KANYAKUMARI TOURISM
KANYAKUMARI TOURISM
It opens from 0700 to 1100 and from 1400 to 1700.
Tip: Wear thick socks as one have to take off shoes before entering.
Previously known as Cape Cormorin, Kanyakumari is situated in Tamilnadu State. Located at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, it is surrounded by three oceans; Bay of Bengal in the east, Arabian Sea in the west and the Indian Ocean in the south. 83km south of Thirunelveli, Kanyakumari is also the district headquarters of the district of the same name. The place is popular among the tourists for its spectacular sunrise and sunsets, Gandhi Mandapam, Vivekananda Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari temple etc.
The place takes its name from Kanya Kumari (Virgin goddess), who is believed to be the incarnation of Godesses Parvati, meditated for a long time to convince Lord Shiva for marriage. There is a Kumari Amman temple dedicated to Godess.
Tourist attractions in KanyakumariKumari Amman or Kanyakumari Temple
The temple and the adjoining ghat overlooks the shoreline. The deity, Devi Kanyakumari (incarnation of Godesses Parvati) is the protector of India's shores has an exceptionally brilliant diamond on her nose ring which is said to be visible even from the sea. The temple opens from 04:30 to 11:30 and from 17:30 to 20:30. Pilgrims come to bathe in a rocky ocean pool near this temple. Non-Hindus are not allowed.
Vivekananda Memorial
It is about 500 meters away from mainland. This memorial stands on one of two rocks separated by about 70 meters. Built in 1970, this memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer. Swamy Vivekananda was supposed to have meditated on the rock where the memorial stands today. A meditation hall is also attached with the memorial. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. It houses a statue of Vivekananda. The divine foot print 'Pada Parai' of Devi is also seen here. It is accessible by regular ferry services. It opens from Wednesday to Monday. Tuesday is holiday. Located at the southern most tip of the Indian Peninsula where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, is Kanyakumari, the place famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Here out in the sea, about 400m from the shore, on a rocky islet lies a magnificent monument, a memorial dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, the Bengali religious leader, philosopher and social reformer.
The memorial was built in 1970 by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee to commemorate the visit of Swamy Vivekananda here in December 1892, for deep meditation and enlightenment. The memorial designed by Sthapati Sri S.K. Achari and consecrated by Srimad Swami Vireshwarananda, President of Ramakrishna mission was formally inaugurated by Sri. V.V. Giri, the then President of India in September 1970.
The memorial as a whole has two main structures Vivekananda Mandapam and Sripada Mandapam, on two rocks standing adjacent to each other separated by about 70 metres. The smaller rock known as 'Sripada Parai' has been revered as a sacred place even from very ancient times. Legend says that Goddess Kanya Kumari meditated on this rock and there is actually a projection on the rock similar in form to a human foot believed to be the 'Sripadam' or the feet of the Goddess. It is the focal point of the memorial. It is now enclosed in a square shrine or Sripada Madapam. This shrine consists of the sanctum sanctorum, an inner compartment as well as outer compartment. There is an outer platform all around.
Vivekananda Mandapam with a dimension of 534' x 426', consists of a Meditation Hall ( Dhyana Mandapam) with six adjacent rooms where visitors can meditate peacefully and an Assembly hall (Sabha Mandapam) with two rooms and a corridor. A statue of Swami Vivekananda in a standing posture, has also been installed in the Assembly hall, with its vision directed towards the 'Sripadam'. The sacred Hindu Symbol 'aum' or 'om' is written above the main entrance of the memorial, in Tamil. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. Wide entrance steps lead to the main entrance. The cost of construction of the memorial came up to 1 crore 35 lakhs. The rock on which the memorial stands measures about 164 mtrs. x 130 mtrs. at the water level and has a spacious level top at an altitude of 17 mtrs.
Swamy Vivekanada (1863-1902), the spiritual genius renounced the world and traveled widely as a wandering monk after the death of his guru Sri Ramakrishna. He came to Kanyakumari in 1892, swam in the ocean up to the 'Sripada' rock, and spent the whole night there meditating. It is believed that he received enlightenment here which transformed him into one of the most charismatic spiritual leaders of this century. The next year in 1893, he attended the Parliament of Religions, a major event in the modern history of Hinduism, held in Chicago, and spread the Vedantha philosophy and religion in the West. He founded the Ramakrishna math and mission in 1897. His lectures and writings are available as books.
Poompuhar Shipping Corporation operates regular ferry service to the island from the mainland. There are two helipads on the Rock, one on the northwest and the other on the southwest. The memorial attracts thousands of visitors and offers a spectacular view of the mainland and the ocean. It opens from Wednesday to Monday from 0700 to 1100 in the morning and from 1400 to 1700 in the afternoon. Tuesday is a holiday. Nearby there is a recently erected Tiruvalluvar statue, the author of the philosophical work 'Tirukkural', a treatise on the Indian way of life.
It opens from 0700 to 1100 and from 1400 to 1700.
Tip: Wear thick socks as one have to take off shoes before entering.
Thiruvalluvar Statue
Here out in the sea, about 400m from the shore, on the minor rock adjoining the Vivekananda rock memorial lies a gigantic 40 m high statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, the author who gave us quintessential words of wisdom through his philosophical work 'Thirukkural', a treatise in Tamil on the Indian way of life. The statue, standing amid the dancing blue waves, creates a lasting impression as it rises high over the rock.Located at the southern most tip of the Indian Peninsula where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, is Kanyakumari, the place famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Here out in the sea, about 400m from the shore, on the minor rock adjoining the Vivekananda rock memorial lies a Statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, the author who gave us quintessential words of wisdom through his philosophical work 'Thirukkural', a treatise in Tamil on the Indian way of life. The statue, standing amid the dancing blue waves, creates a lasting impression as it rises high over the rock.
The foundation stone for the statue was laid in 1979 by the former Prime Minister, Morarji Desai. But the installation was finalised and the actual work of sculpting the statue began only in 1990 when Chief Minister Mr. Karunanidhi allocated funds for its erection in the 1990-91 budget. Five hundred sculptors were engaged for this work under the able guidance of Dr. Ganapathi Sthapati and the work was completed in 1999. The statue was inaugurated on 1st January 2000 by Dr. M.Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The rocks for the sculpture came from Sirudhamoor, Pattumalikuppam and Ambhasamudram Hills.
The monument, installed at a cost of Rs. 6.14 crores is 133 feet high including the pedestal, signifying the 133 chapters of the 'Thirukkural'. The pedestal is 38 ft high representing the 38 chapters in the first part of the Kural (the Book of Aram (virtue) and the 95 ft statue represents the total chapters in the second and third parts of the Kural, Wealth and Love. Thus the statue symbolises the themes of wealth and love based on virtue. The right hand of Thiruvalluvar with three fingers pointing skywards, also signifies the three cantos of 'Thirukkural' - 'Aram, Porul and Inbam.'
The pedestal is surrounded by an artistic mandapam known as 'alankara mandapam'. Surrounding this mandapam stand statues of ten elephants signifying 8 directions with earth and space down. 140 steps are constructed inside the mandapam to enable the visitors to climb upto the foot of the statue. There were plans to inscribe select couplets from 'Thirukkural' on the outer periphery of the pedestal.
Kanyakumari, the last land point in South of India is visited by many people due to its temples, forts, other historical/mythological monuments and lastly for its beauty. I liked the way this post is compiled. To check the detail of popular temple of this place visit here and it will be good experience to read this.
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