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== History == |
== History == |
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Kanyakumari takes its name from the Kumari Amman or Kanyakumari Temple, situated in the town, on the sea-shore, the very confluence of the three water-bodies - Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. According to local lore, [[Kanya Devi]], an [[avatar]] of Parvati, was to marry Shiva, but as he failed to show up on |
Kanyakumari takes its name from the Kumari Amman or Kanyakumari Temple, situated in the town, on the sea-shore, the very confluence of the three water-bodies - Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. According to local lore, [[Kanya Devi]], an [[avatar]] of Parvati, was to marry Shiva, but as he failed to show up on% |
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According to another local myth, [[Hanuman|Lord Hanuman]] dropped a piece of earth as he was carrying a mountain with his life-saving herb, [[Mrita Sanjivani]] from the Himalayas to Lanka ([[Sri Lanka]]) during the Rama-Ravana war. This chunk of earth is called [[Marunthuvazh Malai]], which is literally translated to "hills where medicine is found".This is said to be the reason for the abundance of unique native medicinal plants in the area. [[Marunthuvazh Malai]] is located near [[Swamithope]] about 7 km from Kanyakumari town on the Kanyakumari-Nagercoil highway. |
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The sage [[Agasthya]], who was himself an expert in medicinal herbs, is believed to have lived around this site in ancient days. The reason why, some believe, so many medicinal herbs are to be found on these hills near Kanyakumari. There is even a village by the name [[Agastheeswaram]] close to the town, named after the sage. Today, there is a small [[Ashram]] on the middle of the Maruthuvazh Malai hill, which tourists visit (after a short trek from the base of the hill), both to visit the Ashram and also to take a glimpse of the sea near Kanyakumari a few kilometres away, and the greenery below. |
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[[Image:Tiruvalluvar Statue Kanyakumari.jpg|right|thumbnail|The 133 ft tall Tiruvalluvar statue]] |
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Kanyakumari has been a great centre for art and religion for centuries. It was also an area of great trade and commerce. It was ruled by the [[Cholas]], the [[Chera dynasty|Chera]]s, the [[Pandyan kingdom|Pandyas]] and the [[Nayak]]s. The architectural beauty of the temples in the area are the works of these rulers. Later Kanyakumari became part of the [[Venad]] kingdom with its capital at [[Padmanabhapuram]]. The king of Venad, Anizham Thirunal [[Marthanda Varma]], established [[Travancore]] by extending his domain further north up to Azhva, during his reign from 1729 to 1758. By this, the present Kanyakumari District came to be known as Southern Travancore. In 1741, Maharaja [[Marthanda Varma]] defeated the Dutch East India Company at the famous [[Battle of Colachel]]. |
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Kanyakumari was under the rule of the Kings of Travancore under the overall suzerainty of the British until 1947, when India became independent. Travancore joined the independent Indian Union in 1947. The reign of the Travancore royals came to an end. |
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Under the [[Travancore]] state, the town, and the modern administrative district that bears its name, [[Kanyakumari District]], gained both socially and economically. |
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In 1949, Kanyakumari became part of the reconstituted Travancore-Cochin State. Around this time, a popular agitation for the amalgamation of Kanyakumari District with Tamil Nadu by the Tamil-speaking majority of the district intensified, under the leadership of [[M.A. Nesamony]] Eventually, in 1956, Kanyakumari was integrated with Tamil Nadu (then known as Madras State) as per the language-based reorganisation of States. |
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Christianity arrived in South India around AD 52 through [[Thomas (Apostle)|St. Thomas]], one of the twelve Apostles of Christ. However, European missionaries, who arrived in the 16th century, propagated Christianity in the area. [[St. Francis Xavier]] (April 7, 1506 – December 2, 1552) was the pioneer in preaching Christianity in the present day Kanyakumari district. Islam is believed to have entered the southern part of India through Kanyakumari during the early part of the eighth century AD through traders and missionaries who came through sea-routes. Islam, Christianity and [[Jainism]] have also contributed to the architectural wealth and literary heritage of the region. |
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==Geographical Location== |
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Kanniyakumari is located at {{coor d|8.08|N|77.57|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/25/Kanniyakumari.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kanniyakumari]</ref> It has an average elevation of 0 [[metre]]s (0 [[foot (unit of length)|feet]]). It lies at the meeting point of the three [[Body of water|bodies of water]]: the [[Arabian Sea]], the [[Bay of Bengal]] and the [[Indian Ocean]]. It is situated at 8° 4′ 41″ N, 77° 32′ 28″ E, and is the terminating point of the [[Western Ghats]] and [[Eastern Ghats]]. On the north and the east, it is bounded by [[Tirunelveli District]], while on the west and northwest it is bounded by [[Kerala]] state. |
