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 Kanyakumari is located at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent.The Land that is located in the tip of the country, where the three seas get united is none other than cape comerin or Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari district, once known as "The Granary of Travancore" lies at the southwestern part of Indian peninsula. It was in Travancore for a long time and then merged with Tamil Nadu in 1956 under the State Linguistic Reorganisation Act. It is one of the important pilgrim centres of India. This is the only place in India where one can enjoy the unique experience of watching the sunset and moonrise simultaneously on a full moon evening. A fine beach landscape with sands of different colours is another interesting aspect of Kanyakumari. This place has been a great centre for art, culture, civilization and pilgrimage for years. It was also a famous centre for commerce and trade. During the early part of the 8th century A.D, Islam entered the southern part of India through the sea route with traders and Missionaries.
Transport and Communication :-
Air - Nearest airport – Thiruvananthapuram international International airport - 88 Kms.
Rail - There are two railway junctions, one is the Kanyakumari Junction and the other is the Nagarcoil Junction. Nearest railway station is Kanyakumari .
Road –The excellent road network links to Kanyakumari .
Around Kanyakumari :-
 Gandhi Memorial : his striking memorial has been built on the spot where the urn containing Mahatma's ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. In 1948 his ashes were immersed in the sea waters in Kanyakumari. In commemoration of this event a beautiful monument has been constructed here. It resembles an Orissan temple and was designed so that on Gandhiji’s birthday (2nd October), the suns rays fall on the place where his ashes were kept. Its central shape is 79 feet high representing the age of the Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi visited Kanyakumari twice in 1925 and 1937.
Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial : Swamay Vivekananda came to kanyakumari on 24.2.1892 before his departure for Chicago to participate in the World Religious Conference in 1893. He sat on meditation on this rock for two days and became a powerful spiritual leader and philosopher. Vivekananda Rock Memorial has been built in 1970 and is a blend of various architectural styles of India.Swami Vivekananda’s memorial is built in a small island like rock 200 meters from the shore. A very great building and other halls are constructed in this rock. Actually it is a turn rock where this memorial stands. There is a meditation hall where people who wants to meditate in a calm and composed atmosphere can perform their meditation inside it. Boat facilities are available for the tourists to visit this beautiful memorial spot.
Kumari Amman Temple :The 3000 year old Kumari Amman temple at this place is dedicated to Virgin Goddess Kanyakumari, who stands in eternal vigil protecting the country, is surrounded by a stone wall and stands on the edge of the ocean.Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva.Bhagavathy Amman Temple is located near where three oceans meet : the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The entrance to the temple is through the northern gate, while the eastern gate always remains closed except on some festival days, when deity is taken out for the ceremonial bath. The deity is facing the east.
 Thiruvalluvar Statue: Thiruvalluvar Statue is one of the major landmarks of Kanyakumari. The Tamilnadu Government has installed a statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar who gave us quintessential words of wisdom known as Thirukkural. The stone statue is 133 feet high including the pedestal. The 3 tier pedestal known as Atharapeedam is surrounded by an artistic Mandapa known as Alankara Mandapam with 38 feet height. Surrounding the Alankara Mandapa stand 10 elephant statues signifying 8 directions, with earth and space down. The father of Sri. Rama, the hero of Ramayana was called Dasaratha as he was able to charioteer in ten directions.
Suchindram : Suchindrum means the place where Indra attained ‘Suchi’ i.e., purification. Suchindrum is a small village about 13 km. from Kanyakumari and about 7 kilometres from Nagercoil. The Sthanumalaya temple at Suchindrum, 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. This holy place is located on the bank of the river Pazhayar, adjoining fertile fields and coconut groves.The art and architecture is of such arresting excellence that this ancient temple stands as one of the foremost and richest among the South Indian Shrines. Even from a distance the tower of the temple, framed by the coconut trees and the sky as a backdrop, makes a fascinating picture. The Gopuram is a marvel of construction, standing majestically 134 feet high. It is well proportioned and gradually tapers upwards.Suchindram is also a place where a major naval engagement took plce between the Dutch and the locals here.
Padmanabhapuram : The Padmanabhapuram Palace is one of the most magnificent monuments of Tamilnadu. It is situated in Kanyakumari district, 15 km from Nagercoil and 55 km South-West of Thiruvananthapuram. The Padmanabhapuram palace was the seat of power of the rulers of Travancore. The palace is known for its planning and military architecture and remained the center of power till 1790, when the capital was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram. The main attractions of the Padmanabhapuram Palace are its sheer aesthetic beauty, murals, innovative designs and time tested wooden carvings.The Council Chamber of the Padmanabhapuram palace is an example of excellence in wood and inspires awe. The floor, which is made up of a mixture of burnt coconut shells, laterite, lime and sand shines to this day. Martanda Verma built the King's quarters in 1744 A.D. It is also known as "Upparika malika". The courtyard, which leads to this building served as a parade ground for recruiting soldiers for the army. There are about 50 murals, depicting Lord Vishnu with his consorts and Lord Krishna with the Gopis, adorn the walls of the prayer hall. There are several paintings, depicting incidents in the life of Martanda Verma, displayed on the corridor leading to the guesthouse. Navarathra Mandapam, an imposing granite structure, is probably the most beautiful part of the Padmanabhapuram palace.
Nagercoil : Nagercoil derived its name from a famous old Jain temple called Naga Raja Temple (temple of the serpent king) which still exists in the central part of the town. Originally a Jain temple, it is now an important temple for the local Hindus and is also a tourist attraction.Foreign colonial powers, most notably the Dutch, tried colonizing the areas around Nagercoil and Colachel during the 18th century, but were subdued. The Dutch East India Company(also known as Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC), with a keen eye on the spices of Travancore, tried to establish a trading post at the then important port town of Colachel, near Nagercoil.
Tiruchendur: Tiruchendur is a small town in Tuticorin District, India, 45 km away from Tuticorin , 53 km from Tirunelveli and 116Km from kanyakumari. It is well-connected with Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Tuticorin by road. Tiruchendur is a popular pilgrim centre. Tiruchendur is the Aarupadai veedu shrines of Murugan, enshrining Senthilandavar. It has been venerated by the Tamil Sangam Period work Tirumurugatruppadai and by 83 Tiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar. It is one of the most visited shrines in Tamilnadu.The temple here is built on a rock close to the seashore - on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, which is a special significance. This is perhaps due to Lord Muruga's divine mission to vanquish the demon Surapadman and his mighty army who encamped in the mid ocean fortress off Veeramahendrapuram near Tiruchendur.The temple overlooking the singing sea is an inspiring sight.
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