Kanyakumari travel information, Tamilnadu
Kanyakumari "The land of 'Sangam" (convergence) of the three oceans - Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, Kanyakumari, is the southernmost point of peninsular India and has been enticing tourists due to its geographical positioning. A picturesque sight of sunrise and sunset, long stretches of sand of many hues accentuate the city's serene and astonishing natural environment. Kanyakumari is also a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus.
Tourist Attractions Kumariamman Temple The legend of this temple is as romantic as the place itself. Dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanniyakumari, Parvati who stands guard over the country, the temple is built at the spot where the goddess is believed to have waited for her consort Lord Shiva to come and claim her hand in marriage. At one time the shifting sands at the shores of Kanniyakumari were believed to be multi-hued as a result of the coloured rice that was sprinkled by the approving gods over the couple at their wedding. Equally fascinating is the story about the diamond nose stud worn by the goddess believed to have led many a ship to be shipwrecked on the treacherous rocks near the shore. So bright was the threat of the reflected light from the nose-stud to the unsuspecting ships that the door on the side facing the sea had to be closed for ensuring the safety of the ocean liners.
Vivekananda Rock - The famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built in 1970. Swami Vivekananda is believed to have sat in deep meditation here. There is a dhyana mandapam where one can sit in a serene atmosphere and meditate. The mandapam which stands here in his memory reflects architectural styles from all over India.
Gandhi Memorial - Built in memory of Gandhiji, the memorial is an example of modern architecture. Here, the last remains of Gandhiji are kept for public viewing. The pot containing the remains is placed in such manner that the first sunlight falls on it. The Sangam -Sangam is the meeting point of the three major bodies of water, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is a bathing ghat, with steps leading into the water and a sort of lagoon formed between lands by a series of rocks.
Guganathaswamy Temple - This 1000-year-old temple is said to have been built by Raj Raja Cholan.
Suchindram Temple - This temple, about 13 km north -west of Kanyakumari at Suchindram, is noted for its 'musical' columns and its incredibly tall statue of Hanuman, the monkey god.
The other places of tourist attraction are Udyagiri Fort, Nagaraja Temple, Padmanabha puram Palace.
How to reach By Air -The nearest airport is at Trivandrum (80 km). It is directly connected with Bangalore, Mumbai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, and Chennai by regular flights.
By Rail - Kanyakumari is connected to Trivandrum, Delhi, and Mumbai by broad-gauge railway network. Tirunelvelli (80 km) is the other nearest railway junction and can be reached by road via Nagarkoil (19 km).
By Road -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).
Tourist Destination
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