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It is suggested that there once existed a continent called [[Kumari Kandam]] to the south of Kanyakumari, often compared with [[Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]]. |
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==Demography== |
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[[As of 2001]] India [[census]],<ref>{{GR|India}}</ref> Kanyakumari town had a native population of 19,678. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. |
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==Tourism== |
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[[Image:KK in Sunrise.JPG|thumb|right|Vivekananda Memorial and Tiruvalluvar Rock at sunrise in Kanyakumari]] |
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Beginning the early part of the 1970's, tourism has been an important activity in the town. Today, it is one small town in South India where one can see different languages of India spoken at different street corners, among the tourists and traders. Of late, Tourism is increasingly being promoted in the district also, apart from the town, with several beautiful natural landscapes, historic and religious places found around the district. |
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A total of 1.9 million tourists (domestic and foreign tourists) visited Kanyakumari in 2007 <ref>{{http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011555560100.htm }}</ref> |
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With tourism also picking up in neighbouring [[Kerala]], the future prospects for the growth of tourism looks bright both in Kanyakumari town and the district. |
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Though there are several places of tourist-interest in the town and district, Kanyakumari is especially popular in India for its spectacular and unique sunrise and sunset. The confluence of three ocean bodies - the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea - makes the sunrise and sunset even more special. On balmy, full-moon evenings, (locally called [[Chitra Pournami]]) one can also see the moon-rise and sunset at the same time - on either side of the horizon. |
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==Tourist Sites within the Town== |
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[[Image:Gandhi Memorial Kanyakumari.jpg|right|thumbnail|The Gandhi Mandapam]] |
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The Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple, located on the shore, is a [[Shakti Peetha]] dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess who did penance to obtain Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. The temple and the adjoining [[Ghats|ghat]], situated overlooking the shore, attract tourists from all over the world. The sparkling diamond nose-ring of the deity is said to be visible even from the sea. |
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On two rocky islets just off the shore, southeast of the Kumari Amman temple, are the [[Vivekanda Rock Memorial]], built in 1970, and the gigantic 133 feet statue of [[Tamil]] saint-poet [[Thiruvalluvar]], one of the biggest statues in Asia. One of the rocks called [[Sri Padhaparai]] is said to bear the footprints of the virgin goddess. [[Swami Vivekananda]] is said to have seated on this rock in deep meditation. Also on this rock, there is a [[Dhyana]] mandapam, an area for meditation. Ferry services are available to reach the memorial. |
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The Gandhi Memorial has been built on the spot where the urn containing the [[Mahatma]]'s ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. Resembling central Indian Hindu temples in form, the memorial was designed in such a way that on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, [[October 2]], the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept. |
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==Photo Gallery : Kanyakumari and Around== |
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<gallery> |
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Image:St. Xavier's Church, Kottar.JPG|[[St. Francis Xavier]]'s Church, [[Kottar]], [[Nagercoil]] - where [[St.Francis Xavier]], the great missionary said mass in the 16th century |
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Image:Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Sunrise.JPG|Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari, at sunrise |
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Image:Hill-View from Vattakottai Fort.JPG|View of the [[Western Ghats]] from [[Vattakottai Fort]] |
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Image:Mathur Aqueduct.JPG|Mathur [[Aqueduct]] (Mathur Hanging Trough Bridge) |
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Image:Thiruvalluvar Statue at Night.JPG|The 133 ft [[Thiruvalluvar]] Statue, Kanyakumari at night |
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Image:Padmanabhapuram Palace.JPG|Padmanabhapuram Palace, near Thuckalay |
