Kanyakumari

State

Tamil Nadu

Country

India

Continent

Asia

Size

1,684 KM²

Population

1,976,376

Spending Budget

$109 - $272

Famous For

Kanyakumari Beach
Thirparappu Waterfalls
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Triveni Sangam

Best Time to Visit

January
February
November
December

History

The area that comprises the current Kanyakumari district was a part of the old Ay kingdom of the first and second Sangham ages. Following the decline of the Ay kingdoms, the area became Venad, with its capital Padmanabhapuram located North, North West of Nagercoil. The wealth of the Nanjilnadu beckoned many invaded kings including the Nayaks and later an Islamist army during the reign of Umayamma Rani. The Venad region was in anarchy before Marthanda Varma ascended the throne in 1729 CE. Under their rule anarchy was dominant in the Kanyakumari region. Under his rule, the district improved in a social context as well as economically. The famous battle of Colachel took place in the district. Later, the Maharajas of Travancore built the forts at Aramboly (Aralvaimozhy) to prevent any invasion from the Carnatic Kings. the present Kanyakumari district. The district was ruled by various dynasties: Venad Kingdom, Travancore Kingdom, the Cheras, the Cholas, the Ays and the Nayaks. A few artefacts were unearthed by archaeological excavations in parts of the district. The district was part of the princely state of Travancore during the colonial times prior to India's independence; four of the eight tehsils of Thiruvananthapuram district were separated to form the new district of Kanyakumari in 1956 following the demands of reunion made by the Tamil speaking majority people (about 70% of the population), who feels that their feelings were suppressed by the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom which has Malayalam majority population.

Present Day

Kanyakumari District is located in the southernmost part of the Indian sub-continent. Kanyakumari plays a vital role in the socio-economic life of the people. It lies between 77° and 77.36° of east longitude and 8.03° and 8.35° of the northern longitudes. In Kanyakumari, three seas merge which symbolizes and it is a place of pilgrimage. Pilgrims appear to have kept alive the link between north and south India. It has natural boundaries of its own. It is bounded by Thirunelveli District on the North-East, the Indian Ocean in the South, the Arabian Sea and Kerala on the West and North-West and the Bay of Bengal on the East. These boundaries give a Separation to the people of Kanyakumari District. Kanyakumari District is little, when contrasted and other Region in Tamil Nadu. It is separated into four taluks, in particular Agasteeswaram, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode. The two Northernmost taluks, for example, Agasteeswaram and Thovalai together are known as "Nanchilnad". When this District was a vital part of Travancore. It was converged with Tamil Nadu on November 1, 1965. A large portion of the individuals of this District communicate in Tamil and certain gatherings of individuals are likewise knowledgeable in Malayalam. The mountain scopes of Kanyakumari District give extra magnificence to it. A huge segment of the Thovalai Taluk comprises slopes and mountains. The appealing Udamalai running towards the North-West and South-East is very lofty Mahendragiri is the most elevated mountain in Kanyakumari District. The tallness of the mountain is 5.427 feet. 'Maruthuvalmali’ is situated in the South of Mahendragiri. Maruthuvalmali isolates Agusteeswaram Taluk from Thovalai. The tallness of Maruthuvalmalai is 370 meters. The North East of Udarnalai contains Marvattoor slopes. It involves a huge part of Kalkulam Taluk. These slopes are high and contain brimming with rocks. Another mountain goes in Kanyakumari District is situated in the Sroolakode locale. This rough mountain contains pinnacles and thick woodland. These mountain ranges fill in as a habitation of different social gatherings and creatures. These days, it draws in the consideration of a number of growers". The atmosphere of Kanyakumari District is reasonable for the development of an enormous assortment of trees and plants. Wet and dry developments are flourishing all the while. The thick coconut fields on the bank of the streams and paddy fields are the star footings of this spot. Large trees like anjili, mango, tamarind, cashew and different assortments are recognizable to this spot, Palms accessible around there are valuable to the individuals. Paddy and banana trees are generally developed yields. Rubber is too developed.

Future

Future development includes tender to improve six of the 15 state highway projects including long pending Chennai-Kanyakumari industrial corridor. At a large public function in Kanyakumari, Prime minister, also laid the Foundation Stone for the restoration of rail connectivity between Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi, and the restoration of the Pamban bridge. The Rameswaram-Dhanushkodi rail line got damaged after the disaster of 1964 but for over fifty years, no attention was paid to this line. The Union government has sanctioned over Rs. 300-crore from the Central Road Fund (CRF) for repairing 44 State roads in Kanyakumari district. Rs. 50 crore has been sanctioned for construction of Parvathipuram flyover and Rs. 72 crore for a flyover in Marthandam. Preliminary work on these two projects had began. The government has also sanctioned Rs. 40 crore for Ozhiginaseri flyover and Rs. 90 crore for Chettikulam flyover.

