Kanyakumari Tour Information
Vattakottai
This 18th century circular fort overlooking the sea was built by the Dutch. It is 6km from Kanyamumari. It is a good picnic spot. One can enjoy a sea bath here, in calm surroundings.
Suhindrum
The stanumalaya temple at Suchindrum, 13km on the way to Nagercoil, is venerated by both the Vaishnavites and Saivites. The deity is a single lingam known as Sthanumalaya, representing the triple aspects of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
The temple is known for its 18ft high statue of hanuman, the musical pillars, tall gopurm and architectural beauty.
Sothavilai Beach
This beautiful beach is 12km from Kanyakumari on the west coast road, near Puthalam. It is one of the best natural beaches of this district.
Nagaraja Temple
This temple at Nagarcoil, 20km from Kanyakumari, is dedicated to the serpent god nagaraja. The Prasad distributed here is only sand, scoped out of the ground where the image of the deity is enshrined. The temple garden is famous for its Naga flower (couropita gynensis), a symbolic representation of Nagaraja.
St. Xavier’s Church, Kottar
This church at Kottar, a suburb of Nagarcoil, was constructed in memory of St. Xavier who once visited the coastal areas. The church was built in 1600 AD. In 1930 it was raised to the status of a cathedral. The annual festival is celebrated during November to December.
Padmanabhapuram Fort and Palace
The pomp and style of Travancore strikes rich in the minds of the visitor whenever one visits Padmanabhapuram fort and palace. Padamanabha puram was once the capital of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom. Many temples were built inside the fort among which Sri Neelakantaswamy temple, Sri Ramaswamy temple, Sri Subramaniaswamy temple and Saraswathi temple are important. Ramaswamy temple was built by Marthanda Varma in 1744 AD. Scenes from Ramayana are seen in beautiful wood carvings inside the temple.
The Padmanabhapuram palace is actually a palace complex, containing 14 palaces spread over an area of 6.5 acres. The palace is a unique feature of the ancient Kerala architectural skill. The building is always cool and quiet. Wood, latorite, burnt bricks, granite and lime were used for construction. A special combination of charcoal from burnt coconuts shells, lime, white part of eggs and various vegetable extracts were used for the shining black floors. Traditional oil lamps provide light. The place is enriched by wood carvings and murals of 17th and 18th century. There is a museum on the southwest corner of the palace where stone inscriptions, wooden and stone sculptures, weapons of the royal family are on display.
Tiruvattar
This Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Adikesava Perumal is situated 46km from Kanyakumari on the way to Trivandrum. The Lord here is seen in a reclining posture.
Thirparappu
Thirparaapu, a pavilion of beauty and sacredness, is situated 10km from Thiruvattar. River Kodayar makes its descent here and a temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeva is situated near the falls. Thirparappu is a good picnic spot.
Mathoor Thotti Paalam
The mathoor Bridgeis th tallest and longest bridge in Asia. Having a height of 115ft. Constructed across the river ‘:araliyaru’ the bridge carries water for irrigation from one side of the hill to other side of the hill. The length of the bridge is 384 meter and a height of 7 feet 6inches. The bridge is shouldered by 29 huge pillars. It is 6o km from Kanyakumair.
Kumaracoil
This Muruga temple is situated at the foot of Velimalai. The deity in standing posture is 6 feet tal. Hundred of devotes come here on Fridays and during festivals.
Keralapuram
The Vinayaka of Keralapuram, near Thuckalay, is a puzzle to everyone, as the deity changes its colour. It remains black for six months and white for the remaining six months.
Chithalal
It is a rock cut Jain temple. One has to walk about a kilometre from the foot of the hill to reach the temple.