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Image:Chitharal Hill Jain Temple.JPG|Ancient Jain temple on hill at Chitharal, near Marthandam |
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Image:Muttom Fishing Village.JPG|[[Muttom]] fishing village |
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Image:Thriparappu falls.JPG|Thirparappu waterfalls |
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Image:Keeriparai - Forest Stream.JPG|Jungle stream at Keeriparai |
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Image:Thengapattnam - Ferry Across The Estuary.JPG|Thengapattinam Estuary |
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Image:Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil.JPG|Nagaraja Temple, [[Nagercoil]] |
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Image:Udayagiri Hill-scene.JPG|View of the Hills from [[Udayagiri Fort]] |
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Image:Mathur Hanging Trough Bridge.JPG|Mathur Trough Bridge, near Thiruvattar |
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Image:Thottiyodu Scenery, Kanyakumari District.JPG|Scenic view at Thottiyodu, on the [[Nagercoil]]-[[Thiruvananthapuram]] Highway |
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Image:Suchindrum Temple.JPG|[[Suchindrum]] Temple near Nagercoil |
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Image:Pechiparai Dam, with a scenic view of the Western Ghats.JPG|[[Pechiparai]] Dam, with the [[Western Ghats]] in the background |
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Image:Thirparappu_Temple.JPG|Thirparappu Temple, near Thirparappu Waterfalls |
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Image:Thiruvattar Adhi Kesava Temple.JPG|Adhi Kesava Temple at Thiruvattar. The inner temple is believed to be more than 2000 years old. |
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Image:Hilly Red-earth Terrain near Muttom Coast, Kanyakumari District.JPG|Hilly ravine-like terrain near the [[Muttom]] coast |
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Image:Jain Art & Carvings at Chitharal Hill Temple.JPG| Jain Art & Carvings at the hilltop-temple at [[Chitharal]]. The District is believed to have been under Jain ([[Jainism]]) influence, centuries ago. |
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Image:Rubber Plantation in Kanyakumari District (near Pechiparai).JPG|Rubber Plantation near Pechiparai |
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Image:Maruthuvazhmalai Hill, Kanyakumari District.JPG|Maruthuvazhmalai (or medicinal) Hill, near Kanyakumari. Legend has it that God [[Hanuman]] dropped the hill/rock while flying to Lanka to save sita. |
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Image:Village Scene, Kanyakumari.JPG|Village scene, near Kanyakumari |
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Image:View from Vattakottai Fort.JPG| View of the sea from [[Vattakottai]] Fort. |
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Image:Pilgrims Taking Holy Dip at Kanyakumari.JPG|Pilgrims taking holy dip at Kanyakumari, where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, meet |
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Image:Padmanabhapuram Palace - Navarathi Mandapam.JPG|Navarathi Mandapam inside [[Padmanabhapuram Palace]] |
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Image:Hill Scenery - Nagercoil-Trivandrum Highway (Chunkankadai).jpg|Lotus Pond on the [[Nagercoil]]-[[Trivandrum]] highway, near [[Chunkankadai]] |
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Image:Black Sands near Vattakottai.JPG|Black sands at a beach near [[Vattakottai]] Fort |
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Image:Keeriparai - Vattaparai falls.JPG|Vattaparai, near [[Keeriparai]] |
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Image:Muttom Lighthouse.jpg|Lighthouse at [[Muttom]], which is more than 100 years old |
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Image:Gandhi Mandapam, Kanyakumari, at Night.JPG|Gandhi Mandapam, Kanyakumari, at night |
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Image:Kovalam Fishing Village, Kanyakumari.JPG|Kovalam fishing village, near Kanyakumari |
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Image:Thirparappu Waterfalls.JPG|Thirparappu waterfalls |
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Image:Muttom Coast.JPG|[[Muttom]] Coast |
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Image:De_lannoy_Tomb.JPG|[[Captain De lannoy]]'s Tomb at Udayagiri Fort |
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Image:Tsunami_Memorial_Kanyakumari.JPG|[[Tsunami]] Memorial |
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</gallery> |
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==Tourist Information== |
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Kanyakumari is directly connected by rail with almost all metropolitan cities in India. |
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Nearest Airport : [[Thiruvananthapuram]] (Trivandrum) International Airport, 85 km away from Kanyakumari Town and 65 km from [[Nagercoil]]. |
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==Nearby attractions== |
