Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari or Kanniyakumari is a town on the southernmost tip of the mainland of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Cape Comorin.
Understand
India is one of those privileged lands which have high mountains as well as oceans and sea shores. It also has its shores shared between three great seas - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The confluence of these three seas can be witnessed in Kanyakumari. This unique phenomenon has made this little town in the southernmost tip of India a significant destination for religious or pleasure trips.
The fame of Kanyakumari attracts prominent people such as Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. It's not by coincidence that there are memorials named after these two figures. Moreover, Kanyakumari is one of the few places in the world where one can witness both the sunset and sunrise at the same beach due to its geography.
The oldest and the most ancient landmark in this town is the temple of Goddess Kumari who prayed to Lord Shiva to be accepted as wife by him. The name of this place was given after the name of the Goddess. During the British Raj, it was also known as "Cape Comorin", probably a British spoilt version of 'Kumari', meaning virgin. The town is so small that an enthusiastic tourist can walk across the town. For less walking enthusiasts, buses are available and the fares are very low. The auto rickshaws fares are also very reasonable. In short, travelling in and around Kanyakumari is not expensive.
Get in
By plane
- Thiruvananthapuram (TRV IATA) of neighbouring state Kerala, is the nearest international airport, with direct flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives and Sri Lanka. And is served by Air-India, among others. From there it takes about three hours by train or bus or taxi. The taxi charges are pretty cheap, about ₹9-10 per km, and should be around ₹1000, for a trip to Kanyakumari from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
- Alternatively, if you cannot reach Thiruvananthapuram directly from your place, you can reach Chennai (Madras) the state capital and then take either train or bus to reach Kanyakumari. Note that travelling to Kanyakumari is a bit tiresome via road, especially for Westerners, as the travel time is about 14-15 hours and the climate is pretty hot (30-35°C during summer and 25-30° during winter) throughout the year. Insist on a II tier air-conditioned coach as this is pretty cheap, about ₹1200. A local flight travel to Thiruvananthapuram is also a viable option, but the ticket prices are slightly higher, ranging from ₹1500 and can go up to anywhere around ₹5000. In India, the faster you book/plan your travel, the more you save on tickets.
- Alternatively reach Kochi, Kozhikode, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and then by train.
By train
Very well connected and served by rail to all major cities in India like Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Coimbatore. And from here starts the second longest train route of India, Kanyakumari to Dibrugarh and Katra
- 🌍 Kanyakumari railway station.
By bus
Buses are frequently available from Nagercoil, the closest major transport hub. Long-distance buses are available from Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Bangalore etc.
Get around
Most people travel around Kanyakumari using a hired vehicle. Auto-rickshaws (tuk tuks) are available, along with buses. Buses are about ₹15 from the station to the point, and ₹7.5 from the bus station to the point.
If your train comes into Nagercoil, there are busses to Kanyakumari from right outside Nagercoil junction station starting at 5:20AM (ish) and meant to be on the half hour every hour. Although you just have to keep asking.
See
The main attraction of Kanyakumari is the Vivekananda Rock and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. If you can escape from the crowds, you can visit Vivekanandapuram (the only peaceful area in Kanyakumari) maintained by the Ramakrishna Mission. It has its own lodging and boarding arrangements. If you'd like to see the sunset or sunrise, it is recommended that you see it from the beach at Vivekanandapuram. It is not recommended that you visit Kanyakumari in December–January; the crowds are at its peak during these months.
The temple of Goddess Kumari is rather small by South Indian standards, but comes with the usual ingredients of Pujaris (Hindu Priests), Poojas, Kumkums, and Prasad (sweet offerings made to the Gods). All men are supposed to enter the temple with bare torsos as it deemed to be a mark of respect to the Devi. You should be careful about the touts in the temple.
