I had read in my class 6 geography book that India is a peninsula covered with water on three sides. No where is it more evident that Kanniyakumari, the southern most tip of the Indian mainland. Bay of Bengal to the east, Arabian Sea to the west and the vast Indian Ocean in the south, Kanniyakumari is the living definition of a peninsula.
Flea Markets, sea food, coconut water and endless waves of tourists, Kanniyakumari at its core is a typical Indian beach town with all the quirks that are synonymous with that definition. The town though very small in comparison to its larger counterparts, has a lot to offer, most of which can be converted in two days.
So let me help you explore the quaint little beach town of Kanniyakumari, with my top 10 picks in no particular order.
Top 10 Kanniyakumari
Vivekanand Rock Memorial
Standing atop a rock 500 mtr inside the ocean, Vivekanand Rock Memorial is built in the honor of Swamy Vivekananda who meditated on the rock for 3 days, before embarking on his iconic tour of Chicago. Government run ferries, ply throughout the day to and from the Memorial, ferrying tourists to this amazing monument.
The memorial has two prominent sections, known as Vivekananda Mandapam and Sri Pada Mandapam. Where the former is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, and houses a meditation hall and showcases beautiful engravings, Sri Pada Mandapam is an ode to Devi Kanya, who as per legends performed her penance here.
Built using granite, this monument and the attached Sri Pada Mandapam are something one simply cannot miss during their visit to Kanniyakumari.
Read the detailed blog on Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Thiruvalluvar Statue
Located on another rock beside the Vivekanand Rock Memorial is the statue of the famous Tamil Poet, Sri Thuruvalluvar. A typical tour of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial also includes a stop over at this statue.
Thiruvalluvar was a great poet of Tamil Nadu, and his influence on Tamil Culture was immense. Hence the statue was built to honor him, and to ensure coming generations will remember him and his work. The statue is 133 ft tall, making it one of the tallest statues of South India.
Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam
One of the most important temples of Kanniyakumari is Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam, also known as Kumari Kanya temple. This thousand year old temple is the last structure on the Indian Mainland, beyond which, the sea starts.
The presiding deity of this temple is Devi Kanya, upon whom the whole town is named. Devi Kanya is an Avatar of Devi Shakti and this temple is considered one of the 108 Shakti Peeths of Hindu Mythology.
Timings of Bhagavathy Amman Temple Kanniyakumari: 4:30 am – 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm-8:30 pm all days of the week.
Please do check the aarti timings of the temple before visiting, and plan your visit accordingly.
Kanniyakumari Beach
Kanniyakumari beach, stands right beside the Bhagavathy Amman Temple. The beach has lots of rocky out-cropping among the sandy stretch. When the tides rise, the waves crash on these rocks, turning the otherwise peaceful sea into a vortex of froth.
Many pilgrims who visit the Bhagavathy Amman Temple, take a dip in the sea at this beach before entering the temple. The beach also has a small flea market that comes up during the evenings.
Sunset point
The most appealing part of being in a town with sea on both east and west is that, it can offer vantage points, from where one can watch both sun rise and sunset. Though true, it’s the sun set that is the most beautiful aspect of the town, particularly in the winter months.
Around dusk, the sky gets painted in multiple shades of yellowish and orange hues, as the sun bids farewell for the day and darkness descends. The sunset point is closer to the Kanniyakumari Beach, where tourists flock to enjoy a lazy evening and watch the sun vanish beyond the horizon.
Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam
Following his death in 1948, Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were kept in 12 different urns and transported to various parts of India for immersion in water. One of the urns was brought to Kanniyakumari and the Memorial is built right on the spot where that urn was kept.
The building draws inspiration from the Orissa architectural style, colored in a peaceful shade of pink. The central part of the Memorial is a pink portico which is 79 ft tall and symbolizes Gandhi’s age at the time of his passing.
Tsunami Memorial Park
On 26th Dec 2004 a massive tsunami hit the East and South coast of India. There were lasting impacts on Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and parts of Kerala. Some of the islands in Andaman & Nicobar islands group got submersed in water forever. And many lives were lost.
The Tsunami Memorial Park in Kanniyakumari commemorates the people of Kanniyakumari and around who lost their lives to the tsunami.
Eco Park Kanniyakumari
Eco Park is a beautiful park developed in Kanniyakumari by the department of horticulture. It’s one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens of South India preceded only by the botanical garden of Pondicherry and the Brindavan Gardens in Mysore.
Entry fee to Eco Park :
INR 20 per Adults, INR 10 for kids
Timing of eco park :
11:00 am – 7:30 pm all days of the week
Vattakotai Fort
Located about 7 KM away from the main Kanniyakumari town, Vattakotai Fort is an 18th century coastal defense fortification and barrack of the former Travancore kingdom.
The fort is made of granite blocks and, today, a part of the fort extends into the sea. Flanked by the sea on one side and hill on the other, this fort is an extremely picturesque location. It also provides beautiful views of the surrounding green meadows from atop.
Read the detailed blog on Vattakotai Fort
Padmanabhapuram Palace
A beautiful Travancore era palace that is also known as Kalkulam Palace, Padmanabhapuram Palace was our first stop on our road trip from Thiruvananthapuram to Kanniyakumari.
Although this palace lies in Tamil Nadu, it is maintained by the Kerala government. Because earlier this palace was under the jurisdiction of Travancore kingdom in Kerala. Constructed around 1601 CE, possibly Padmanabhapuram Palace is one of the oldest palaces in India. . The name of the palace is derived from “Padmanabha”, a form of Lord Vishnu.
Read the complete blog on Padmanabhapuram palace
Kanniyakumari at a Glance
By Flight
Trivandrum International Airport (90 KM), from where, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Kanyakumari. Trivandrum International Airport is well-connected to major cities across India and also offers international flights to select destinations.
By Road
Reaching Kanyakumari by bus or car is convenient due to its excellent road connectivity. National Highway 66 passes through the city, connecting it to major towns and cities across South India. Visitors can reach Kanyakumari by private or rental cars, enjoying a scenic drive along the coastline.
By Train
Kanyakumari Railway Station, is located in the heart of the city serving as a major junction for trains from various cities across India. Direct trains connect Kanyakumari to prominent cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi.
By Bus
Regular bus services available from various cities in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states. State-run and private buses operate from major cities like Chennai, Trivandrum, Madurai, and Tirunelveli to Kanyakumari.
Local transport in Kanyakumari
Most people travel around Kanniyakumari using a hired vehicle. Auto-rickshaws (tuk tuks) are available, along with buses. Buses are about Rs. 15 from the station to the point, and Rs 7.5 from the bus station to the point.
When is the best time to visit Kanniyakumari
Like most beach destinations of the South, winter is considered the best time to visit Kanniyakumari. Starting from November to February the day time temperature ranges between a comfortable 20°c to 25°c, making it an ideal time for exploring the town.
Where to stay in Kanniyakumari
There are plenty of staying options in Kanniyakumari in all budget ranges. In the higher range, Annai Resorts and Spa is the most sought after resort of Kanniyakumari, followed by Paraikal Beach Resort.
East Indian Traveller 