Nyakumari is a city in the southern part of Tamil Nadu state which is very popular for tourism. Located at the southernmost point of India, Kanyakumari is one of the most attractive places in India.
It is the confluence of Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, whose mesmerizing shade attracts tourists here.
The city of Kanyakumari in the southern tip of India has been a symbol of art, culture and civilization for centuries. It also has its own importance as a tourist destination of India.
The sunrise and sunset view of Kanyakumari amidst the huge waves of the sea spread far and wide is very attractive. The colorful sand spread on the beach makes it very attractive in its beauty.
Kanyakumari Beach Tourist Attractions
Apart from picnicking, Kanyakumari Beach is also a religious site located at the southern tip of peninsular India. The view of sunrise and sunset at Kanyakumari beach is amazing.
There are huge crowds to witness it, especially on Chaitra Poornima (April full moon). Kanyakumari beach is a rocky beach.
And in this sea three seas meet the waters of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. This beach is famous for its colorful and soft sand.
Udaygiri Fort
Udayagiri Fort is located at Puliyorkurichi, 14 km from Nagarkol town on the Thiruvananthapuram-Nagarkol National Highway. Udayagiri Fort was built by King Martanda Varma.
And during his reign the fort was named Fort de Lanoy. The tombs of de Lannoy and his wife and son can be seen in the castle.
Apart from this, casting of guns can also be seen inside the fort. The fort also has a Biodiversity Park where more than 100 species of trees along with deer, ducks, birds are the center of attraction for the people.
Kanyakumari Temple
Kanyakumari temple is the main attraction of this city. It is also known as Kanyakumari Bhagavathyman temple. Kumari Amman Temple was originally built in the 8th century by the kings of the Pandya dynasty.
It was later rebuilt by the Chola, Vijayanagara and Nayak rulers. According to legends, Goddess Kanyakumari and Lord Shiva were not married, as a result of which the goddess resolved to remain a virgin.
It is believed that the rice and grains prepared for the wedding were left uncooked and turned to stone. Grain-like stones can still be seen today.
Vivekananda Memorial Rock
Kanyakumari India Fascinating Place Vivekananda Memorial Rock is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, founder of Ramakrishna Mission.
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built between 1963 and 1970 in red and blue granite. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial has two main structures.
– Vivekananda Mandapam and Sripada Mandapam. Sripada Mandapam is located at Sripada Parai and bears the footprints of Kanyakumari Devi. It is believed that Swami Vivekananda meditated here.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kanyakumari is one of the major attractions of Tamil Nadu.
Padmanabhapuram Palace is located in Padmanabhapuram village of Kanyakumari district, near Thakle, about 15 km from Nagarkoil and 55 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
Padmanabhapuram Palace is one of the top ten palaces in the world. Padmanabhapuram Palace is spread over 6 acres and is situated at the foothills of the Valley Hills of the Western Ghats.
The palace was built in the 17th century by Eravipillai Eravivarma Kulasekhara Perumal. Padmanabhapuram Palace is mostly made of wood.
Which shows the traditional architectural style of Kerala. This is a must see whenever you come to visit Kanyakumari.
Our Lady of Ransom Church
The church is an attractive example of Gothic architecture that was built in the 15th century. Our Lady of Ransom Church was built in memory of Mother Mary.
There is a gold cross on the central tower of the church. There are huge crowds of people visiting Kanyakumari to see it as it is one of the main tourist spots there.
Kamarajar Manimandapam
Kamarajar Manimandapam (Kamaraja Manimandapam) is built in memory of Sri Kamaraj, Independence and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Kamarajar Manimandapam is located near the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial.
The memorial is built on the same spot where his ashes were kept before the cremation to pay tribute to the public. Mr. Kamarajar was popularly known as ‘Black Gandhi’.
Tiruchendur Temple
Tiruchendur Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Temple is located in Tiruchendur city, about 80 km from Kanyakumari, 60 km from Tirunelveli and 40 km from Tuticorin.
This temple is the second abode of Lord Murugan or Santilandvar, one of the Arupadaivedus. The Murugan Temple of Tiruchendur is situated on top of a hill.
Which is known as Chandana Hill. It is believed that Lord Muruga defeated the demon Sourapadma and worshiped Lord Shiva at this place.
Olakaruvi Falls
Olakuruvi Falls is located about 80 km from Thiruvananthapuram, 39 km from Nagarkol and 20 km from Kanyakumari.
Olkaruvi Falls is located in the middle of a hill in the Western Ghats. It can be reached by an hour’s trek through the rocky forest area from the foothills.
This waterfall has two other smaller waterfalls. It is situated on a hill at an altitude of about 200 meters and the waterfall below is a very popular picnic spot.
Tsunami Memorial
The Tsunami Memorial is a special monument here. It is built to honor those who lost their lives along the southern coast of India due to the heartbreaking and devastating tsunami that struck a few years ago.
Tourists from all over the world come here to see the Tsunami Memorial. Apart from this, people who lost their loved ones in the tsunami also come here to pay their respects.
Gandhi Memorial
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial or Gandhi Mandapam in Kanyakumari has always been a tourist attraction. This monument was built to honor the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
The Gandhi Memorial has been constructed in such a way that every year on 2nd October at noon, the sun’s rays fall on the spot where Gandhiji’s remains were kept before cremation.
When to go to Kanyakumari
October to February:
October can be described as the perfect time to visit Kanyakumari to enjoy beach sightseeing and other water activities.
Although the air may be slightly humid during the day at this time, cool sea breezes in the evening make for beautiful sunset views. Also, the famous Cape Festival is celebrated during this month.
Which attracts many people to visit Kanyakumari. November begins the winter season in Kanyakumari, when there is no humidity and the weather is pleasant.
December to February is the peak tourist season when day and night temperatures are moderate. As it is winter season, the temperature does not rise above 30 degrees Celsius.
March to May:
The temperature in March is mild but in Kanyakumari during the summer months from April to May the temperature reaches up to 35 degrees Celsius.
The humidity here is also high in this season. But the cool sea breeze in the evening is a pleasant experience for people.
You can best enjoy surfing and swimming in Kanyakumari during these months as the sea remains calm.
June to September:
These are monsoon months in Kanyakumari. Rain falls in the months of June to September as Kanyakumari receives heavy rainfall in the months of July and August.
You can enjoy this beautiful weather in your visit to Kanyakumari during these monsoon months as well as you can enjoy the lush green natural beauty of Kanyakumari during monsoon season.
Being off season, you can enjoy attractive discounts on hotels and restaurants in Kanyakumari during this time.
How to reach Kanyakumari
The nearest airport to Kanyakumari is Trivandrum International Airport which is located at a distance of 67 km from Kanyakumari. It is well connected by air to major cities of India as well as some Gulf countries.
Many major airlines of India are present to reach this airport. Apart from this, many Kanyakumari Road Transport buses ply from Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Trivandrum and Bangalore to Kanyakumari through which you can reach here.
Also you can reach here by Kanyakumari Express from Mumbai and Bangalore. Kanyakumari is a major railway station where after reaching you can take a taxi to reach Kanyakumari city.