Kanyakumari

Thirparappu Falls, an artificial waterfall, is one of the best places to visit in Kanyakumari. Descending from a height of almost 50 feet, the spectacular falls mystifies the environment with its gushing waters. It is essentially a mix of multiple streams of water flowing from the top to form a majestic water pool at the bottom. A small temple of Lord Shiva marks the entrance towards the Falls.The lush greenery and exotic fauna encompassing the Falls is a favourite place for photographers. You can capture stunning views of the snowy white falls showering down from the heights. It is a perfect spot to spend a weekend or enjoy a picnic with family and friends.There are paddle boats available on rent for boating in the vicinity of the Falls. You can also dip into a swimming pool near the falls and refresh yourselves. Last but not least it is also one of the perfect places to visit in Kanyakumari at night. There are pubs and clubs nearby for spending an evening full of fun and entertainment.Location: The waterfalls are located in the district of Kanyakumari, about 55 km drive from the main city center.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built as a mark of respect to the legendary Swami Vivekananda in 1970. It is one of the major places to visit in Kanyakumari. Swamiji attained enlightenment at this place while sitting on a rock and meditating. The Memorial is a major tourist destination with its majestic statue of Swami Vivekananda at the backdrop of the mighty Indian Ocean.The Memorial is present on “Shripada Mandapam” and “Vivekananda Mandapam”, two adjacent rocks protruding out of the Lakshadweep Sea. Tourists avail a ferry ride from the coast towards the islands to witness the exotic views and spend a serene and tranquil time at the Memorial.There is a museum and study hall at Shripada Mandapam where you can learn about Vivekananda’s life and works. A meditation hall called “Dhyana Mandapam” is located beside the Memorial for the visitors to meditate and seek peace and purity.Location: The Memorial is situated at Vavathurai, a small island located on the ocean waters a few distances away from the coast.Entry Fee: The entry fee of the Memorial is INR 10 per person. There are extra charges required for cameras, still ones being INR 10 and video at INR 50.Timings: The Memorial is open every day starting from 7:00 AM till 5:00 PM.

Thanumalayan or Sthanumalayan is a Hindu temple dedicated to the three Gods Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The temple is one of the prominent religious places to see in Kanyakumari. The inscriptions on the walls and pillars of the temple date belong to those of the 9th century. The main attraction of the temple is the musical pillars, which portray the architectural marvel of the artisans. There are 4 pillars each of height 18 feet, and are made out of single granite stone. They could be found at the Alankara Mandapam, filling the air with its melodious tune at the strike of a thumb.There are about 30 shrines in the temple. The deities Sri Sthanu, Mal and Aya represent Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma respectively. A white 134 feet seven storeyed Gopuram adorns the temple with its fine sculptures and images of the deities.Other attractions in the temple are the massive 22 feet statue of Lord Hanuman and a huge idol of Nandi. There is also a dancing hall present inside the temple, with a splendid structure encompassed by numerous artistic pillars.Location: The temple is situated at N Car Street of Vivekananda Junction in Suchindram.Timings: The temple remains open for devotees all days of the week in the morning from 4:30 AM till 11:30 AM and in the evening from 5 PM till 8:30 PM.

The statue was constructed from 1990 till 1999 to honour the imminent Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. He is phenomenal in the world of literature for his exemplary works on Tirukkural, a Tamil literary creation. The statue was designed and created by a famous sculptor Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati and was opened to the public on 1st January 2000.It is one of the prominent places to visit in Kanyakumari. The 133 feet height and 7000 tons heavy gigantic statue are placed on a 38 foot three-tiered pedestal. The pedestal depicts the 38 virtues of the preachings of Thiruvalluvar. It is surrounded by the Alankara Mandapam which is encircled further by 10 elephant statues.If you closely observe the statue, you will notice that the 3 fingers of Thiruvalluvar point to the sky. The gesture is significant in representing Aram, Porul, and Inbam – the three stanzas of his literary creation, Thirukkural. The Statue is present next to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and is accessible by the ferry services from the coast.Location: The statue is located near Vivekananda Puram in Kanyakumari.Entry Fee: There is no entry fee but you need to avail the ferry charges which is INR 20 per person.Timings: The statue is open to the public Monday to Sunday from 8:00 AM till 4:00 PM

