Kanyakumari formerly known as Cape Comorin, is a sea side town on the southernmost tip of India, famous for pilgrimage and tourism. Its name comes from the temple of Goddess Kanya Kumari who is the presiding deity. Kanyakumari has been a prominent centre for art, commerce and religion for centuries, having also been mentioned in Roman texts for its pearl trade links with Alexandria.

Attractions: The key attraction is the Temple of Devi Kanya Kumari, worshipped in child form, located at the confluence of three seas. The Goddess removes the rigidity of our mind when prayed to, with devotion and contemplation. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial, another landmark of Kanyakumari, stands on top of two rocks that are situated approximately 500 meters off the island so you will have to board a ferry to reach there. It is believed that the great philosopher, Swami Vivekananda had meditated here while seeking enlightenment.

If you are looking at cultural heritage and history, the statue of the Tamil saint and philosopher Thiruvalluvar is definitely worth visiting. 133 feet tall and weighing over 7000 tons, Thiruvalluvar’s statue was designed to be a beacon of art for humanity. Relax on the beach to spectacular sunrises and sunsets, thanks to Kanyakumari being at the junction of 3 seas. On full-moon evenings, it is exciting to see the moon-rise and sunset at the same time. Other places worth seeing are the Agastyar Mala, Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil, Sitharal Jain monuments and the Uadayagiri and Vattukottai forts linked to the Dutch and British settlements in Indian history.

Shopping: Seashell trinkets and souvenirs, cotton garments, palm leaf items.

Accessibility: Kanyakumari is connected to all major Indian cities by road, rail and air. The nearest airport is at Trivandrum in the state of Kerala(67 km.)

Best time to visit: October – March; April and May being the hottest months of the year.