GENERAL INFORMATION:

The multicoloured sands of Kanya Kumari, according to legend, were formed when Parvati, daughter of the king of the Himalayas, stood up at the altar by the Lord Shiva, and angrily tossed the uneaten wedding feast into the waters where it was transformed into sands of brown, yellow, silver, orange, blue, purple andrusset. The sands aren’t the only mind-blowing natural phenomenon of the cape: wait until you seet eh sunrises and sunsets.

The bodies of water meet here at India’s souther most point the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, Ptolony’s maps mention it as Comaria Akron and Marco Polo also marked it on his charts.

What to See

KANYAKUMARI TEMPLE:
The temple is dedicated to the Virgin Goddess Kanya Kumari. According to legend, Goddess Parvati in on e of her incarnations as Devi Kanya Kumari performed penance to lord Shiva’s wife. Even today, young girls pray here for a husband of their choice. The diamond nose ring of the deity is famous and is even supposed to be visible from sea.

GANDHI MEMORIAL:
A yellow structure trimmed with green and encircled by a walkway which you can climb to gaze into the waters into which the great statesman’s ashes were cast after his cremation in 1948. Inside is a simple chamber, a black marble marker indicating the spot where the ashes had been kept. Above this marker is a minute hole in the ceiling, designed so that once a year, on Gandhi’s birthday (Oct.2nd) the sun casts one long beam on the marker.

VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL:
Offshore, almost directly opposite the Kanya Kumari temple are the two rocks on which the 19th century philosopher, Swami Vivekananda, sat in meditation before he set sail to preach love and brother-hood to Americans. A well-funded voluntary association has built a memorial in 1970 with a blend of architectural styles. A statue of Vivekananda has been installed.

EXCURSIONS

NAGERCOIL:
Just20km away is the Nagaraj temple is a unique in many respects. Though Nagaraja- the God of Snakes – is the presiding deity, images of Lord Shiva and Anantha Krishna (the eternal Lord Krishna) are also enshrined in the same complex. The Nagaraja deity is installed on the ground where it was originally found and the sand around it scooped out and given as prasadam to the devotees. The images of the Jain Teerthankers, Mahavira and Parsavanatha can be found in the pillars of the temple.

PADMANABHAPURAM APALACE:
Almost midway enroute Trivendrum is the ancient seat of Trtavancore rulers, the palace contains relics and excellent woodwork. The palace in within a fort which covers an area six acres. In the Ramaswamy Temple adjoining the palace has scenes from Ramayna covering 45 panels.

SUCHINDRAM:
The Thanumalayan Temple – 13km away, is a repository of art treasures belonging to many kingdom. Inscriptions said to be on the 9th century AD are found in the temple.

TIRUCHENDUR:
About 85km from Kanya Kumari the temple located here on the shores of the Bay of Bengal is one of the six shrines of Lord Subramanya. At this place, Lord Subramanya had annihilated the demon king Surapadman. The temples at closeby Alwar – thrinngar and Srinailkuntam are also worth a visit.

UDAYGIRI:
The for of Udaygiri, 34km away, built by King Mathanda Varma in the 18th century is not very big but in the small fort style of south India. It was used as an armoury.

UTTAKOTAL:
This is an 18th century circular fort overlooking the sea is worth visiting. An excellent picnic spot, it is only 6km from Kanya Kumari.

STANDARD SIGHTSEEING TOURS:
Cape Comorin, the land’s end of India where the three oceans meet. It is famous for its fabulous sunrises and sunsets and the rock on which Swami Vivekananda meditated and the new temple built on it which draws visitors throughout the year. A full day excursion from Kovalam.