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Kanyakumari lies at the southernmost tip of the Indian continent and is a popular tourist destination for its beaches, mountains and various monuments. People from all over the country come here to experience the breath-taking beauty of the sea. It is also the only place in India where you can watch a sunrise and sunset at the same spot on the same beach. There are also numerous temples and churches here which draw several devotees as well.
In Kanyakumari, tourism is one of the primary ways in which economy flourishes in this small coastal town in Tamil Nadu. The town was earlier known as Cape Comorin during the time the British ruled in India. There are several legends surrounding the origin of the town and each of them is fascinating and interesting. Nevertheless, visitors to the town are more concerned with sightseeing and visiting the famous monuments or simply enjoying water sports at the beach.
Language Spoken
Tamil and Malayalam
Currency used:
Indian rupee
One of the most interesting aspects about Kanyakumari is that it is located at the very tip of the Indian subcontinent. It is bordered on three sides by the Lakshadweep Sea. Kanyakumari is often used to define the southern end of the Coromandel Coast region. Due to the proximity of the equator and its topography, Kanyakumari is an excellent place to grow crops. The city can be divided into three regions: The Uplands, the Middle and the Lowlands. There are also several lush green forests in this region, and some are believed to be 75 million years old.
Since Kanyakumari is surrounded by the sea on three sides, it enjoys a tropical coastal climate. Because there are water bodies so close to it, it experiences almost the same temperature throughout the year. However, summers can be extremely hot, and it affects Kanyakumari tourism as people avoid coming here during this time. The months from November to February are when the town sees a mild winter and temperatures come down slightly. Although tourists can visit here at any time, the recommended months for visiting are from October to March, keeping in mind tolerable weather conditions.
The people of Kanyakumari speak Tamil and Malayalam but also English and this helps to propagate Kanyakumari tourism greatly. Religion also plays a huge role in shaping the culture here. Hindus, Muslims and Christians live in unity here. When it comes to food, people here love seafood, fish, as well as tropical preparations that include tapioca too. Culture in Kanyakumari comes to the fore during the many festivals that are celebrated here with a great deal of fanfare. Art, music and various cultural programmes dominate the scene during festivals.
Kanyakumari has plenty of interesting spots to see and things to do. From waterfalls to temples and churches, Kanyakumari tourism has it all. One of the things that has made Kanyakumari famous is that sunrise and sunset can be seen from the same beach and this always draws a lot of visitors who want to experience this interesting phenomenon.
Some of the important landmarks in Kanyakumari include the Thiruvalluvar Statue which is 95 feet tall and is established atop a 38-foot rock. The statue is placed on a pedestal and it is located on a small island in the sea, visible from the coast. People can reach here after a short ferry ride. The statue has a lot of cultural significance and it took nine years to be completely built – from 1990 to 1999. The 2004 tsunami that hit the Indian Ocean did not affect the statue at all which is a source of wonder to many people.
Another popular spot among visitors is the Vivekananda Rock Memorial which is also located on a small island. It’s a picturesque spot with a serene aura that draws visitors from all over the world. It is located on one of the two rocks that emerge out of the Lakshadweep Sea and all it takes to reach the memorial is short but thrilling ferry ride. The monument was built in 1970 and is one of the top Kanyakumari tourism spots. The memorial has two structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam.
Some of the famed temples here include Thanumalayan Temple but the one that most people visit without fail when travelling to Kanyakumari is the Kumari Amman Temple. This beautiful temple is located along the coast and there are thousands of visitors who come here to offer their respects at the temple. Naturally, there are big queues here but do remember that this temple is open only to Hindus.
Other places to see here include Padmanabhapuram Palace, Vattakottai Fort, Courtallam Falls and the gorgeous Our Lady of Ransom Church. If you are looking for a place to cool off after all that sightseeing, then the Thirparappu Falls is an excellent spot as it’s considered to be one of the safest waterfalls in the region. Located around 55 km from Kanyakumari, the falls are enchanting and the pool below is good fun for all ages. At the entrance of this temple, there’s a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. People often go boating in the waters here and the natural beauty of the place fills you with serenity. This waterfall is an excellent spot for families travelling with children.
If you have plans to visit Kanyakumari, do make sure you check the SOTC website for exciting offers and deals on holiday packages.
