History of Kanyakumari
The history of Kanyakumari is replete with several fascinating events which are of great significance till date. All these interestings events and mythological stories are responsible for giving Kanyakumari a distinct identity. The architecture of the temples of this place gives a glimpse of the legacy of several rulers namely the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas, the Nayaks and kings of Travancore.Known as Alexandria of the East in the ancient time, this beautiful place was considered as one of the important centers for learning art and culture . It gradually became the important center of trade and commerce.
This sacred place also witnessed the advent of other religion namely Christianity advocated by St. Thomas in 52 A.D,Jainism and Islam adding treasure of knowledge , architectural wealth and made Kanyakumari the epitome of unity. This beautiful place is considered sacred by the Hindus. It is believed that it was here that Goddess Parvati in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanya went through severe penance to obtain Lord Shiva as Her husband.Since then the famous Kanykumari temple or the Amman temple has been standing attracting millions of devotees from all over the world.The temple is a symbol of unity and sanctity and it is believed that the Goddess takes care of the land and protects its people. In short , it can be said that the history of Kanyakumari is a great learning experience for everyone as it shows the world since ages how different religions can co-exist peacefully.