NAGARAJA TEMPLE :
The Nagaraja temple is situated here. This town, named after the temple dedicated to Nagaraja, the King of Snakes (Serpent God) is the head quarters of Kanyakumari District.
The images of lord Siva and Ananatha Krishna are also enshrined here.
The Nagaraja is installed on the ground where it was origninally found and the sand is scooped out and given as ‘Prasadam’ to the devotees. The entrance of the temple is reminiscent of Chinese architecture of a Buddhist Vihar.
Dharshana Time:
4.30A.M to 12.30 P.M. & 4.30 P.M. to 8.30 P.M.
Phone No. 04652- 232420
ST. XAVIER’S CHURCH
This Temple is in Nagercoil. St.Xavier, an outstanding and dedicated priest, visited the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu from Goa. He visited Kottar, in Kanyakumari District which was and still is a commercial centre. While he was at Kottar, he averted the invasion of padages on the people of the Venad which was appreciated by the king. In recognition of Xavier’s services, the King allotted a land to him for constructing a Catholic Church at Kottar. The church was built in the year 1600A.D.
SUCHINDRUM TEMPLE (8Km From Nagercoil)
It is situated on the bank of ‘Palayar’ River, 8 km away from Nagercoil. It is a famous architectural temple in South India.
The Thunumalayan temple is the representation of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The Temple has beautiful Gopuram, Musical Pillars (Fully Granite) 18 feet sublime Hanuman etc. Simply, this temple is the collection of all the famous temples in Kanyakumari District. A 13 feet height, 21 ft length and 10 ft breadth ‘Nantheeswarar’ mad by shell powder is a famous sculpture here.
Dharshana Time:
4.00 A.M. to 11.45. A.M. & 5.00 P.M. to 8.00 P.M.
Phone : 04652 – 241421
MONDAICAUDU – BAHAVATHIAMMAN TEMPLE (20Km. From Nagercoil)
It is situated on the sea coast , north-east of Colachel minor port. This place is dedicated to Bahavathiamman. There are several interesting stories on the origin of this temple. It is believed that the sick are cured if they worship this Goddess. The Amman is in the form of an Ant Hill, which is about 12ft in height and is believed to be growing daily.
SOTTHAVILAI BEACH (8 Km From Nagercoil)
This beach is 8 km from Nagercoil. It is one of the best natural beaches of the District. Soft waves of shallow water with lovely sand dunes attract domestic tourists. It is one of the best beaches for holiday lovers. It is a fine picnic spot also. The Tourist can reach the beach through the newly laid west coast road which is a very beautiful drive along the Sea-coast.
SANGUTHURAI BEACH (10 K.M. From Nagercoil)
It is a very beautiful beach which is 10 K.M. from Nagercoil. The District administration has provided basic infrastructure facilities. Frequent bus service is available from Nagercoil and Kanyakumari.
MUTTOM BEACH (20 KMS From Nagercoil)
Muttom beach is a famous shooting spot for movies. The sea shore looks majestic because of huge beautiful rocks jetting out into the sea. The sea shore is having a rich heritage value for its ancient light house, which was originally built by the British in 1875. The sunset view point here is one of the best panoramic view points in the district.
MAATHOOR BRIDGE (40 Km From Nagercoil)
The Mathoor Bridge is the tallest and longest bridge in Asia, having a height of 115 ft. Constructed across the river ‘Paraliyaru, the Bridge carries water for irrigation from one side of the hill to the other side hill. The length of the bridge is 384mtrs and a width of 7 feet 6 inches. The bridge is shouldered by 29 huge pillars. It is 40 km from Nagercoil.
PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE (20 Km From Nagercoil)
The Padmanabhapuram Palace located about 20 k.m. from Nagercoil on the way to Thiruvananthapuram has the rare distinction of being one of the ancient monuments in South India.
This is an ancient palace of Travancore King Marthanda Varma’s (AD 1729-1758) time. Even today, after such a long passage of time this palace presents a Sight of architectural and engineering perfection. The Palace abunds in exquisite carving, frescoes, oil Paintings and ancient weapons. The Palace is situated at the very centre of the Padmanabhapuram fort with an area of 186 Acres admist Veli hills, dales and Rivers.
The interior is enriched by wood carvings and conspicuous murals.
Mantra saala (Council Chamber)
Manimalika (Clock Tower)
Uttupura (Dining Hall)
Thaai Kottaram (Mother Palace)
Upparika Malika (four Storied Building)
Anthapuram (Ladies Chamber)
Archelogical Museum are worth seeing.
Apart from these, there are so many temples inside the fort. This Palace continues to be under Kerala Government’s jurisdiction and is maintained by them.
Visting Time :
Time : 9.00 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Phone : 04651 – 250255
THIRPARAPPU WATER FALLS (45 Km From Nagercoil)
Thirparappu Water Falls is 45 Km from Nagercoil. Thirparappu means a pavilion of beauty and sacredness. The panoramic view of lord Mahadeva temple amidst green hills and the perennial River KODAYAR running in front of the shrine is really fascinating. A children’s swimming pool is also here.
