Kanyakumari is the last point of the Mainland India . It is famous among the Indians both for the religious and positional value . Lots of people come here to visit just the end point of the Indian subcontinent . It is famous among the bengalis as the famous Bengali saint Swami Vivekananda swim in this ocean and reach to the rock and meditate for three days and got enlightment . It is also famous for the big statue of Thiruvalluvar who is a renowned poet and philosopher.
How to reach Kanyakumari :
Being a religious place and the last part of the mainland India , there is direct train from all of the the major cities . Kerala’s capital Tiruvananthapuram is within 100 km from Kanyakumari , Tamilnadu’s capital chennai is 705 km and the union territory Pondecherry is 580 km . Both this cities have international airports so coming to kanyakumari from any international destination is not difficult .
Bhagawati Amma Temple :
This sacred temple of kanya kumari is one of the oldest (almost 3000 years ) and inscribed in the Ramayana and Mahabharata . This devi is a adolescence girl which is a form of devi parvati . He born in earth to kill the demon banasur who got blessings from Bhrambha . It is belived that it is one of the 51 shakti peetham of devi parvati .
This walled temple is situated in the last tip of India where three sea Indian ocean , arabian sea and bay of bengal meets . Before independence it was part of the travancore kingdom but later included in the Tamilnadu state .
The temple is opened between 6 am – 11 am and 4 pm – 11 pm and non Hindus are not allowed .
Vivekananda Rock :
Vivekanandana rock is a sacred rock where swamiji dhyan for three days in the year of 1892 and got enlightenment . It is also sacred as people belief that devi kanya kumari penance here for the shiva for long time . In this island there is a foot print of devi Kanya kumari .
This rock is situated 500 meters from the main land India . Inside this rock there is two mandapa . one for the meditation and in another is a life size bronze statue of swami vivekananda .
This place is opened from 8 am to 4 pm and for reaching there you have to board a boat .
Thiruvalluvar Statue :
This is the statue of the tamil poet and philosopher Valluvar who is the writer of the famous book “Tirukkural” which is the book on ethics , politics , economics and love .
This statue is situated in a small rock beside the vivekananda rock and is 41 meters in height . This statue was build by the famous sculpture V. Ganapati Sthapati . This statue has been inaugurated by 1 st january 2000 by the chief minister of Tamilnadu DM Karunanidhi . Lots of tourist come here to see the statue which is 25 th biggest statue in India .
Our Lady ramsom shrine :
This church is one of the oldest church in Tamilnadu and was build in the 15 th century . In a tombstone written the year 1496 is the proof that christians community has been living there since that time . In 1542 St Francis Xavier founded a church “Our Lady Delights Grotto ” . People belief that later this church has been renamed as the Our Lady Ransome shrine . In 1700 a Big Roman church was rebuild in a place of a small church and this modern building has been established in the year 1915 .
This church has been situated in a very beautiful spot just beside the sea . From inside the church you can heard the roar of the sea . Most of the local fisherman herer are from the christian community .
This church is opened from 5 am – 6:30 pm daily .
Shree Mahaveer swami Jain Temple :
Jain community is also want to make a presence in the last part of India so they are also building a temple beside the sea side . I thing still the structure is in complete . This structure is little far from the heart of the city but it is a small but beautiful temple . The temple has been build by the white Mabel .
There is a guest house is situated just beside the temple at affordable rate but there is no non veg food available there .
This temple is opened for 24 hours .
Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam :
When I first heard the term Mahatma gandhi mandapam I was questioning what is the significance . The guard of this place says me that the ashes of mahatma gandhi has been submerged in this place of kanya kumari .
There is a small exhibition hall in the ground floor of this building discussing the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi . From the upper floors you can have beautiful view of the sea and the surrounding plains .
Mahatma gandhi Mandapam is opened between 7 am to 7 pm and it is free for all .
View Tower :
This watch tower surrounded by the sea is the best spot to see the sunset and sunrise . From this watch tower you can have a panoramic view of the blue sky and sea . There is a telescope in the top of the tower by which you can have a clear view of the Vivekananda rock and the Thiravallur statue .
This watch tower is opened between 5 am – 7 pm and there is a entry fees of 3 INR per adult .
Fishing net Weaving in Fisherman village :
Just in the left side of the Bhagawati amman Temple there is a fisherman’s village . if you go there you will find lots of boats are standing in the beach . some fisherman were playing cards and some making nets for fishing . How they weaving the nets in this place is really interesting . In a big bucket they put the hooks in the side of the bucket and put the thread inside it . This way they made fishing net .
Mathor thotti palam (Hanging bridge ):
This aquaduct is 1 km in length and this bridge is supported by 28 pillars among them heighest one is 118 feet . This aquaduct is situated over the perial river and was build to supply water from one hill to another hill mainly for the irrigation purpose in the Vilavancode and Kalkulam taluks .
In 1966 it was inaugurated by then chief minister KK Kamraj . Still it is serving the main purpose but now a days it is a major tourist place and the view from the bridge of the surrounding plans are magnificent . The place is filled with greenery . On the both side of the bridge there is a stairs to reach to the perial river . Lots of people picnic over this place but the tourists are mainly local . This place is all together 46 km from the Kanyakumari city .
For reaching this place from kanyakumari first you take 303 no bus from kanyakumari and get down at Tuckalay bus station . From here you have to board 13M bus . You just tell the bus driver that you will reach Mathor Thottipalam . Where the bus will drop you , you have to walk 1.5 km to reach the actual site or hire a auto . Entry ticket price for this aquaduct is 5 INR and 5 INR for the selfie .
Summary :
Kanyakumari is the last point of the Indian subcontinent and it is a holy place for both Hindus and Christians . This is the place where the three sea Arabian sea , Bay of Bengal and the Indian ocean meets . Vivekananda rock and the Bhagawati amman temple are the major attraction of this area . Though Padmanabhupuram palace and Mathor thotti palam are little far from kanyakumari but they are worth to visit . Local fishing villages are another attraction in this area .
