Kanniyakumari

Understand

thumb|Tiruvalluvar monument, Kanyakumari

India is one of those privileged lands which have high mountains as well as oceans and sea shores. It also has its shores shared between three great seas - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The confluence of these three seas can be witnessed in Kanyakumari. This unique phenomenon has made this little town in the southernmost tip of mainland India a significant destination for religious or pleasure trips.

The fame of Kanyakumari attracts prominent people such as Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. It's not by coincidence that there are memorials named after these two figures. Moreover, Kanyakumari is one of the few places in the world where one can witness both the sunset and sunrise at the same beach due to its geography.

The oldest and the most ancient landmark in this town is the temple of Goddess Kumari who prayed to Lord Shiva to be accepted as wife by him. The name of this place was given after the name of the Goddess. During the British Raj, it was also known as "Cape Comorin", probably a British spoilt version of 'Kumari', meaning virgin. The town is so small that an enthusiastic tourist can walk across the town. For less walking enthusiasts, buses are available and the fares are very low. The auto rickshaws fares are also very reasonable. In short, travelling in and around Kanyakumari is not expensive.

Get around

alt=Vivekanand Rock Memorial|thumb|Vivekananda Rock Memorial Most people travel around Kanyakumari using a hired vehicle. Auto-rickshaws (tuk tuks) are available, along with buses. Buses are about ₹15 from the station to the point, and ₹7.5 from the bus station to the point.

If your train comes into Nagercoil, there are busses to Kanyakumari from right outside Nagercoil junction station starting at 5:20AM (ish) and meant to be on the half hour every hour. Although you just have to keep asking.

See

The main attraction of Kanyakumari is the Vivekananda Rock and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. If you can escape from the crowds, you can visit Vivekanandapuram (the only peaceful area in Kanyakumari) maintained by the Ramakrishna Mission. It has its own lodging and boarding arrangements. If you'd like to see the sunset or sunrise, it is recommended that you see it from the beach at Vivekanandapuram. It is not recommended that you visit Kanyakumari in December–January; the crowds are at its peak during these months.

The temple of Goddess Kumari is rather small by South Indian standards, but comes with the usual ingredients of Pujaris (Hindu Priests), Poojas, Kumkums, and Prasad (sweet offerings made to the Gods). All men are supposed to enter the temple with bare torsos as it deemed to be a mark of respect to the Devi. You should be careful about the touts in the temple.

Do

thumb|Sunrise from the beach road Vivekananda Rock memorial has a special meditation room which is absolutely quiet. One could meditate there. People also wet their feet on the shores of the ocean before entering the temple as the waters considered sacred. Bathing is banned in many parts of the beach (though you may find some people bathing) due to a number of tourists dying each year from the powerful ocean waves. For bathing in the sea, consider Vattakotta (meaning: Round fort) beach, situated about 6 km from Kanyakumari. Naked bathing or bathing with bikinis are a taboo not only in Kanyakumari but also in nearly all beaches in India. Beaches in Goa and Pondicherry, are a bit different, as a majority of people visiting there are foreigners.

Buy

Tourists can buy a lot of interesting items -- straw hats, conches, sea shells, and cheap electronics. There are some small shops where one can get a customized conch with names or quotes inscribed. These items can serve as a memorable item for your trip. Electronics available at Kanyakumari are dead cheap but, since all of them are imported from China, their quality of them is always sub-par. It's always good to avoid the electronics shops and the associated hagglers. Hair bands and clips made of coconut shells are worth the money and you may have to ask the shopkeeper if one is not available at the display. Starfish shells (for decorating your indoors), sea shells of various sizes, kaleidoscopes, and colourful sand packets (not artificially coloured), collected from different parts of the beach, and used especially for decorating your indoor showcases, are also available. The cost of the majority of these commodities starts from ₹20 and upwards. There are some antique shops too unlike handicrafts these original antiques give you pleasant surprises. Antiques like kavadi, paintings and South Indian lamps are worth the money.

Eat

The food in Kanyakumari is more of the classic South Indian style. It is mostly vegetarian, and maybe even some Tamil favourites including idlis, sambar, dosa, and related are available. Typical South Indian vegetarian food is available. In some cases, they may serve you the food on the traditional banana leaf. South Indian food is more of an acquired taste for some people from the Western part of the world. It is different but still good. Do not expect much as far as Western-style breakfast foods or western style foods.

Meals available at Kanyakumari are of the classic South-Indian type with rotis (roasted unleavened flatbread, similar to Mexican-style wheat tortillas).

North-Indian style meals are available in some Rajasthani/Punjabi-style restaurants. A one-time meal of a "thali" will cost around ₹70. There are other eating options where à la carte meal may cost more.

Sleep

There are numerous hotels, residencies, etc., in and around Kanyakumari and therefore, staying over is not a problem. But there are agents, touts and brokers in every nook and corner looking for unsuspecting tourists. Eschew buying or booking rooms from them, as many a time you end up paying a lot more than the actual price. Vivekananda Kendra can be a good option for people looking for decent, yet cheap accommodation, but it's around 3 km from Kanyakumari. Prefer hotels near the beach especially if you want to watch the sunrise right out of your bed! Note that, you should quote this preference when booking the room or else, you'll always be given a room without a window opening out to the sea. Moreover, many times, these rooms are in great demand and you'll find yourself shelling out an extra ₹400-500 for such a room. Hotel Sea View, Hotel Sangam and a couple of other hotels offer such rooms and the rent is about ₹1100 for 12 hr. Many rooms are priced for 12 hr and not per day, especially during the peak season.

Go next

Suchindram - A noted pilgrim centre in the south, hosting the famous Sivathanumalaya temple. Swamithoppe - The religious headquarters of Ayyavazhi and the most important pilgrim centre of Ayyavazhis. Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) — The capital city of Kerala is 85 km from Kanyakumari.