12 Things To Do In Kanyakumari You Can’t Afford To Miss

Kanyakumari is not only the Southern tip of India but is also one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing tourist destinations. The place is rich in natural beauty and apart from that, there are several other attractions such as architectural wonders and ambience for which this place ranks high among the tourists. The clear blue sea along with the stunning landscape, do make for a wonderful picture and few destinations take the mind off the monotony of daily work to such a peaceful paradise.

Besides being the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari is also known for being the place where the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea meet. Located in Tamil Nadu, near the Kerala Border this place has everything to offer that a tourist might ask for. There is also some religious significance attached to this place because it is regarded as the abode of goddess Kanya Kumari who was the incarnation of Goddess Parvati.

Some important places to visit and things to do in Kanyakumari:

1. Find peace with a spiritual experience at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial

This feature very high in the list of places to visit for a tourist visiting Kanyakumari. The rock memorial was constructed on the rock in the memory of saint and philosopher Swami Vivekananda. He had spent three days at the rock in meditation and the rock also has a religious significance because it is believed that Goddess KanyaKumari performed her penance at this place by standing on one foot. The rock is just around 500 meters from the mainland and a 15 minutes ferry ride will get you there. If you get tickets worth INR 169 then you can avoid the long queues. The experience is going to enhance your spiritual peace beyond imagination.

2. A taste of fine architecture with the Thiruvalluvar Statue

This is an instance of fine architecture and was built in the memory of the legendary Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. The same ferry that takes tourists to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, sometimes stop here when the tide allows them to do so. Unless the statue is closed for maintenance, it is possible to go inside the base and then take the stairs to reach the feet for an amazing view. For those who appreciate a fine work of architecture, this statue is a delight.

3. Sunrise and Sunset Points; Enjoy the simplicity of nature enhanced by the ocean

While you are in Kanyakumari, you must make it a point to experience one of the most beautiful sunrise and sunset views. Put your woes behind and bask in the glory of nature as you experience this beautiful sight. Sunsets are more special on the nights of the full moon. This is because the tourists can experience the full moon setting and the Sun rising the next morning. The Thiruvalluvar Statue site is famous for the views and if you visit between the months December to February then you can enjoy the sun setting into the sea.

4. Bhagavathi Amman Temple; be one with God and nature

This temple is located close to the shores and is regarded as one of the most religious sites. Goddess KanyaKumari is worshiped here and this site has an idol of the goddess with a diamond nose pin. For a profound religious experience, tourists must pay a visit to this beautiful temple which is easily reachable by roads.

5. Gandhi Mandapam in the memory of the father of the nation

This is a place where you can pay your tributes to the Father of the Nation. The place is where the ashes of Gandhi were kept before they were immersed into the sea. The architecture of this place displays a unique Orissa style. The place is built such that every 2nd of October on the occasion of Gandhi’s birthday, the Sun’s rays fall directly on the spot where his ashes were kept. This is open from 7AM in the morning to 7PM and the place has no entry fee requirements.

6. Witness an amazing view of the ocean from Kanyakumari Beach

A visit to a beach destination is incomplete without a visit to the best beach in the region. In this case during a Kanyakumari trip, you cannot miss out on the Kanyakumari beach. Since the beach is rocky it is not very suitable for swimming, but one can enjoy a gala family time by the sea. You can capture some memorable moments in your camera and with the lighthouse, the view and the ambience; the beach is a pure pleasure moment for the tourist.

7. Thanumalayan Temple

This is probably the only temple in the world where three deities of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped in the form of a single deity called Sthanumalayan. The temple also has a tall 22 feet Hanuman statue. The carvings on the temple are exquisite and with the musical pillars and gopurams, it takes you into a spiritual journey. While visiting this place remember to abide by the dress codes and also take care to not get bluffed by the guides and pandas of this place.

8. Vattakottai Fort a mixture of nature and history to steal your heart

The fort dates back to the Travancore kingdom when it was a major defensive structure for the kingdom. It is just a 40 minutes’ drive from Kanyakumari and the historical value of the place makes it worth a visit. Located by the sea this place also offers great scenic beauty. The fort ramparts provide with some picture-perfect views.

9. The spectacular sight of the Thirparappu Falls

These are cascading waterfalls and are a sight to behold. Falling from a height of 50 feet, these falls are manmade. There is a lot of greenery around the place which makes it a pleasant spot and one can also avail of boat rides in the river Thirparappu.

10. The swimmer’s Delight Sothavilai Beach

Due to the shallow and calm waters around this beach, it is a popular site for swimming. The beach provides with a different experience than the Kanyakumari beach and is definitely worth a visit. This 4km long beach has sitting arrangements and you can enjoy some quiet time on the beach.

11. Olakaruvi Falls for a fun day out

This is a two level waterfall and is extremely popular among the tourists. To reach the upper level however, one has to trek for around one kilometer through a rocky forest region. The lower level is popular among tourists looking to have a nice picnic at the heart of nature.

12. Mathur Aqueduct

This is the longest aqueduct in South Asia and carries irrigation water from one hill to another. It is an engineering wonder and is a must visit for the tourists.

With so much on offer make your trip to Kanyakumari a reality and experience a wonderful vacation by the sea.