Temples and other Hindu religious sites
- 🌍 Vivekananda Rock Memorial (about 100 m from the shore, a regular ferry service exists between the mainland jetty and the rock). 07:30-16:00. The Rock has two Mandaps (halls); one belonging to Swami Vivekananda and the other belonging to a Holy Foot. The Holy Foot is a foot shaped carving found on the rock and is believed to be the footprint of Goddess Kumari who stood on this rock on one leg and performed the Tapasya (penance). The Rock memorial has a tall statue of Swami Vivekananda whose photographs are not allowed to be taken from inside the hall. Below the statue is mentioned the year of death of the Swamiji and the "probable" dates when Swamiji attained Samadhi on the rock. Here you can see both sunrise and sunset and it is one of the main tourist attractions. Golden hues of the Horizon are very impressive with a silhouette of the Rock Memorial. You should enter the main gate to the jetty for ferry before 4 pm, after that entry is denied. Nobody is allowed there after sunset, so if you were planning an evening visit hurry up and leave well before sunset so as to watch it from the beach. The last ferry leaves the island around sunset time with all the remaining visitors as well as the staff. The first stop of the ferry is the Vivekand Rock. People get off here for the Rock and those done with their visit get on to the ferry for its next stop at Thiruvalluvar Statue. From the Thiruvalluvar statue, the ferry returns to the boarding jetty. The ferry operator asks that you don a life saving jacket. Ferry: ₹50, memorial: ₹30, children under 5 are free.
- 🌍 Thiruvalluvar Statue (Next to Vivekananda Rock). Thiruvalluvar Statue is dedicated to arguably the greatest Tamil poet, philosopher and saint, Thiruvalluvar. The rock supports a huge statue of the saint carved out of many rocks that were then joined together. It was inaugurated in 2000. The statue is about 133 feet tall which corresponds to 133 chapters in the greatest epic written by the saint – Thirukkural. Tourists can climb up to the feet of the statue. The view from this point is quite breathtaking! It is a very entertaining and enlightening piece of work and inspires one to lead a very principled and moral life. It is a must read for anyone who visits this place and it is advisable to spend at least half an hour specially dedicated for this exercise. Ferry: ₹50.
- 🌍 Vivekananda Kendra (Vivekanandapuram). Vivekanandapuram is the headquarters of the Vivekananda Kendra and the centre spreads over an area of 100 acres. There is a well stocked library within the premises. It is well connected. Buses are also regularly available from Vivekanandapuram to Kanyakumari. You can enjoy absolutely breathtaking views of sunrise from the beaches of Vivekanandapuram. It has its own boarding & lodging facilities, a post office and a bank on its premises.
- 🌍 Kanyakumari Bhagavathi Temple (Kanyakumari Devi Temple). 4:30-12:30, 16:00-20:30. Kanyakumari Devi Temple is the main reason for naming the place as Kannyakumari or the "Land of the unmarried girl". This temple is close to the beach. As per legend, the demon king, Banasura, had become powerful, and could be killed only by an unmarried lady. Devi Kanyakumari, a devotee of Shiva, wanted to marry the Lord. Lord Shiva promises to marry at an auspicious Brahma Muhurtham. Sage Narada, on request of the other Gods, takes the form of a rooster, and crows before dawn on a particular day, indicating the daybreak. Lord Shiva, who was on the way to marry Devi, returns stating that the auspicious moment is complete. Devi Kanyakumari fumes in anger and walks down into the garden to pacify herself. Devil Banasura is attracted by the Devi and tries to capture her. Already frustrated over the cancellation of marriage, Devi Kanyakumari slays the demon and brings back peace to the world. The speciality of the temple is the diamond nose stud worn on the statue of the Goddess, which was said to be highly dazzling, and confusing to sailors at high seas. Hence, the wall has been raised to block the view of the stud from the sea. Like any other temple of Kerala style, women have to be in a saree or chudidhar. Entry for foreigners: ₹20.