KANYAKUMARI (19 K.M. From Nagercoil)
Kanyakumari is a popular tourist centre because of its prime geographic location of having the confluence of an ocean, a bay and a sea. ” The sun sets only to rise again” goes a Latin saying. A Fine time to visit is during Chitra Pourami full moon day in the month of April. Gaze at the moon sitting on the sands that are colored red, black and white in a unique mixture. Stay on the beach till the golden sun appears shyly over the horizon and soon blazes forth in brightness.
Known as the Alexandria of the East, Kanyakumari has been a cradle of civilization. The Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks contributed to the growth of temple culture and traditions in this part of the country.
KUMARI AMMAN TEMPLE
The 3000 year old temple at this place is dedicated to Virgin Goddess Kanyakumari, standing in eternal vigil protecting the country. It is surrounded by a stone wall and stands on the edge of the ocean. The idol of the Goddess is considered as one of the most beautiful in India.
It is believed that the nose ring of Devi Kanyakumari set with rubies is so bright that it could be seen from for at night. It is told that some ships sailing in the sea, istaking the brilliance of the rubies for the light from the light house, went off shore and got wrecked, hitting against the rocks near by. It is why the eastern door of the temple is always kept closed.
Dharshan Time
4.30 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.
4.00 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.
VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL
Swamy 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 was built in 1970 and is a blend of various architectural styles of India.
The memorial was constructed in 2081 working days with an average of about 650 men working under the supervision of Sri.S.K. Achari. The memorial consists of two main structures.
1. Viekananda Mandapam.
2. Sri. Pada Mandapam.
It is believed that ‘Sri pada Mandapam’ was blessed by the touch of the Holy Feet of Kanyakumari Devi.
FERRY SERVICE : 8.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m.
Fare Ferry : Rs.20.00
Entrance : Rs.10.00
THIRUVALLUVAR STATUE (133 Ft)
Poet – saint THIRUVALLUVAR is the author of the renowned Tamil work called THIRUKKURAL. There are 1330 verses in 133 chapters grouped under 3 different headings dealing with all walks of the right from one’s code of conduct in personal life the Modern Management Theories.
Thiruvalluvar was born in 30 B.C. He lived at Mylapore in Chennai. Thirukkural is translated in 60 languages worldwide.
The Government of Tamil Nadu had a vision to raise a statue of Thiruvalluvar at Kanyakumari, the Southern most tip of India at the confluence of the three seas befitting the status of this saint poet.
The height of the Statue is 95 Ft. and the pedestal supporting it is 38Ft. adding to a total of 133 Ft.
STATISTICAL DETAILS OF THE STATUE
Height of the Statue : 95 Ft
Height of the Pedestal : 38 Ft
Height of the Face : 10 Ft
Height of the body : 30 Ft
Height of the thigh : 30 Ft
Total Weight : 7000 Tonnes
FERRY SERVICE : 8.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m
ENTRANCE : FREE
GANDHI MANDAPAM
Gandhi Mandapam that adds beauty to Kanyakumari was constructed in 1956. Where on urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept for public to pay homage before immersion. Itscntral dome is 79 ft high representing the age of his death.
The monu- ment is built in such a way that the golden rays of the Sun fall exactly on the “PEEDAM” through a hole in the roof at noon on 2 nd October
VISITOR’S TIME : 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. ENTRANCE : FREE
KAMARAJAR MANI MANDAPAM
Kamarajar, the great leader and King Maker of India is a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu during the period of 1954 – 1962.
Kamarajar Mani Mandapam is located on the sea shore, constructed and opened by Tamil Nadu Government on 2 nd October 2000. A rare collection of photos of Kamarajar with National and International leaders is exhibited here
TIMING : 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. ENTRANCE : FREE
ST. MARY’S CHURCH (Church of Our Lady of Ransom )
The Church of the Virgin Mary is a lovely structure of graceful proportions, measuring a height of 153 feet, length of 153 feet and width of 53 feet representing the number of beads in the Rosary.
The central tower is crowned with a cross of pure gold. The church with its beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the beautiful Churches in India.
TIMINGS OF HOLY MASS
Week days : 6.15 a.m.
Sunday : 5.30 a.m., 7.00 a.m. & 4.00 p.m.
VIVEKANANDA PICTORIAL EXHIBITION
It is located in the Vivekananda Kendra campus to portray India’s cultura development from the earliest days to the present and the messages of Swamy Vivekananda. The exhibition is the only one of it’s kind. Many have been inspired by the exhibition as they remember that the same must have gone through Swamiji’s mind as he meditated over the past, present and the future of Bharath on the rock.
TIMINGS : 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
: 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m
ENTRANCE : Rs.2.00.
WANDERING MONK EXHIBITION
Located in the Kanyakumari Town, the Terra Cotta Design depicting Swamy Vevekananda’s Bharath Parikrama pictures with descrriptions in Tamil, english and Hindi is an education for oneself. Specially designed exhibits represent the highlights of Swamiji’s wandering through visuals and short pieces of narrative.
TIMINGS : 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon- 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
ENTRANCE : Rs.2.00/ head.