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Kanyakumari
Population : 18,900
Best Season : October to March
STD Codes : 04652
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.
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.
Places of Interest
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.
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.
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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