Kanyakumari Tourism

The Allure of Kanyakumari

It’s difficult to stress just how beautiful, how enchanting, and how transcendental sunrises and sunsets are from the beaches of Kanyakumari. The Indian Ocean meets with the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea at Cape Comorin. This Triveni Sangam is the only place in the world where three seas meet one another. Bathing in this confluence is considered sacred in Hinduism. The city has great religious significance, too, attracting many travellers from across the country. The Kumari Bhagwati Amman Temple is more than 3,000 years old, worshipping a teenage goddess. Places like the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Gandhi Memorial, and the 133-foot statue of Thiruvalluvar are other top Kanyakumari tourist attractions.

History and Legends

The history of Kanyakumari dates back thousands of years. It is believed to have been a centre of trade in ancient times. Since then, it has seen the rule of various colonial powers and dynasties. The Phoenicians mention the place in their ancient records. The Cheras ruled Kanyakumari during the first millennium CE. The Cholas, Pandyas, and the Vijayanagara Empire came later. Portuguese settlers reached this place by the 16th century, followed by the Dutch and then the British colonisers in the 18th century. Ever since independence, the city has been a major tourism hub. As far as local folklore goes, it is believed that the land was terrorised by a demon, whom goddess Bhagwati defeated to relieve the pain of the locals. Another legend says that when Lord Hanuman was carrying a mountain with life-saving herbs on it, he accidentally dropped a piece of land in the ocean near the shore, which became Kanyakumari.