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Chennai |
Mamallapuram
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Kanchipuram
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Tiruvanamalai
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Chidambaram
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Kumbakonam |
Thanjavor |
Tiruchinapalli
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Madurai |
Rameshwaram
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Kanyakumari
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Ooty |
Kodaikanal |
Coimbatore |
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Area :
25.89sq.kms.
Altitude : Sea level
Language : Tamil, Malyalam and English
Kanyakumari is associated with goddess Kumari the virgin,
Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin). Kanyakumari has become a busy pilgrimage
centre dedicated to the goddess Devi Kanya an incarnation of Parvati
this land has great spiritual significance for hindus. The place is
named after the virgin goddess parvati who waited for her consort
lord shiva to come and claim her hand in marriage at the end of the
earth.
Kanyakumari - is at the land’s end of India, dipping into the
magical waters of the Indian Ocean flanked by the Arabian Sea on the
west and the Bay of Bengal on the right, giving rise to the triveni
sangam. The bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea met
here giving spectacular sunrise, sunset and moonrise. In April the
sun and the moon appear on the same horizon. Chaitrapurnima (April
full moon day) is one of the best times to experience the sunset and
the moonrise over the ocean simultaneously. Here the sun and the
moon adorn the sky on this particular day. And it was here where
swami Vivekananda found nirvana.
The memorial to swami Vivekananda, on a rocky promontory just over
400 mts. offshore, now dominates the view. This beautiful land seems
to be an answer to every prayer. Pilgrims come here to visit the
temple and bathe in the sacred waters. The beach sands are of
different colors, having been deposited from different directions.
Prominent on the beach are the black monazite and red garnet sands.
Places of attraction :-
Cape Comorin:
Cape Comorin is the unique point on earth where the sun and the moon
rise simultaneously during Chaitrapurnima (full moon day in april).
Kumari Amman Temple:
Kumari Amman Temple is the spot where Goddess Parvati waited for
Lord Shiva to come and ask her hand in marriage. According to legend
Devi (the goddess) single-handedly conquered demons and secured
freedom for the world. Here at Kanniyakumari pilgrims give her
thanks for the safety and liberty she attained for them. In May/June
there is a Car Festival where an idol of the deity is taken in
procession and in September/October the Navratri (Nine Nights)
Festival celebrates Devi’s victory over the demons. The temple is
open 4.30 to 11.45 am and 5.30 to 8.30 pm daily.
Gandhi (Memorial) Mandapam:
The striking memorial stands on the spot where people prayed for
peace in the urn where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were once kept.Every
year on his birth anniversary (2nd October) the sunrays fall on the
exact spot of the urn.
Vivekananda Memorial:
The Vivekananda memorial has been built on the Vivekananda used to
swim to the rock and meditate for hours together during his sojourn
at Kannyakumari in 1892 before setting out as one of India’s most
important religious crusaders.It is one of the two rocks cutting out
of the ocean and providing the visitors a view of the land’s end of
India.The mandapam built here in his memory in 1970 reflects
architectural styles from all over India. A statue of Swami
Vivekananda is installed. Ferry services are available to go to the
memorial from 7 am to 11am and from 2 pm to 5pm.
Guganathaswami Temple:
This temple built by Rajaraja Chola I is about 1000 years old. The
Shiva Lingam at the sanctum sanctorum of this temple is 1.4 mts.
High. It is near the railway station.
Government Museum:
The Government Museum is near the Transit Office Beach Rd. It
contains bronzes bronzes tribal articles woodcarvings and zoological
and botanical specimens. The Samythoppu temple car is also
exhibited. Visiting hours: 9.30 am to 5 pm.
Olakkay Aruvi (Waterfalls):
35 kms from Kannyakumari the waterfalls are surrounded by beautiful
sceneries. It is a picnic and trekking spot attracting good crowds.
Kumarak Koil:
It is 34kms.From Kanyakumari. It is on the Vellimalai hills is
Kalkutam taluk. The temple is on a 200 ft. high hillock. High amidst
paddy fields plantation and coconut groves. It is noted for its fine
sculptures. There is a separate sanctum for goddess Valli besides
the presiding deity Subramanya.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park:
This is a marine biosphere, running alongside coast of
Ramanathapuram and Tuthukudi (Tuticorin) District. The entire Gulf
of Mannar is full of coral reefs, Dugong, Turtles, Dolphins and
Balano-glossus. Kurasadai Island, off Mandapam boats of a vast
expanse of shallow waters. The presence of coral form. Dolphins
prove an attraction to the tourists. |
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