​Kanyakumari Beach

The southernmost coast of the Indian peninsula, Kanyakumari beach is one of the pristine tourist attractions in South India. Moreover, located at the confluence of Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal, this beaut beach is India’s land end, and thus, gives a resplendent feeling while visiting this place. The golden sand, azure water and serene ambiance altogether filled this alluring tourist attraction in Tamilnadu with the opulent exquisiteness.

There is a prescription for visitors to enter the sea because of turbulent tides which obviously not hamper the wanderers to visit this place. Despite the prohibition, tourists visit this place to savour the surreal views sunset and sunrise for which the beach is famous for. However, one can also come at any time of the day for relishing the prodigiously tempting sights of the fierce tides hitting the sturdy rocks at the shoreline.

Along with that, what makes this place a must-visit tourist destination in Tamilnadu are Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock constructed in the sea at the shoreline. Not just for nature lovers, this place is also sought-after destination for all the shutterbugs to unveil their photography skills.

Legend of Kanyakumari Beach

The folklore says that Goddess Kumari the young, virgin, and unmarried avatar of Goddess Parvati stood upon the last rock of the beach, now known as Vivekananda Rock, for a hard penance for Lord Shiva and to get him as her consort. But even after being successful, on the day of her wedding, the Lord stands her up because she has to kill a demon to ring true a prophecy made earlier.

She obliges, but furious and enraged at the humiliation; she vows to remain a 'kumari' for the rest of her life. Her wedding arrangements all turned into conches and seashells, and the remaining turmeric and vermillion were left behind to paint the sands of Kanyakumari in various shades.

Tourist Attractions at Kanyakumari Beach

1. Lighthouse: There is a lighthouse at the beach which will provide you with the most fantastic view of the vast expanses of salty water stretching to the horizon.

1. Kanyakumari Amman Temple: A temple for Devi Kanyakumari, corresponding to the legend of the coastal city and its beach, has been built dedicated to the young and fiery goddess. The deity is smaller than any usual South Indian idol, but its diamond nose ring is said to be so bright and radiant that distant ships often mistake it for a lighthouse's beam of light. The temple is open to the public from 4:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple premises.

1. Gandhi Mandapam: Gandhi Mandapam is a memorial built for the place where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were kept before a portion of it was immersed in the sea. The building is built in such a way that on the day of Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October), the sun's rays fall directly on the urn where the ashes were kept. The memorial is open from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM with free entry for tourists. One should not miss this tribute to the great man at the tip of the land of whom he is the Father.

1. Vivekananda Rock Memorial: A rock formation cut off from the mainland, around 500 meters away in the Indian Ocean is famous as the place where the great saint Swami Vivekananda set his foot in 1892 after traveling the entirety of the country on foot. The Vivekanand Rock Memorial is also famous as the place where Devi Kanyakumari practiced her penance for Lord Shiva standing on one foot.

1. Thiruvalluvar Statue: It is dedicated to the great Tamil poet, philosopher, and saint Thiruvalluvar. The statue is around 133 feet in height which signifies the 133 chapters in the epic piece of writing by the poet Thirukkural. The statue stands on Vivekananda Rock. Tourists can go up to the top of the statue and enjoy a breathtaking view of the surroundings, especially during sunset.