The Church of St. Xavier enjoys a great fame and is
visited by large numbers of devotes during the annual festival
celebrated in between November and December which lasts for 10 days.
Suchindram
13-km from Kanyakumari, Suchindram is a small village
that you must definitely go to understand the rich cultural heritage of
India. The major spotlight of the place is the famous Sthanumalayan
Temple, which is notably marked for its artistic treasures. The main
deity in the form of a shivlinga is in three parts; the top represents
Lord Shiva, the middle Lord Vishnu, and the base Lord Brahma. "Sthanu"
is a name of Shiva, "Mal" of Vishnu, and "Ayan" of Brahma; thus the
name "Sthanumalaya”.
This temple is greatly known for its unique musical
columns and it has a 6 meter tall statue of Lord Hanuman. It is one of
the best places to go in order to understand the rich religious and
cultural heritage of India. Suchindram is also a place where a major
naval engagement took place between the Dutch and the locals here.
Swamithoppe
Swamithoppe is a town that is situated in Kanyakumari.
It is a small village that attracts many visitors every year. Its main
strength and popularity arises from the fact that this small village
was the place where the Ayyavazhi religion was founded in the 19th
century. In fact many followers of this religion today still pilgrimage
over there in order to fulfill their religious requirements.
You can see the temple where Ayya Valkundar lived and
you can visit the historical well of Muttirikkinaru in which all castes
were allowed to use water in the 19th century. It also includes the
Swamithope Pathi (headquarters of Ayyavazhi), a famous temple in
Tamilnadu, situated 10 km to the northwest. It is not structurally
massive temple, but is known for its non-idolatry system of worship.
Thengapattinam Beach
Thengapattinam Beach is located on the west coast near
Painkulam village in Vilancode Taluka which is just is 35 km from
Nagercoil and 54 km from Kanyakumari. It is a fine beach adorned with
coconut groves and white sand. It is also a magnificent estuary where
the river meets the sea. Riding in a catamaran in the river can be a
pleasant experience which can be arranged through local fishermen. It
is one of the perfect picnic spot with its background trees that
provide shade and comfort to the visitor.
Thirunandhikarai Cave Temple
Thirunandhikarai Cave Temple is a very ancient temple
that is a symbolic pillar of Indian religion and culture.
Thirunandikkara temple is about 20 km and this rock-cut cave temple of
Pallava art can be traced back to seventh and eighth century AD. There
are many sculptures inside the temple which are extinct now. The
Thirunandhikarai Cave Temple is one of the founding stones of the
Jainism region. Currently the Thirunandhikarai Cave Temple is under the
purview and care of Archeological Survey of India.
Thiruparrapu Falls
About 60km from Kanyakumari are Thirparappu Waterfalls,
a picturesque spot with an ancient Mahadevar Temple, which is popular
among the locals and Keralites.
The water fall at Tirparappu is about 13 km. from
Pechiparai dam. The river bed is rocky and about 300 feet in length.
The water falls from a height of nearly 50 feet and the water flows for
about seven months in a year. On the left bank of the river in between
the water falls and the wall, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Siva
enclosed by strong fortification. The District Administration has
recently constructed a swimming pool here which is very popular among
the children.
Tiruchendur Temple
Tiruchendur Temple is situated near the sea and it has
borders to the sea on the North and on the East side of the temple.
Tiruchendur Temple is Aarupadai veedu shrines of Lord Murugan that is
known throughout India. Tiruchendur Temple is definitely one of the
most visited temples in the southern most part of India. Tiruchendur
Temple has been around for more than 5 centuries.
Tsunami Monument
Tsunami Monument is a special monument erected to honor
those people who died in the southern coast of India due to Tsunami
that took place in 2004.
Udayagiri Fort
Udayagiri Fort is a worth visiting site in Kanyakumari
owing to its magnificent structure and quite surrounding atmosphere.
The fort was rebuilt in the reign of Marthanda Varma, the Venad King,
during 1741-44. In the early days, the fort was of strategic
importance. Prisoners captured in the campaign against Tippu Sultan
were confined in this fort for sometime. It is also the tomb-site of the
king's trusted European general Captain De Lannoy.
Recently, the district administration has established
Biodiversity Park here in collaboration with the forest department of
Kanyakumari. Tourists can see deer, ducks, fountains, birds and over
100 varieties of trees inside the fort.
Vattakottai Fort
Vattakottai Fort is a specially erected fort on the sea
coastline on the southern tip of India. Vattakottai Fort is a circular
fort and is set up as the southern most sea coast defense point by the
Dutch. This fort was constructed under the command of Captain De
Lannoy. Vattakottai Fort is made out of stone and it is a major tourist
attraction today. Vattakottai Fort is also famous for the black sand
beach that is situated across its coast.
Wax Museum
Wax Museum is situated in Kanyakumar. The museum houses
all the important figures of the Indian History as well as the world
history in wax form. The wax figures are realistic and the Wax Museum
is reminiscent of its famous counterpart in London. There are also many
current international figures like the wax counterpart of Arnold
Schwarzenegger.
In a nutshell, Kanyakumari is a place dotted with various
tourist places
which are worth visiting once in a lifetime. So plan your trip to
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