Must Visit Places ------------

Kanyakumari beach

Situated in the southernmost piece of India, Kanyakumari seashore with its delightful tone evolving seashores, the conjunction of three water bodies: Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea. Inexplicably, here one can see that the water of the three oceans doesn’t blend, one can recognize the turquoise blue, dark blue, and ocean green waters of the three oceans, however, the hues continue changing with the season and the day’s climate.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Famously known as the place where Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment, this rock memorial was built in the year 1970 to commemorate this saint and is a well-known tourist place in Kanyakumari. Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a notable traveller landmark set in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. The commemoration remains on one of the two rocks, around 500 meters from India’s southernmost tip. It was built out of appreciation for Swami Vivekananda who is said to have accomplished edification on this stone.

Thiruvalluvar Statue

Devoted to the cultivated scholar and writer Thiruvalluvar, this excellent sculpture winds up on a little island close to Kanyakumari. The imposing statue of the Tamil literary legend, Thrivalluvar stands tall and mighty adjacent to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. This architectural masterpiece has a 38-feet tall pedestal representing the 38 chapters on virtue in his literary work – Thirukkural – and the 133-feet tall statue represents the 133 chapters in this book. This is one of the most wonderful tourist places in Kanyakumari that also holds great historical and architectural significance.

Thanumalayan Temple

Thanumalayam Temple represents both Shaivite and Vaishnavite communities and is dedicated to the Trimurthis – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The intricately designed gopurams, the 22-feet-tall statue of Lord Anjaneya and the musical pillars built out of a single granite are some of the noteworthy aspects of the temple. Indeed this temple is thronged by devotees and tourists to admire its architectural beauty and to pay obeisance to Sthanumalayan – the three Lords enshrined as a single deity. The lovely sanctuary was revamped in the seventeenth century, and its engravings go back to the ninth century.

Kumari Amman Temple

Kumari Amman Temple is one spot in Kanyakumari with a ton of social hugeness in Kanyakumari. This grand sanctuary is arranged on the coast conquering the seashore and a huge number of travellers come here making exceptionally enormous lines. An expression of alert: except if you are a Hindu you won’t be allowed to enter Kumari Amman Temple in any event, for touring.

Thirparappu Waterfalls

Fifty-feet tall man-made waterfalls, Thirparappu Waterfalls located around 55kms from Kanyakumari is a worth a visit. The water collects in a small pool below and the public is allowed to bathe in the cool waters of this falls. The surrounding area is also built like a park where tourists can sit and relax, watching the falls. A cool getaway from the city centre, Thirparappu Falls is one of the many popular places to visit near Kanyakumari and also a must-visit tourist attraction.

Padmanabhapuram Palace

This notable palace is located 10kms from the city centre and is a charming beauty of the 16th century. This palace is intricately built with teakwood and is a classic example of Tacusastra (ancient art of carpentry). A rich heritage of the Kingdom of Travancore, this marvellous palace has everything from Brazilian mirrors, beautifully carved columns to furniture designed with Chinese carvings. The two-storey palace is artistically interconnected through narrow paths from one unit to another and it also houses the paintings of all the Kings of Travancore.

Sunset Point

Watching the gorgeous sunset at the backdrop of the clear blue sky and the blue ocean is a splendid experience every tourist must enjoy. The reflection of the setting sun on the sea changes from golden to crimson red and this alluring sight is sure to leave the onlooker awestruck. The Sunset Point is also the point where the 2 seas and the Indian Ocean and is one of the top places to visit in Kanyakumari to enjoy the amazing sunset.

Vattakotai Fort

The splendid Vattakotai Fort is spread over an area of 3.5acres and is one of the fascinating places to visit in Kanyakumari. The fort which was built in the 18th century by the Travancore Dynasty, under the supervision of King Marthanda Verma, overlooks the might Bay of Bengal and gives a spectacular view of the sea. It was the last fort built by this dynasty after defeating Captain Eustachius De Lannoy’s army in the Battle of Colachel. This fort is now protected and maintained by the Archeological Department of India.

Triveni Sangam

Kanyakumari is also famous for the Triveni Sangam – the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Deities visiting the Kanyakumari temple also visit this Sangam and dip their feet in the water as they consider it holy. The Sangam offers a spectacular view of the sunset and also the rock memorial situated just 500m from the seashore.