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Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India. It is the meeting point of three oceans - the
Ba of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides its importance as a pilgrim center, it is famous for its beautiful views of sunrise, sunset and moonrise over the waters.
Off shore are two huge rocks where Vivekananda, the disciple of Sri Ram Krishna Paramhansa once set in deep meditation for a long time before sailing to America. On one of the rock is the Vivekananda Rock Memorial with Swami's statue built in 1970.
How To Get There
Air
Nearest airport Trivandrum (80 Km) is directly connected with Bangalore, Bombay, Cochin, Delhi, Goa and Madras.
Rail
Kanyakumari is connected to Trivandrum, Delhi and Bombay by broad guage. Tirunelveli (80 Km) is the other nearest railway junction which can be reached by road via Nagaarcoil (19 Km).
Road
Connected by road to Trivandrum- 86 Km, Nagercoil- 19 Km, Tirunelveli- 91 Km, Tiruchendur via Ovari- 89 Km, Tuticorin (via Ovari- Tiruchendur)- 129 Km, Rameshwaram via Tuticorin- 300 Km, Courtallam (via Tiruncleveli- Tenkasi)- 130 Km, Madurai via Tirunelveli- 242 Km, Thekkady 358 Km, Kodaikanal via Madurai- 362 Km, Palani via Madurai- 370 Km, Ootacamund (via Madurai-Palanai-Coimbatore)- 576 Km, Cochin (via Quilon-Trivandrum)- 309 Km, Coimbatore (via Madurai-Dindugal)- 478 Km.
In and around
Kanyakumari Temple
Picturesquely located, overlooking the sea, it is dedicated to Parasakthi, the virgin goddesses.
Vivekananda Memorial
Is on a rocky island 200 m from the shoreline. There is a statue of Swami Vevekananda in the Mndapam and a ferry services take visitors to the island every half hour, the trip takes 5 min.
Gandhi Memorial
Where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were kept fro public viewing. The building architecture is such that on 2nd Oct, his Birthday, the sun's raise fall directly on the platform in the memorial.
Guganatha Swamy Temple
A 1000-year-old temple, it is said to have been built by Raja Raja Chola.
Udyagiri
Udyagiri 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 24th European prisoners taken by king Marthanda Varma in 1741 when he defeated the Dutch at Colachel.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Padmanabhapuram Palace 45 km - This was the capital of Travancore until 1798 AD. There is a palace inside the fort, which covers an area of 6 acres. On display in the palace are many antiquities, including the armory of the royal family.
Vattakottai
Vattakottai 6 km - This 18th century fort over looking the sea is a fine picnic spot. The sea is calm and suitable for bathing.
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