The land's end of India, where the three seas -- the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean --- merge to form the quiet idyllic spot of Cape Comorin or Kanyakumari. Legend gives it the name of Kanyakumari, meaning the Virgin Goddess, and dedicated to her is a temple washed by the restless seas.
The idol wears a diamond nosepin, as according to legend she waits for her divine groom. Kanyakumari, consort of Shiva, vowed to remain a virgin until Shiva came to deliver her from her penance. Since the temple is a living one, non-Hindus are not allowed within its precincts.The village of Kanya- kumari stands on a rocky height presenting a wide spectacle of the triangular land's tip, the rising and the setting sun and the far-off fishermen's dhows. And, a little offshore is the beautiful Rock Memorial to Swami Vivekananda, the philosopher-missionary. The seas are rather choppy but down the Gandhi Memorial (on the shore), is a rock-bound pool where visitors can indulge in risk-free sea-bathing. Shopping enthusiasts can buy Kanyakumari's famous vari-coloured sea sands, small curios made of sea-shells of all sorts, and palm leaf utility articles.
While its nearest airport is Trivandrum (86 km), Kanyakumari is a railway terminus on the Trivandrum-Kanyakumari section of the Southern Railway. Good road connections are also available to all important places in South India.
Kanyakumari Amman Temple, Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Memorial.
EXCURSIONS
Suchindram (13 km) - a 9th century temple, Padmanabhapuram (45 km) -- a fascinating old palace, Tiruchendur (99 km) -- one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya.