|
|
Kanyakumari (also spelt as Kanniyakumari) district is
bounded by Tirunelveli district in the north and northeast, by
Kerala state in the
northwest and confluence of Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean in the west and
south. The coastline is almost regular except for some points of land
projecting into the sea at Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari is the district
headquarters of the district of the same name.
The
City Of Kanyakumari
At the southern most land tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian
Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kannyakumari, an important pilgrim
centre. Kannyakumari is famous for its beach and the spectacular sunrises
and sunsets, especially on full moon days. Kanyakumari is also famous for
its vast green stretches of paddy fields, rich forests, coconut groves and
mineral sands.
It's Name
Kannyakumari has been named after the Goddess Kannyakumari Amman who is
the popular deity of the area. Legend has it that the Goddess Parvati in
one of her incarnations as Devi Kanniya did penance on one of the rocks of
this land's end to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva.
The History Of Kanyakumari
Kanniyakumari district, once known as "The Granary of Travancore"
lies at the southwestern part of Indian peninsula. It was in Travancore
for a long time and then merged with Tamil Nadu in 1956 under the State
Linguistic Reorganisation Act.
Kanyakumari Beach
The Kanyakumari beach is a beautiful sight with multi-coloured sand. The
beach here does not really offer one the opportunity to sunbathe on soft
golden sands, or to frolic in the waves either. The seashore is rocky and
dangerous, and there is a manmade wall running along it. People are warned
to stay off the rocks, and when if someone ventures out of bounds, he or
she is quickly and severely reprimanded by a watchful policeman. There is
a lighthouse from where one can get a panoramic view.
The
sea is fairly rough, so it is entertaining to watch it beat itself against
the rocks and then subside, before it gathers itself up for another
attack. With long stretches of sands of many hues, the beach offers a
welcome change. A variety of shells are on sale on the Kanyakumari beach.
Pilgrim Rites Performed
Pilgrimage rites include bathing at Pitru and Matru Tirtha, two rocks
over which a monument honouring Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu religious
leader, was built in 1970.
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.
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.
Gandhi Mandapam
Not far from the Kumari Amman Temple is the Gandhi Mandapam, constructed
at the spot where the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept
for public view before a portion of its contents was immersed in the three
seas. It resembles an Oriyan temple and was designed so that on Gandhiji's
birthday (2nd October), the sun's rays fall on the place where his ashes
were kept.
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.
Famous Temples Around Kanyakumari: -
Nagaraja Temple at Nagercoil
19-km from Kannyakumari is Nagercoil, which
contains the celebrated Nagaraja temple. The sanctum is a simple thatched
shed, with mud walls. It enshrines the King of Serpents. Tradition states
that a King of Kalakkad was cured of leprosy when he performed penance in
the temple. He then rebuilt it in the
Kerala style. He
might have been Bhuthalavira Sri Vira Udaya Marthandavarma, who ruled
Venad, with Kalakkad as his capital, from 1516 to 1535. It is believed
that snakebite is not fatal within a kilometre of the temple. The fane has
some Jain sculptures.
Tirunelveli
The temple of Swami Nelliappar and Sri Kanthimathi Ambal in Tirunelveli
(83-km from Kanyakumari) dates back at least to the seventh century.
Sambandar has sung it, and Ninrasir Neumaran, the Pandya, is said to have
commissioned the making of musical pillars in a Mandapa in this temple.
Originally, there were two temples side by side, dedicated to Lord
Nelliappar and Goddess Kanthimathi. They were linked by a Mandapa, the "chain"
Mandapa, built in 1647. The oldest inscription belongs to the middle of
the tenth century.
Sankaranainarkoil
Sankaranainarkoil has three shrines dedicated to Lord Sankaralinga, to
Goddess Gomathi Amman and, between these two, to Lord Sankaranarayana, a
combination of Shiva and Vishnu. The temple was built in the eleventh
century and was expanded later. The Gopura is of nine storeys and is 38m
high. The temple is famous for the miracles the Goddess performs in curing
illness.
Subramanya Temple in Tiruchendur
The temple of Lord Subramanya in Tiruchendur, also in the same district,
is one of the "Arupadai Veedus", or specially sanctified
residences, of the Lord. It is situated by the sea. Traditionally, it
commemorates the Lord's victory over Surapadma, a demon. The Gopura, of
nine storeys, is 42m high and was constructed in the 17th century. It was
renovated in 1983.
Alvar Tirunagari
One of the celebrated Vaishnavaite temples in the district of
Kannyakumari is in Alvar Tirunagari, one of the nine sung of by Namalvar.
The saint attained enlightenment under a tree, which still stands in the
temple. The Lord is Adinatha. The temple has a Nadaswaram musical
instrument made of stone. It is played during the temple festival.