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[[Image:Baywatch Amusement Park, Kanyakumari.JPG|thumb|right|Baywatch Amusement Park, Kanyakumari]] |
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Though generally, only the town of Kanyakumari is mainly publicised in tourist brochures, Kanyakumari district has many more tourist attractions, from centuries-old historic and religious sites to scenic spots. It is a paradise for both the nature-lover and landscape-photographer. The district is also rich in flora and fauna. A unique feature of Kanyakumari district is that it has all kinds of natural eco-systems. Thus, one can see beaches, mountain valleys, evergreen forests in the deep interior, rubber and clove plantations on the highlands, etc. - all in a 50 km radius of Nagercoil, the headquarters of Kanyakumari district. Nagercoil is 22 km from Kanyakumari town. (see Kanyakumari district for more on the district). For images of Kanyakumari District, see [[Kanyakumari District in Images]]. |
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The following are some of the many popular historical and tourist attractions around :- |
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The [[Panchappathis|Panchappathi]], five primary sacred places of [[Ayyavazhi]] were all situated within a twenty-kilometer radius of Kanyakumari. It also includes the [[Swamithoppe Ayya Vaikundar Temple|Swamithope Pathi]], one of the famous temples in Tamil Nadu, situated ten kilometers to the northwest. It is not structurally massive but is known for its non-idolatry system of worship. |
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[[Image:Location of Pancha Pathi.png|thumb|right|Map showing the near-by areas of Kanyakumari region and [[Pancha pathi]].]] |
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[[Vattakottai Fort]] (literally, "circular fort") is an 18th-century fort overlooking the sea, located six kilometers from Kanyakumari. |
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[[Suchindram]] has the Sthanumalayan temple with a repository of art treasures belonging to several kingdoms. The temple is famous for its ninth-century inscriptions, musical columns, and 6-meter-tall statue of the monkey god Hanuman. The main deity in the form of a shivlinga represents Shiva, [[Vishnu]], and [[Brahma]], the trinity of the Hindu pantheon. |
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Nagercoil has St. Francis Xavier's church at [[Kottar]], where the missionary, St. Francis Xavier resided when he did his missionary work in the nearby areas. In Nagercoil, there is also the Nagaraja Temple and shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. The entrance to this temple is reminiscent of the Chinese architecture of a Buddhist Vihar. |
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[[Image:Sea-view from Vattakottai Fort.JPG|thumb|right|View of the sea from Vattakottai Fort, 6 km from Kanyakumari town.]] |
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[[Padmanabhapuram Palace]] is a large wooden palace of the Travancore kings. Other tourist attractions include [[Mathur Hanging Trough]], Sitharal Jain monuments, Thirunandhikarai cave temple, [[Thiruparrapu]] falls, Udayagiri Fort, Muttom, Vattakottai, Olakai Aruvi, [[Pechiparai Reservoir]], and St. Xavier church, all within 30 kilometers of Nagercoil. [[Tiruchendur]] on the Bay of Bengal is the site of a temple dedicated to Lord [[Kartikeya|Subramanya]]. |
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'''Baywatch''' ([http://www.baywatchpark.com water amusement-park]), and '''Wax museum'''(which is the only one of its kind in India) are the newest attractions, located within 2 km from Kanyakumari. |
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The [[Udayagiri Fort]], built by King [[Marthanda Varma]], has a foundry for casting guns. It is also the site of the grave of the king's trusted European general Captain [[Eustachius De Lannoy|De Lennoy]]. |
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==Places of Interest in [[Kanyakumari District]]== |
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[[Image:Vivekananda Rock & Valluvar Statue at Sunrise.JPG|thumb|400px|right|Kanyakumari - Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue at sunrise]] |
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[[Image:Thirparappu Waterfalls.JPG|thumb|400px|right|[[Thiruparappu]] waterfalls]] |
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[[Image:Keeriparai - View of Hills.JPG|thumb|400px|right|View of the Western Ghats at [[Keeriparai]]]] |
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[[Image:Chothavilai Beach.JPG|thumb|400px|right|Chothavilai Beach, near Nagercoil]] |
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[[Image:Thirparappu Temple.JPG|thumb|400px|right|Thirparappu Temple, near Thirparappu Waterfalls]] |
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[[Image:Mathur Aqueduct.JPG|thumb|400px|right|Mathur Aqueduct (Mathur Hanging Trough Bridge)]] |
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The district is a major tourist attraction in India, with a year-round tourist traffic at Kanyakumari town and several important tourist spots like [[Padmnabhapuram]] while seasonal in other tourist spots. The following are some of the major tourist attractions in Kanyakumari District, distances being given from Nagercoil: |
