Prime Attractions of Kanyakumari
§ Temple Of Goddess Bhagavathi : Few temples in
India are more picturesquely located than that of Goddess Bhagavathi in
Kannyakumari. It stands near where three oceans meet: the Indian Ocean,
the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
In its early form the temple seems to have been built by the first
Pandyas. The Nayaks expanded it later. There are three Prakaras. The image
of the Goddess in the sanctum is marvellous in its serenity and
beneficence. She carries a necklace in Her right hand. The eastern gate,
facing the Bay of Bengal is opened only five times a year.
§ Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial : On the
evening of December 25, 1892, Swami Vivekananda
who
had come to Kannyakumari 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 he attended the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, an event of
seminal importance in the modern history of Hinduism. To commemorate his
visit to the rock a superb memorial has been erected. It attracts
thousands of visitors.
§ Kumari Amman Temple : Kumari Amman Temple is
dedicated to Parvati as Devi Kanya, the Virgin Goddess who did penance to
obtain the hand of Lord Shiva.
§ The Temple At Suchindram : Tradition connects
the Kannyakumari temple with that in Suchindram (13-km from Kanyakumari).
This is a fine, large fane, with a beautiful tank. It is one of the few
temples in the country where the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Isvara, are
worshipped. The Linga, named "Sthanumalaya", 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.
Fairs and Festivals of Kanyakumari
§ Cape Festival : Kanyakumari, also known as
Cape Comorin is located at the southern most tip of India, where the Bay
of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. A dip in the ocean here
is considered holy, but the sea is rough here and not fit for bathing.
This is the only place in India, where the sunset and moonrise can be
viewed simultaneously on a full moon day.
The Vivekananda memorial set amidst the sea is a place known to give
mental emancipation. The Cape festival is celebrated on a large scale for
three days at Kanyakumari. The festival is marked by a series of cultural
programs.
Places to stay in Kanyakumari
Varied accommodation options varying from luxurious to economic hotels,
lodges, Devasthanam cottages are available for tourists in Kanyakumari.
How to Get There
Air : The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram
(80-km), which is well connected with national and International flights.
From Thiruvananthapuram one can take a taxi or bus to Kanyakumari.
Rail : Kanyakumari is well connected by train services
with all the places in India. Superfast trains connect the southern most
railhead of India with northern cities like Jammu and Delhi. Intercity
trains are running from almost all the southern cities.
Road : Kanyakumari is connected by regular bus
services with Chennai, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Trichy, Madurai, Mandapam
(Rameshwaram), Nagercoil, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Tiruvelveli, Trivandrum,
etc. Town bus service, tourist taxis and auto rickshaws are available.
Tour Packages of Kanyakumari