Kumarakovil
Kumarakovil is at the foot of the Velimalai hills in Kalkulam Taluk (also
spelt as Taluka), about 34-km from Kannyakumari. The Lord Muruga Temple is
built on the hillock about 200 feet height in a lush green field of Paddy,
Plantain and Coconut trees. The temple is noted for architectural beauty.
Goddess Valli, the spouse of Lord Subramanya is also enshrined in the
temple by the side of the Lord. In the right side of the temple there is
one big lake, suitable for boating.
Other Attractions Around Kanyakumari: -
Muttam
About 32-km from Kannyakumari is Muttam with a fine beach and a
lighthouse.
Vattakottai
About 6-km from Kannyakumari is Vattakottai with an 18th century fort
overlooking the sea. The sea here is calm and suitable for bathing.
Thengapattinam Beach
Thengapattinam, situated on the west coast, is a place of historical
importance. It is 35-km from Nagercoil and 54-km from Kannyakumari. As
coconut trees are abundant in this place, the place might have derived
this name.
This village had, in ancient times, trade relations with foreign
countries like Arabia. There was direct Cargo boat service between
Thengapattinam and other foreign maritime towns.
The mosque at Thengapattinam is about 1,200 years old. This place is well
connected with Nagercoil and
Thiruvananthapuram
by regular bus service. Thengapattinam Beach is an excellent picnic spot
with backwater facilities.
Chidaral
55-km from Kanyakumari is Chidaral. The Jain sculptures here are worth a
visit.
Pechipparai Dam
Like all other dam sites Pechipparai Dam too is a popular picnic spot
where facilities for boating have also been provided. It is 56-km from
Kanyakumari.
Padamanabhapuram
The capital of Travancore until 1333, Padmanabhapuram is known for its
fort which encloses, among other buildings, a palace and a temple. The
palace has some important art relics while the Ramaswami temple has
exquisitely carved panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana.
Padmanabhapuram is 45km from Kanyakumari.
Thirparappu Water Falls
About 60km from Kanyakumari are Thirparappu Waterfalls, a picturesque
spot with an ancient Mahadevar Temple.
Thiruvattar
Thiruvattar is located at a distance of 70-km from Kanyakumari. The
temple here is one of the finest specimens of temple art and architecture.
The paintings on the walls of the temple are worth seeing.
Kalakkadu and Mundanthurai
Kalakadu wildlife
sanctuary is situated in an area of 223-sq-km in the Tirunelveli
district, including the foothills of the Western Ghats and the adjoining
area. 47km from Tirunelveli, the Kalakadu wildlife sanctuary is very
popular with botanists and ornithologists as it has a great variety of
fauna and bird life.
Situated 42-km from Tirunelveli, the
Mundanthurai
wildlife sanctuary boasts of dry deciduous to tropical wet evergreen
forest patches of pure reeds. The sanctuary covers an area of 567-sq-kms.
There is nothing to differentiate this sanctuary from that of Kalakadu,
except the absence of Elephant and the Gaur.
Mathoor Thottippalam
It is one of the largest and the highest bridge located near Thiruvattar
about 70-km from Kanyakumari. The bridge and the lush green surroundings
are noted for scenic beauty.
Olakkay Aruvi Water falls
Olakkay Aruvi waterfalls in
the Western Ghats are 14-km from Nagercoil and 33-km from Kanyakumari. The
beautiful waterfalls and the natural scenery all around the place attract
many holiday seekers and this place has become an important picnic centre.
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.
Varied accommodation options varying from luxurious to economic hotels, lodges, Devasthanam cottages are available for tourists in Kanyakumari.
Souvenirs and handicraft articles made from seashells and palm leaf articles are the main items to buy at Kannyakumari. Trinkets and packets of coloured sea sand for children can also be bought here. There are several shops selling these articles.
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.
Government of Tamil Nadu Tourist Office, Beach Road, Kanyakumari. Information Centre, Vivekanand Rock Memorial, Beach Road, Kanyakumari.
State Bank of India
Canara Bank
State Bank of Travancore
Area: 25.89-sq-km
Population: 18,900 (1991 Census)
Latitude: N 8o 3' to 8o 35'
Longitude: E 77o 05' to 77o 36'
Clothing: Light Cottons
Languages Spoken: Tamil, Malayalam, English
STD Code: 04652
Climate - Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C):
Summer- Max 34.8ºC, Min 22.4ºC
Winter- Max 33.8ºC, Min 21.6ºC
Rainfall: (Average) 102 cms
Tenkasi- 138-km
Thiruvananthpuram-
87-km
Tiruchendur- 95-km
Triuneveli- 83-km
){kind=link}