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*[[Kanyakumari]], the Land's end, and the confluence of the three water bodies, is 20 km to the south of Nagercoil, with tourist attractions of its own which include the [[Vivekanda Rock Memorial]], 133 ft high statue of Tamil poet-saint [[Tiruvalluvar]] - both on the mid-sea on rocky islands; the place is also famous for its distinctly beautiful (reddish) sunrise and sunset. |
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*[[Vattakottai Fort]], or Circular Fort, is a fort near Kanyakumari, right on the sea-shore, built under the orders of [[De Lannoy]] during the reign of [[Marthanda varma]] (1729-58 AD). The view from the top of the fort, of the sea and the palm-fringed beach below is fantastic. |
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*[[Suchindrum]] (Thanumalayan) Temple, about 6 km from the heart of town and Nagaraja Temple (in the town), are some tourist attractions within the town. |
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*St. Xavier’s Church, (Kottar in the town), built in the year 1600 AD, has historic importance due to the visit of [[St.Francis Xavier]]. The church was built in the land allotted to St. Xavier by the Venad king. |
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*[[Swamithoppepathi|Swamithoppe]] [[Ayya Vaikundar]] [[Pathi]], about 11 km from Kanyakumari, which is the religious headquarters of Ayyavazhi, is well known for its non-idolatry system of worship. |
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*[[Padmanabhapuram Palace]], (22 km from Nagercoil), once the seat of the Travancore kings, is India's only palace made completely of wood (16th century). |
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*[[Chitharal Jain Monuments]] (about 35 km near Marthandam), impressive rock shelters and idols dated 9-11th Century. |
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*Thirunandikkara temple (about 20 km), rock-cut cave temple of Pallava art can be traced back to seventh and eighth century AD. |
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*[[Thengapattinam]] Beach. This beach is located on the west coast near Painkulam village in Vilancode Taluk. It is a fine beach adorned with coconut groves. It is also a magnificent estuary where the river meets the sea. Riding in a catamaran (small boat) in the river can be a pleasant experience which can be arranged through local fishermen. It is 35 km from Nagercoil, 12 km from Kuzhithurai and 54 km from Kanyakumari. |
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*[[Udayagiri]] Fort, built by the Travancore kings, is a fort previously used for training the Travancore forces and also served as Barracks. Capt. [[Eustachius De Lannoy]]'s tomb is within the fort. The fort (about 90 acres and almost full of vegetation now, with several plants, reptiles, etc.) is presently declared as a bio-diversity park and maintained by the Kanyakumari forest department. |
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*[[Mathur Hanging Trough]], near Thiruvattar in the District, is an aqueduct that carries irrigation water through a canal between two hills. The canal itself goes above a small river. Built on very high pillars, it is said to be one of the biggest aqueducts, both in height and length, in Asia. The view from the middle of the aqueduct of the surrounding hills and vegetation and the small river flowing down below is superb. |
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*[[Olakaruvi]] waterfalls, about 20 km from Nagercoil is on the middle of a hill and requires an hour's trek by foot from the base of the hill (better to go in a group, as it is a forested area) |
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*[[Keeriparai]] - for nature-lovers and adventurers - pristine and beautiful, places like Keeriparai haven’t been publicized much by the Forest Department for various reasons - Keeriparai hills (30 km from Nagercoil) and the nearby Kalikesam are good [[picnic]] spots - one can enjoy water rushing through small mountain streams - with pebbles and ferns all around. There are also a few small waterfalls in this area - the popular one being [[Vattaparai Falls]]. Maramalai, which is further up in the hills of Keeriparai is famous for Wild [[elephants]]. |
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*[[Kodhayar]] (called Kodhayar Lower Camp) – is about 60 km and takes travellers through some exciting hill roads (motorable roads) with some thrilling 'hair-pin bends' and U-turns - Kodhayar forests are famous for [[bisons]], though there are other wild animals too. Access to some areas need prior permission from the Forest Department. |
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*[[Pechiparai Reservoir]], about 30 km from the town, in the hills, and also Perunchaani and Chittar dams are a must-see for the nature-lover (with clouds touching the top of the hills around the dams on a misty day !). |
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*[[Thiruparrapu]] Falls, is a waterfall near Thiruparrapu. |
