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The
land's end of India or the point where the three seas meet, is the enchanting
Kanniyakumari or Cape comorin. It is one of the most popular tourist spots
i n the State
and one of the spots in the country. Part of the fascination being the fact that it is the
very tip of the Indian peninsula and the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea
and the Indian Ocean. You'd love to see Cape Comorin during Chitra Pournami (full moon day
in April). Kanyakumari - the place that has more tourist spots than any other
district in Tamil Nadu. It has a long list of places that will surely stun any tourist -
Vallakkottai, Suseendram temple, Palace of Padmanabhapuram, Udayagiri Fort in Puliyur, the
natural harbour ar Kulacchal, Maathoor Basin Bridge which has the distinction of being the
tallest of its kind in Asia, Kalikesam, Ulakkai Waterfalls, Pecchi rocks, Perunjani, the
Sitraaru dam, Tirparappu waterfall and the list goes on. To
top it all, there is a little known double waterfall, located very close to Pechhiparai.
The ring mountain or modhiramalai is situated about 7 km from Pechiparai, as one goes on
the road to Kodaiyar. The mountainous village of Kuttriyar lies nestled amongst Nature's
best in this very area.
Mother Nature didn't have any qualms while
'touching up' this village. The dappling rivers, Kodai, Mayilar, Kallakuttriyar add more
to the magical beauty of this village. Five km from this village are the tall forests,
bordered by the lush waters of river Kodhai. If you just proceed along the banks of the
river, you will come across the double waterfall. The waterfall splits into small branches
from a height of about 50 feet, thereby giving it the name "Twin Waterfalls".
One delightful fact about this waterfall is that it has water all the year round - what a
relief from the hot summer months! This spot is a definite boon to a tourist - especially
one who has a penchant for bountiful nature.
What to see as a tourist:
Kumari Amman temple
It is dedicated to Parvathi as Devi kanya-the virgin
goddess who did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Siva. Darshan timings: 4.30 a.m. to
12.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.
Vivekananda Rock
This Memorial was built in 1970. it is dedicated to Swami
Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer and saint, India has produced. Swami Vivekananda
meditated at the end of 1892 on the rock where the memorial stands today before his
departure to Chicago to participate in the World Religious Conference in 1893. A
meditation hall is also attached to the memorial. Ferry service is available to reach the
memorial.
Vattakottai (circular Fort)
 This 18th Centuary fort over looking the sea is a fine
picnic spot. The sea is calm and suitable for bathing here. It is about 6 km in distance.
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Nagercoil (19km)
The Nagaraja temple is situated in this town. Though
Nagaraja (serpent God) is the presiding deity, the images of Lord Siva and Ananthakrishna
are also enshrined here. The images of the Jain Theerthangaras, Mahavira and Parsvanathar,
are found on the pillars of the temple. The Nagaraja is installed on the ground where it
was originally found and the sands are scooped out and given as Prasadam to the devotees.
The entrance to the temple is reminiscent of Chinese architecture of the Buddhist Vihra.
Suchindram (13 km)
The Thanumalayan temple is a repository of art treasures.
Musical pillars and a huge 18-foot-high Hanuman statue are proof of the artistic skill of
the time. Inscriptions said to tbe of the 9th Century AD are found in this temple. This
unique temple is dedicated to Trimurthy Vishnu, Siva and Brahma.
Udayagiri Fort (34 km)
 This fort was built during the regime of king Marthanda
Varma (1729_1758 AD). It also had a foundry for casting guns. De Lennoy's tomb is in this
fort. He was one of the 24 European prisoners taken by King Marthanda Varma in 1741 when
he defeated the Dutch at Colachel. He joined King Marthanda Varma and became a trusted
General. He trained soldiers in the European method of fighting.
Thengapattanam Beach (54 km)
It is fine beach resort with backwaters. It is an excellent
picnic spot for visitors.
Thiruparappu Water Falls (60 km)
Picturesque spot with an ancient Mahadeva temple.
 Thiruvattar (70 km)
The temple is one of the finest specimens of temple
architecture. The paintings on the walls of the temple are worth seeing. Mathoor
Thottipalam is one of the largest and the highest bridges located near Thiruvattar and is
about 70 km from Kanniyakumari. The bridge and the lush green surrondings are noted for
scenic beauty.
Kumarakovil (34 km)
The Lord Muruga Temple is built on a hill about 200 feet in
height and is noted for architectural beauty.
 Festivals
Chithra Pournami Festival - April-May, Navarathri:
September-October. Annual Holy Festival of R.C. Church - second week of December.
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General Information
Area: 25,89 sq.km.
Population: 17,206 (1991 census)
Altitude: sea level
Climate:
MAX
MIN
Summer 34.8
C
21.6 C
Winter 33.8
C
22.4 C
Rainfall: 102cms average
Clothing: Trophical
Season: Throughout the year
Languages spoken: Tamil, Malayalam
and English |
Accommodation
Hotel TamilNadu
Govt.of Tamilnadu Undertaking, Beach Road, Kanniyakumari, 71257/8
Kerala House Restaurant, Beach Road, 71229
Vivekananda Kendra Rest House, 71250/1
Vivekananda puram - Hotel Duruva
Restaurant, Lakshmi Tourist Home, East Car Street, 71333
Triveni Tourist Home, Main Raod, 71575
Hotel Cape Residency, Nagercoil Road, 71331
Hotel Ashok, Middle street, 71095
Hotel Maadhini, East Car Street, 71787
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