Places to see in Kanyakumari
Farthest point of lndia's landmass in the South is Cape Camorin or Kannyakumari, an important tourist spot in the country.The very ambience makes one elevated in mind and spirit. Kannyakumari is lashed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal in the left side, Arabian Sea on the right and the Indian Ocean in front. Viewing sunrise and sunset here is a beautiful experience. Kanyakumari Temple or the Kumari Amman Temple. Located on the sea shore, this temple is dedicated to the incarnation of Goddess Parvati, the virgin goddess.It is believed that the virgin goddess went though difficult penance to obtain Lord Shiva as her husband. The sunrise and sunset are beautiful sights from the temple platforms so is the dazzling diamond nose-ring of the deity taht is saide to be visible from the mid-sea.
Located at the confluence of the three oceans, the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, Temple Of Goddess Bhagavathi built by first Pandyas is a visual delight because of its picturesque surrounding. The image of the Goddess holding a necklace in her right hand is awesome.
It was 1892, Swami Vivekananda came to this place in search of knowledge and sat on the 55ft high southern rock for meditation after taking a bath in the sea. Since then Pitru and Mathru rocks of the past became known as Vivekananda shilpa. After the birth centenary of Swami Vivekananda in 1964, a beautiful temple was constructed at the site in 1970. The temple consists of a mixed sculptural styles and tradition of the Chola, Pandya, Pallava and Aryan forms of art. A bronze statue about 8ft high of Swami Vivekananda built by sculptor L. L. Sonavandekar has been installed. It is situated 500m from the mainland.
The foot impressions of Goddess Kanyakumari is preserved in a glass container in the temple. Sree Pada Mandapam Temple has been made in the Chola style architecture.
Statute of Thiruvalluvar : The 133 ft statue of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar which weighs a bit more than 7000 tons is beautifully installed on another rock. It is believed that more than 500 craftsmen worked on it.
The Government Museum: Established in the year 1991, it houses variety of objects such as collection of old coins, whalebones, tribal objects, bronze sculptures, and woodcarvings and thus popularly known as multipurpose museum.
Fair and Festivals in Kanyakumari
The Chaitra Purnima Festival (the April full-moon day, celebrated in the first week of May), Navratri (last week of October), and the Holy Annual Festival of the Roman Catholic Church (fourth week of December) are the notable festivals celebrated in Kanyakumari.