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*Muttom, a coastal village, is another popular place with tourists. The terrain in this village and its surroundings is hilly and from a height one can have an idyllic view of the place, with a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] style church standing in the middle of the village. The beach-area is somewhat rocky. There is also a 100-year old [[lighthouse]]. The lighthouse, though near the sea, is situated on a land mass some 105 feet above sea level. Another attractive feature of this area, is a reddish ravine-like area with casurina trees near the seaside. This place with very popular with Tamil and Keralite film-makers, especially Tamil film director [[Bharathiraja]]. |
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*Sanguthurai Beach, about 8 km from Nagercoil is a palm-fringed and sandy beach. Sothavilai Beach is another good beach, about 7 km from the heart of town. Both beaches were hit by the [[Indian Ocean Tsunami]], but authorities have taken steps to improve facilities again. There is a very good [[lagoon]] (estuary - place where the river meets the sea) at Manakudy - 10 km from the town. |
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*[[Panchappathis]], the five holyplaces of Ayyavazhi, all situated within 10 km radius from Kanyakumari |
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*Mukkudal reservoir : Fresh water supply to Nagercoil is from the [[Mukkadal]] Reservoir, about 8 km from the town, in the interior - itself a very scenic place, with a small bushy island in the middle of the dam. The dam is surrounded by hills of the Western Ghats. |
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{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.nanjilonline.com/tourism/thiruvalluvar.asp |
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|title=Thiruvalluvar Statue |
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|publisher= |
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|accessdate=2006-10-28 |
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}}</ref> |
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==References== |
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<references/> |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.kanyakumari.tn.nic.in Kanyakumari] |
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* [http://www.hikanyakumari.com Kanyakumari Portal] |
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* [http://www.kanyakumaritourism.com Kanyakumari Tourism] |
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* {{wikitravel}} |
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* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4557303211664157648&q=kanyakumari 2004 tsunami hits Kanyakumari at the Tiruvalluvar statue] |
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*[http://www.koramangala.com/travel/kanyak/kanyak.htm Kanyakumari] |
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*http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011555560100.htm |
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[[Category:Cities and towns in Tamil Nadu]] |
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[[Category:Kanyakumari]] |
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[[Category:Kanya kumari Amman]] |
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[[es:Kanyakumari]] |
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[[fr:Kânyâkumârî]] |
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[[hi:कन्याकुमारी]] |
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[[bpy:কন্যাকুমারী]] |
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[[ml:കൊല്ലങ്കോട് (കന്യാകുമാരി)]] |
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[[new:कन्नियाकुमारी]] |
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[[ja:カンニヤークマリ]] |
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[[no:Kanyakumari]] |
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[[pt:Kanyakumari]] |
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[[ro:Kanyakumari]] |
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[[sv:Kanniyakumari]] |
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[[ta:கன்னியாகுமரி]] |
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Revision as of 03:39, 15 February 2008
- For other uses of Kanyakumari, please see Kanyakumari (disambiguation).
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari | |
|---|---|
| Location of Kanyakumari | |
| Government | |
| • District Collector | Dev Raj Dev |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 19,678 |
Kanyakumari (Tamil: கன்னியாகுமரி) is a town in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu state, India. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, it is also called Cape Comorin. The closest major cities are Nagercoil, the adminstrative headquarters of Kanyakumari district, (22 km) and Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala (85 km).
A popular tourist place in India, the town and the district, Kanyakumari District, in which it is located, is a place of great natural beauty - from the blue seas of Kanyakumari town to the blue hills of the Western Ghats in the interior.
History
Kanyakumari takes its name from the Kumari Amman or Kanyakumari Temple, situated in the town, on the sea-shore, the very confluence of the three water-bodies - Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. According to local lore, Kanya Devi, an avatar of Parvati, was to marry Shiva, but as he failed to show up on%