Kanyakumari
Overview

Kanyakumari,
located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is au fond a temple
town. It is the southernmost tip of India and also marks the confluence of
the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Legend has it that
Kanya Devi, a manifestation of goddess Parvati was to marry Lord Shiva. But,
regrettably the wedding never took place due to his inability to arrive on
time. And that's how the place came to be known as Kanyakumari (meaning
virgin). The natural beauty, picturesque beach, temples and a number of
other attractions at the place make your visit worthwhile.
Climate & Best Time
The town of Kanyakumari experiences a moderate climate all the year. Summer
temperatures record a maximum of 35 degrees centigrade. Winters show a
minimum temperature of 20 degrees centigrade. Though the ideal time to visit
here is from October to March , you can make a trip to Kanyakumari anytime
of the year.
Places to Visit
Apart from being an important pilgrimage centre, Kanyakumari is also known
for its cultural charm. You would surely like to visit the following.
» Sangam
A holy site and thus a famous bathing ghat, sangam actually refers to the
meeting point of three massive waterbodies the Bay of Bengal, the
Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Both tourists and pilgrims alike can be
seen here in good numbers.
» Vivekananda's Rock
This unusual rock formation, jutting out of the sea, is said to be the
place where Swami Vivekananda spent time meditating. The memorial also bears
a statue of the noble soul.
» Gandhi Mandapam

A
must-see for all, the mandapam is the site where Mahatama Gandhi's ashes
were kept before its immersion into the sea.
» Kanyakumari Amman Temple
One of the biggest draws for both tourists and devotees is the Kanyakumari
Amman Temple. It stands in dedication of goddess Sakthi, who according to
Hindu mythology remains a virgin in order to save the human race.
Stay Options
Kanyakumari has a bunch of good hotels to cater to the requirements of
travellers. If you are planning to make a stay close to the beach, there are
options like Hotel Madhini and Hotel Sea View. In the city, you have hotels
like Hotel Singaar International (3 Star), Cape Residency Hotel (3 Star),
Hotel Ashok (3 Star), Hotel Sangam (3 Star) etc. For still cheaper options,
you can choose the guest houses and the tourist homes.
Getting There
The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (80 km) of Kerala is the
closest from Kanyakumari. The airport has regular domestic and international
flights connecting different parts of the country and the world. From the
airport, you can either take a bus or a taxi to get to Kanyakumari. The rail
and road routes of Kanyakumari are also well established.