Bhagavathy Amman Temple is a 3000 years old temple dedicated to the Goddess Kanyakumari Amman. The temple is significant in hosting the ancient scriptures of the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata and the religious Vedas. It is considered as one of the auspicious places to visit in Kanyakumari.The idol of the Goddess inside the temple is remarkable. She holds a rosary in her hand and wears gold jewellery in her nostrils which radiates at the spark of light. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Parasuraman is believed to have blessed the temple as sacred or holy.Swami Vivekananda had specially visited the temple to seek the blessings of the Goddess as instructed by his guru the legendary Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The temple is also believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peetham where the parts of the Goddess Sati fell while her corpse was being carried by a grieving Lord Shiva. Inside the temple, there is a hall called Navarathri Mandapam where devotees engage in musical performances dedicated to the Goddess.Location: The temple is located on the seashores of Kanyakumari known as Cape Kanyakumari.Timings: The temple is open for devotees every day of the week in the morning from 6:00 AM till 11:00 AM and in the evening from 4:00 PM till 8:00 PM.

Built of wood in the 16th century, Padmanabhapuram Palace is an architectural masterpiece. The palace was constructed by Ravipillai Perumal of the Travancore dynasty and served as the official seat of the Travancore Kings. The name of the palace is derived from the lotus “Padma” which emerged out of Lord Vishnu’s navel.The palace is considered as one of the best historical places to see in Kanyakumari. The palace has many intricate carvings of wood from teak and rosewood. Earthen lamps and urns, ancient murals, intricate sculptures on the walls, ornate Belgian mirrors, musical bows, and unique painted ceilings enhance the historical significance and marvel of the palace.The Durbar Hall is one of the key attractions inside the palace with its black shining floor and artistic carvings on the walls. The other places of interest inside the palace are the open air shower rooms, exotic paintings of Lord Krishna, brass lanterns and a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.Location: The palace is situated at Thuckalay, near Kanyakumari.Entry Fee: The entry fee is INR 10 for adults and INR 2 for children. There are separate charges for a still camera which is INR 25 and a video camera is INR 1200.Timings: The palace is open on all days except Monday, the timings being 9:00 AM till 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM till 4:30 PM.

Kanyakumari Beach or Cape Comorin Beach is one of the mesmerizing places to visit in Kanyakumari. Situated at the southernmost part of the Indian peninsula at the confluence of the three major water bodies, the pristine beach is a traveler's paradise. The golden sand beach at the banks of the glittering sea waters allures tourists from all across the world.You will be amazed to watch the three distinct colours of the waters from the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea intermingling with each other. It is also one of the exciting places to visit in Kanyakumari at night. The excitement is attributed to the spectacular sunset that can be witnessed at the backdrop of the majestic sea waters.The reflection of the sun rays shimmering on the crystal waters is a treat to the eyes. The sunrise is equally fabulous to watch as the sun rays cast a magical spell around. For a much better view, you can climb atop the lighthouse present at the beach.Location: The beach is located at Kanyakumari.Timings: The beach is open for visitors every day of the week from 9:00 AM till 6:00 PM.

The wax museum at Kanyakumari is one of the best historical places to visit in Kanyakumari. It is considered as the first wax historical center in India. The museum was opened to the public in December 2005. Wax figures of many imminent national and international personalities resembling the history and culture of India and the world are present at the museum.The prominent figures which you can observe in the museum are our Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, famous Bollywood personality Amitabh Bachchan, Indira Gandhi, the power man Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan and many more. The wax statues are made following the ideologies of London’s famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.Location: The museum is located at Main Road near the Kanyakumari railway station.Entry Fee: The entry fees are INR 50 for adults and INR 40 for children.Timings: The wax museum is open every day of the week from 8:00 AM till 6:30 PM.