Kanyakumari is the last place god made (in India), right at the bottom of the peninsula where the waters of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal ebb and flow into each other.
Kanyakumari owes its popularity as a tourist destination to both its sanctity as a pilgrimage site and to nature’s generosity. The never-ending horizon, the confluence of three seas, brilliant sun rises and sunsets, the rare sight of the sun and moon sharing a horizon and a beach that is as beautiful as it is dangerous add their own allure to the magic of Kanyakumari.
How to Reach Kanyakumari?
By Air : The nearest airport to Kanyakumari is at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum-80km). The airport has direct connections to Bangalore, Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, Goa and Chennai.
By Rail : The Railway Station is barely 1 km from the town with excellent express and superfast train connections to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
By Road : Regular bus services connect Kanyakumari to Chennai, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Trichy, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam, Kochi and other places in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala.
Best Time to Visit Kanyakumari
The temperatures are more or less constant through the year. Though the best time to visit Kanyakumari would be anytime between October to March when the day time temperatures are a salubrious 25-30 degrees C making it very comfortable weatherwise. Whichever month you visit be sure to include a full moon night in your stay. The sunsets and the moon rises at the horizon almost simultaneously, in breathtaking synchrony.
The summer months between April and May are hot with temperatures touching the 35 degree C mark. The rains hit in the beginning of June though and carry on till early August.
Things to do in Kanyakumari
The list of things to do around the tip of India Kanyakumari includes a visit to the famous Kanyakumari Temple here as also a visit to the Rock Memorial. Surrounding Kanyakumari are some small towns where there are small temples that pilgrims flock to. Shop for some shell artifacts, and try the local cuisine in the area.
Places Near Kanyakumari
A visit to these nearby places when you are in Kanyakumari, is a must.
Nagercoil is the District Headquarter of Kanyakumari and only 19 kms away. It is named after a temple here that is dedicated to the Lord of Snakes or Nagaraja. St. Xavier’s Church at Nagercoil dates back to the 15th century. It holds a 10-day festival every year from the 24th of November. Close to Nagercoil are the Olakkay Aruvi waterfalls, which make a good spot for a picnic.
Suchindram is a popular pilgrim town 13 km from Kanyakumari. Its temple is dedicated to a deity that is a combination of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, i.e. the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer. It has richly carved gopuram (tower), musical pillars and works of art from various periods.
Kumarakovil 34 kms from Kanyakumari is popular for its Lord Subramanya temple, which is situated in the midst of lush greenery on a hillock. It is noted for its architecture and the lake near it is big enough to boat in.
The Mondaikaddu Bhagvathy Amman Temple 41 km from Kanyakumari is a small 7th century BC temple that attracts a regular flow of pilgrims from around the area. The Amman in the shape of a five-headed anthill is 12ft. high and still growing.
Thengapattinam Beach is an ancient maritime town that used to service trade with the Middle East. 54 kms from Kanyakumari it makes fro a great getaway. It has a 1200-year-old mosque and in addition, the beach here is clean and free of the regular tourist crowd, and the water here is perfect for swimming.
Padmanabhapuram 45 km from Kanyakumari has an old fort, which encloses the palace of the Travancore kings, and the Ramaswamy temple that carved panels of scenes from the Ramayan.
Pechipparai Dam is only 56 km away and offers a waterside spot for picnics and boating facilities.
Udayagiri Fort 34 km away from Kanyakumari was built in the 18th century by King Marathanda and contains the tomb of his trusted general, a Dutchman General De Lennoy.
Vattakottai , 6km from Kanyakumari, houses an 18th Century Circular Fort. You can enjoy a swim in the sea because the waters are tranquil here.
Hotels in Kanyakumari – Choice is Yours
There are numerous hotels in Kanyakumari ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.