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Travel to Kanyakumari...

KANYAKUMARI, at the southernmost extremity of India, is almost as compelling for Hindus as Rameshwaram. Watching the sun rise and set from here is the big attraction, especially on full-moon day in April, when it's possible to see both the setting sun and rising moon on the same horizon. The beach itself is a beautiful sight with multi-coloured sand. There is a lighthouse from where one can get panoramic view. While the place is of enduring appeal to pilgrims, others may find it bereft of atmosphere, its magic obliterated by ugly concrete buildings and hawkers selling shells and trinkets.

Facts and Figures :

Area	25.89 sq km
Altitude	Sea level
Temperature	Summer : Max 34.8 °C, Min 22.4 °C. Winter : Max 33.8 °C, Min 21.6 °C.
Language	Tamil, Malayalam, English
Rainfall	(Average) 102 cms

History :

Kanyakumari 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 is a popular pilgrimage destination to Hindus. It is dedicated to the goddess Kanyakumari, Youthful Virgin, who is an incarnation of Devi, Siva's wife. Kanyakumari once referred to as the Alexandria of the east. This place has been a great centre of art, culture, civilization and pilgrimage for years. It was also a famous center for commerce and trade. Kanyakumari was also under the control of the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks who were great rulers of south India. The architectural beauty of the temples is the work of these rulers. During the British Raj, Kanyakumari was bestowed the dry title of Cape Comorin, necessitated perhaps by the Englishmen's inability to pronounce local names.

How to Reach :

Air: Nearest airport Trivandrum- 80 kms is directly connected with Bangalore, Bombay, Cochin, Delhi, Goa and Madras.

Rail: Kanyakumari is connected to Trivandrum, Delhi and Bombay. Tirunelveli- 80 kms is the other nearest railway junction which can be reached by road via Nagaarcoil- 19 kms.

Road: Trivandrum- 86 kms, Nagercoil- 19 kms, Tirunelveli- 91 kms, Tiruchendur via Ovari- 89 kms, Tuticorin- 129 kms, Rameshwaram- 300 kms, Courtallam- 130 kms, Madurai - 242 kms, Thekkady- 358 kms, Kodaikanal- 362 kms, Palani- 370 kms, Ootacamund- 576 kms, Cochin - 309 kms, Coimbatore - 478 kms.

Best Season to Visit Kanyakumari :

Best season to visit Kanyakumari is Throughout the year, but preferably October to March.

Sightseeing :

›› Kumari Amman Temple :

The seashore Kumari Amman Temple is dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanya Devi, who may originally have been the local guardian deity of the shoreline, but was later absorbed into the figure of Devi, or Parvati, consort of Shiva. The temple and the adjoining ghat, picturesquely situated overlooking the shore, attract tourist from all over the world. The image of Kanya Devi inside the temple wears a diamond nose stud of such brilliance that it's said to be visible from the sea.

›› Gandhi Mandapam :

Resembling a prewar British cinema, the Gandhi Mandapam, 300m northwest of the Kumari Amman Temple, was actually conceived as a modern imitation of an Orissan temple. It was designed so that the sun strikes the auspicious spot where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were laid, prior to there immersion in the sea, at noon on his birthday, October 2.

›› Vivekananda Memorial :

This memorial stands on one of two rocks separated by about 70 metres. It was built in 1970. The foot-prints of Kanya Devi can also be seen here, at the spot where she performed her penance. This memorial dedicated to Swamy Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer. Swamy Vivekananda was supposed to have medicated on the rock where the memorial stands today. A meditation hall is also attached with the memorial.

Excursions :

›› Suchindram Temple :

13km from Kanyakumari. The temple here is venerated by both Saivites and Vaishnavites. There is a konnai tree (Cassia Fistula) which is said to be 2000 years old, in the front portion adjoining the Nandi. The 18-foot-tall Hanuman and the musical pillars and the architectural beauty of the mandapams make this temple just famous, and worth seeing.

›› Nagercoil :

20km from Kanyakumari. At Nagercoil, there is a temple dedicated to the serpent deity Sri Nagaraja. The sanctum sanctorum of this temple is surrounded by mud walls and has over it a simple thatched roof. The Naga flower found in the temple garden is a symbolic representation of Nagaraja.