Kanyakumari

Introduction: Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India and the confluence of three oceans, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Ocean and the Indian Ocean. It is well known as the main Hindu pilgrims center of India. It is said that views of sunrise and sunset over the water is mind blowing and very rare of its kind in the world. Beaches of Kanyakumari look like rainbow, because sand is multicolored here. Once referred as the Alexandria of the East, Kanyakumari has been great center of art, culture, civilization and pilgrimage for numerous years.

History: Kannyakumari has been named after the Goddess Kannyakumari Amman who is the popular deity of the area. It merged with Tamil Nadu in 1956 under the State Linguistic Reorganization Act. It was once referred to as the Alexandra of the East. Kanyakumari was under the control of the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks who were great rulers of south India. These rulers also take credit for constructing marvelous temples here. The British named Kanyakumari as Cape Comorin, because they could not pronounce its name. During the Raj, it was also major center for trade and commercial port.

Places of interest: The Kumar Amman or The Kanyakumari Temple attracts tourists from all over the world. Located on the shore, this beautiful temple is dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess, who did penance to obtain Lord Shiva’s hand in marriage. It is famous for the nose-ring made of diamond that the deity wears, as it can be seen also from the ocean. The image of the goddess, to say the least, is stunning. You can also visit the ghats that surround the temple. The temple is strategically located at the meeting point of the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.

Travel information: Located on the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari is the picturesque place of Tamil Nadu famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset especially on full moon days. 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. Trivandrum is the nearest airport, which directly connects to the main cities of India. It is also connected to Mumbai, Delhi and Trivandrum through board gauge network.