Lofty patches of red cliffs with deep blue waters and of course the union of three major water bodies-Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean-there’s definitely something magical about Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India. The place is all about picture perfect sunsets, enchanting full-moon nights, scrumptious coastal food, walk by the azure waters and of course the thrill of being in such a geographical wonderful destination, indeed, Kanyakumari can always leave you asking for more. From scenic beaches to churches, temples, waterfalls and monuments-the places to visit in Kanyakumari include some of the best sceneries you will ever witness.
As the name suggests, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built to commemorate the great religious reformer Swami Vivekananda. Opened to the public in 1970, the rock memorial is a major tourist attraction in Kanyakumari. The rock memorial comprises two main structures-the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. After you have paid your homage, you can step out to get a splendid view of the tapering end of India from this point.
The gigantic statue of Tamil Poet Thiruvalluvar, standing atop an island few metres into the sea is one of the major tourist attractions of Kanyakaumari. Standing tall at 133 feet, the statue of Thiruvalluvar was opened to the public in 2000. The statue stands on a three-tier pedestal, known as the Atharapeedam which is further surrounded by a 38 feet Alankara Peedam. 10 elephants made of stone mantle the Alankara Peedam symbolising the ten directions – eight for earth, one for sky and another for hell.
Believed to be over 3000 years-old, the Bhagavathy Amman temple is one of the most revered places of worship in Kanyakumari. Dedicated to virgin goddess Devi Kanyakumari, the temple attracts a lot of devotees round the year. The devi stands tall as a charming young lady on her penance. The Bhagavathy Amman temple is one of the 51 Shakti-peethas, spread all over the Indian subcontinent. A tour of Kanyakumari is incomplete without a visit to the Bhagavathy Amman Temple.