Top Places to Visit in Kanyakumari, The Southernmost Point of India

There is something about the sea that has made man marvel through the centuries. The calm aura, the playful waves, the majestic scenery, the refreshing breeze… Oh, it’s hard to describe. One thing is sure! Visiting the sea never disappoints the heart. Luckily, our country has an impressive coastline. And today, we will talk about the southernmost tip of our country, which lies at the intersection of three seas! Yes, Kanyakumari, where the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea meet! What if you were to visit this magical place in the near future and you need to know better before you head out? Fret not. Here in this article, we have listed out the top places to visit in Kanyakumari for your assistance! Happy reading!

About Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari is a picturesque coastal town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Also called the ‘Land’s End’ of India, it the southernmost tip of the country. The town is known for providing a marvelous experience at the seaside. This place is your ideal pick for perfect sunrises and sunsets. The place gets its name from the Goddess deity Kanyakumari, of the Shaktipeeth temple near the sea. The beautiful town also boasts of some of the most magnificent structures like the Vivekananda rock memorial and the Thiruvalluvar statue, on islands in the middle of the blue sea. The town is a major tourist destination of India, and a must-visit location at least once in a lifetime.

Here is a list of the top places to visit in Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of India:

Sunset and sunrise view

If there is a place in India with the rarest views of the sunrise as well as sunset, it is Kanyakumari. With the gentle waves of the sea tickling your feet and the sky painted in a marvel of shades, these two moments are captured in their most wondrous essence. The ideal location for sunset is at the beach, where you can watch the sea devouring the sun from an orangish-red sky. The sunrise is equally magical, where the sun appears emerging from the depths of the sea. A great spot to witness this marvel is from near the Our Lady of Ransom Church. If you can rise early and can spend an evening near the beach, you can have the experience of a lifetime watching sunrise and sunset at Kanyakumari.

Sarvani Shaktipeeth Shri Bhagavathy Temple

The Sarvani Shaktipeeth Sri Bhagavathi temple is one of the 52 Shakti Peeths of Goddess Parvati. The deity of the temple is the adolescent form of the Goddess, which translates to Kanyakumari in Sanskrit. It is said that the Goddess was betrothed to Lord Shiva, the deity of Suchindram temple. However, since the purpose of the Goddess’s birth was to slay Bana, a demon who could only be killed by an adolescent, virgin girl, the marriage had to get called off. The desperate Goddess, who knew nothing about this, waited for several weeks for her groom to arrive. When she realized that she had been betrayed, her rage destroyed almost everything in the vicinity. Later, she gained composure after meditating for years and continues to stay in this meditative posture as a deity, in the temple. The temple is one of the most visited tourist spots in Kanyakumari.

Vivekananda rock memorial

A monument, built in the honor of Swami Vivekananda, the rock memorial is located on a small island at a visible distance from the shores of the temple. Swami Vivekananda, after his year-long travels across the world, reached Kanyakumari. He was amazed by the panoramic, tranquil atmosphere and performed penance on the island. It is said that he attained enlightenment here. Built-in 1970, there are two main structures called the Shripada Mandapa and Vivekananda Mandapa in the monument. It is said that Goddess Kanyakumari blessed Swami Vivekananda at the Shripada Mandapa. There are several halls in the Vivekananda Mandapa. One of the most magnificent structures right in the middle of the sea, this is a place you must not miss while visiting Kanyakumari.

Thiruvalluvar statue

The Thiruvalluvar statue is a 133-feet tall structure on an island in the middle of the sea in Kanyakumari. A statue is a sculpture form of the famous Tamil poet and philosopher Valluvar. Inaugurated in 2000, the sculpture was created by V. Ganapati Sthapati, a famous Indian sculptor. One of the most majestic statues in India, the sculpture stands on a pedestal called Athara Peedam, which is 38 feet high. The special feature of this pedestal is that it symbolizes the 38 chapters of Thirukkural, the famous work of Saint Valluvar. This spellbinding statue is the 25th tallest in height of its kind, in the country. An awe-inspiring architectural epitome, Thiruvalluvar statue is, without doubt, a popular tourist spot in Kanyakumari.

Our Lady of Ransom Church

Our Lady of Ransom Church is a glorious Catholic church situated in Kanyakumari. Built-in the 15th century, the brilliant Gothic style architecture of the church is a key feature to its beauty. The patron of the church is called Alangara Upakara Matha. The most enchanting feature inside the church is the statue of the Virgin Mary at the altar, clad in a gorgeous silk sari. The vibrant stained windows of the church are a marvel as the first rays of the sun enter the church at dawn. With the gushing sounds of the sea waves in the background, the church sends out a heavenly vibe to visitors.

Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam

The Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam is a memorial in Kanyakumari, built in the honor of the Father of the Nation. Mahatma Gandhi had visited Kanyakumari twice, in 1925 and 1937. Additionally, after his demise, the ashes were separated into 12 urns out of which one was brought to Kanyakumari to be immersed in the sea. The memorial stands at the spot where the ashes were kept before being immersed. Located near the Shakti Peeth temple, the memorial exhibits the brilliance of the Orissa style of architecture. An amazing feature of the structure is the ceiling. It has been structured in a way that on the 2nd of October (the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi), the sun rays first fall at the exact location where the ashes were kept. A stunning memorial building, this place is a must-visit for history buffs.

Kanyakumari beach

Kanyakumari beach is among the most beautiful of its kind in India. It is particularly known for its breath-taking views of sunrise and sunset. Another special feature of the beach is the multi-colored sand on the shore. The beach is a great spot to spend a day in nature, in quietude and peace. You can also satiate your shopping spree at the quaint little shops near the seaside. This is a great place to collect souvenirs. Swimming is not advisable as the waters are pretty rough and the beach is rocky. At the Triveni Sangam, where the three seas meet, there is a series of steps built for visitors to pay their respects. Devotees go down these steps and dip their feet at the confluence and sprinkle the holy water on their bodies.

Mayapuri Wonder Wax museum

The Mayapuri Wonder Wax museum is another popular tourist site in Kanyakumari. Situated as a part of the Baywatch Amusement Park, the museum has wonderful wax exhibits of famous personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, A.R. Rahman, Amitabh Bacchan, and Mother Teresa to name a few. The museum also boasts of beautiful paintings, artifacts, and other antiques. It is a great place to visit with kids.