Church
- 🌍 Our Lady of Ransom Church. On the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal, the 100-year-old Church of Our Lady of Ransom is dedicated to Mother Mary. The Church, which is one of the most beautiful churches in India, looks beautiful against the backdrop of the beautiful blue sky. The Church of Our Lady of Ransom was built in the Gothic style of architecture with a strong Portuguese influence. The church is slightly off-white in appearance and has three massive towering spires and stained glass windowpanes contributing to its overall grandeur. Another attraction of the church is the Central Tower. It's 153 feet high and is crowned with a cross of pure gold. (Interestingly, the dimensions of the church structures are based on the count of beads in the rosary). There are a few things about the church that make the visitors gasp with awe as they enter. The church boasts a beautiful statue of Mother Mary clad in a saree. Surprisingly, as compared with the grand and ornate exteriors, the visitors are quite taken aback by the simplicity of its interiors. There is just a tiny cross that adorns the altar. There are no church benches and the masses are held inside the church in normal days and outside on the clean sands during carnivals and occasions. The prayers are held in Tamil considering the parish here mainly comprises the local fishing folks. However, English masses are being conducted lately. Be on the lookout for the 10-day carnival festival during the second week of December every year. It is vibrant and colourful with the fishing hamlets of other nearby places and people of other religions celebrate together.
Memorial
- 🌍 Tsunami Memorial. Tsunami Memorial is a monument recognizing the tragic events of the 2004 tsunami that claimed the lives of many Kanyakumari denizens. It is near the south shore. The monument is made of uniquely coloured items such as a wave, a flame, and human hands, together.
- 🌍 Gandhi Mandapam. Gandhi Mandapam Such is the beauty of Kanyakumari that a lot of people find themselves attracted to it. Mahatma Gandhi too could not resist its charm, and there is a place here dedicated to him called Gandhi Mandapam. This is the place, as told by locals, where one could witness the 'Sangam' (confluence) of the three oceans. Gandhi arrived here and succumbed to the beauty of the place as described in his beautiful words inscribed below his portrait in the Mandapam. After he died, his ashes were brought to this place. The Gandhi Mandapa is engineered in such a way that at the place where the ashes were kept stands a small stone which is said to receive the Sun's rays only on the 2nd of October, Gandhi's birthday, every year through a small hole on the roof.
- 🌍 Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument. Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument was raised and dedicated to a freedom fighter and Former Chief minister of Tamil Nadu, President of the Indian National Congress, Mr Kamarajar. He's also popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses. Like the Gandhi Mantapa, this place is where Kamarajar's ashes were kept for the public to pay homage to before immersion into the sea.
Fort
- 🌍 Vattakottai Fort (Circular Fort). A fort on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, constructed in the 16th century by the Portuguese. The view of the sea line and coast from the fort is marvellous. A small garden is present. No entry fees for the fort and can spend about 30 min in the area.
Museum
- 🌍 Government Museum. ₹5 (for Indian), ₹3 (for Indian Childern) and ₹100 (for foreigners).
Do
Vivekananda Rock memorial has a special meditation room which is absolutely quiet. One could meditate there. People also wet their feet on the shores of the ocean before entering the temple as the waters considered sacred. Bathing is banned in many parts of the beach (though you may find some people bathing) due to a number of tourists dying each year from the powerful ocean waves. For bathing in the sea, consider Vattakotta (meaning: Round fort) beach, situated about 6 km from Kanyakumari. Naked bathing or bathing with bikinis are a taboo not only in Kanyakumari but also in nearly all beaches in India. Beaches in Goa and Pondicherry, are a bit different, as a majority of people visiting there are foreigners.
- 🌍 Baywatch. Baywatch is a water theme amusement park at Sunset Point and is home to India's first wax museum.
Buy
Tourists can buy a lot of interesting items -- straw hats, conches, sea shells, and cheap electronics. There are some small shops where one can get a customized conch with names or quotes inscribed. These items can serve as a memorable item for your trip. Electronics available at Kanyakumari are dead cheap but, since all of them are imported from China, their quality of them is always sub-par. It's always good to avoid the electronics shops and the associated hagglers. Hair bands and clips made of coconut shells are worth the money and you may have to ask the shopkeeper if one is not available at the display. Starfish shells (for decorating your indoors), sea shells of various sizes, kaleidoscopes, and colourful sand packets (not artificially coloured), collected from different parts of the beach, and used especially for decorating your indoor showcases, are also available. The cost of the majority of these commodities starts from ₹20 and upwards. There are some antique shops too unlike handicrafts these original antiques give you pleasant surprises. Antiques like kavadi, paintings and South Indian lamps are worth the money.
- 🌍 Kanyakumari Urban Haat.
Eat
The food in Kanyakumari is more of the classic South Indian style. It is mostly vegetarian, and maybe even some Tamil favourites including idlis, sambar, dosa, and related are available. Typical South Indian vegetarian food is available. In some cases, they may serve you the food on the traditional banana leaf. South Indian food is more of an acquired taste for some people from the Western part of the world. It is different but still good. Do not expect much as far as Western-style breakfast foods or western style foods.
Meals available at Kanyakumari are of the classic South-Indian type with rotis (roasted unleavened flatbread, similar to Mexican-style wheat tortillas).
North-Indian style meals are available in some Rajasthani/Punjabi-style restaurants. A one-time meal of a "thali" will cost around ₹70. There are other eating options where a la carte meal may cost more.
Drink
Non-alcoholic
Avoid bringing alcohol to the beach as this place is a pilgrim centre and it's considered taboo to booze. (That said, there are loads of discarded high-alcohol content liquor bottles all around various parts of the beach slightly away from the developed/tourist zone, so it's obviously not that unheard of!)
Coconuts
Kanyakumari has a lot of tender coconut shops selling tender coconuts for ₹30. The orange variety of tender coconut, which is plentiful in this area and is priced the same, is worth trying as it's much tastier than the green-coloured one.
Juice
Though there are a lot of fresh juice stalls, it is perhaps best to avoid them as the stalls are seldom clean and the ice they add to the juice may be contaminated. It may have many water-borne diseases of the digestive tract. If you get sick, you can treat it with antibiotics or Flagyl.
Bottled drinks
Bottled drinks are readily available, and usually safe to drink. Note that bottled drinks are always priced higher (about ₹2 to ₹5 higher) than the MRP in these areas. Of bottled drinks, ThumsUp (Cola flavoured) and Limca (Lime flavoured), both branded by the Coca-Cola Company, are worth tasting as they are tailored specially for the Indian market.
Alcoholic
At least one of the hotels in the middle of town have a subterranean bar. Just walk down the hill a little before the boat ramp, scroll around and you'll find one. Air-conditioned, various beers for ₹120, and an extensive (and refreshingly non-South Indian specific) menu were on offer at the one roughly diagonally opposite Hotel Sea View, back north down the street away from the water and Hotel Sea Face.
Sleep
There are numerous hotels, residencies, etc., in and around Kanyakumari and therefore, staying over is not a problem. But there are agents, touts and brokers in every nook and corner looking for unsuspecting tourists. Eschew buying or booking rooms from them, as many a time you end up paying a lot more than the actual price. Vivekananda Kendra can be a good option for people looking for decent, yet cheap accommodation, but it's around 3 km from Kanyakumari. Prefer hotels near the beach especially if you want to watch the sunrise right out of your bed! Note that, you should quote this preference when booking the room or else, you'll always be given a room without a window opening out to the sea. Moreover, many times, these rooms are in great demand and you'll find yourself shelling out an extra ₹400-500 for such a room. Hotel Sea View, Hotel Sangam and a couple of other hotels offer such rooms and the rent is about ₹1100 for 12 hr. Many rooms are priced for 12 hr and not per day, especially during the peak season.
- 🌍 Arulagam Guest House, Sunset Point, ☏ +91 9486 9428 11, arulagamemail@gmail.com. They profess to provide fully furnished beautiful, comfortable and elegant rooms with and without air conditioners. ₹1500.
- Hotel Pioneer Paradise (Tower Junction, Nagercoil), ☏ +91 4652-238541, +91 4652-238542, +91 4652-238543.
- Railway Retirement Room (inside the railway station). ₹200.
- 🌍 The Gopinivas Grand Hotel, East Car Street (Near seashore), ☏ +91 98433-45844, mail@thegopinivasgrand.com. Check-in: 24 hr, check-out: 24 hr. 3-star hotel. $1300.
Go next
- Suchindram - A noted pilgrim centre in the south, hosting the famous Sivathanumalaya temple.
- Swamithoppe - The religious headquarters of Ayyavazhi and the most important pilgrim centre of Ayyavazhis.
- Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) — The capital city of Kerala is 85 km from Kanyakumari.
| Routes through Kanyakumari |
| Madurai ← Tirunelveli ← | N S | → END |