Thiruvalluvar Statue
Thiruvalluvar is the immortal poet of Tamil Nadu
and has given to the world Thirukkural. The memorial statue of Thiruvalluvar is
in Kanyakumari. The pedestal of the statue is of 38 feet height and the statue
over it is 95 feet tall with a grand total of 133 feet for the entire
sculpture. 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 could charioteer in ten directions. To help the tourists to
worship the holy feet of Thiruvalluvar 140 steps are constructed inside the
Mandapa. The pedestal with a height of 38 feet represents the 38 chapters in
the Book of Aram in Thirukural and the statue of 95 feet on the pedestal
represents the total chapters in Porul (70 chapters) and Inbam (25 Chapters).
Thus, the statue symbolically, and artistically signifies that the theme of
Porul and Inbam are based on Aram.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Vivekananda Rock Memorial is another place in Kanyakumari
which attracts large number of tourists. As its name implies, it is essentially
a sacred monument, built by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee to
commemorate the visit of Swamy Vivekananda to “Shripada Parai” during 24th,
25th and 26th December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment.
From very ancient times, the rock has been
regarded as sacred place. In Puranic tradition, it has been known as “Sripada
Parai: meaning the rock, that has been blessed by the touch of Shripada feet of
the Goddess.On the rock, is a projection similar in form to a human fort and a
little brownish in complexion, which has traditionally, been revered as a
symbol of Shripadam. Per legend, it was on this rock that Goddess Kanyakumari
did Tapas.
Vattakottai
Vattakottai, a granite fort six kilometres north-east of
Kanyakumari cape, forms the terminal of a line of ramparts known as the South
Tranvancore lines built by Marthanda Varma to serve as defence for Nanjil Nadu.
It is rectangular and covers an area of about three and a half acres. Walls 25
to 26 feet enclose the fort high, including the parapet, 29 feet thick at the
front, 18 feet at the corners and 6 feet at the rear. The portion running into
the area is the most strongly built under the orders of De Lannoy during
the reign of Mathandavarma (1729-58). About 1810 A.D. the British forces under
the command of St. Leger marched into Nanjilnad through the Aramboly pass and
demolished the defence lines. The small river by the side of the fort, and the
green vegetation all around add to the scenery of the fort and has now become a
holiday resort and picnic centre.
It is said that there is a subway or tunnel about four
feet width, supposed to connect the padmanabhapuram palace. Now the tunnel has
been closed. On the northern side of the fort is found a slop to being the
canon from the lower to the upper part of the parapet of the fort. There is
well of about 6’ diameter. The whole wall around the fort is repaired and fresh
mortar is being applied. Literary or epigraphical evidences are not in store to
know much about Vattakotai. However, from the evidence left by the fort itself,
it may be presumed that his fort was the military base to protect the Kumari
port which was a rich pearl harbor. Since the emblem of the Pandya Kings was
‘Fish’ and we find this emblem in some of the places of the fort, it can be
safely concluded that the Pandya Kings had control over this fort for some time.
Next to Vattakottai, we can see the traces of a
light house in Leepuram being called so after Colonel Lee who has destroyed
most of the Kadukkarai Kanyakumari Fort in 1806. This is a picnic spot; the sea
is calm and suitable for bathing.
Mahatma Gandhi Memorial
The beautiful Gandhi Memorial completed in 1956, is situated as a
memorial to the Father of the Nation. An urn of Mahatma Gandhi was kept here
for public to pay homage before immersion. Mahatma Gandhi visited
Kanyakumari twice in 1925 and 1937. Mahatma Gandhi visited Kanyakumari in
January 1937. In 1948 his ashes were immersed in the sea waters in Kanyakumari.
In commemoration of this event a beautiful monument has been constructed here.
Its central shape is 79 feet high representing the age of the Mahatma at the
time of the sun at Mid-day on 2nd October would fall on the peedam through a
hole in the roof. The memorial was transferred to the administrative control of
the Public (Information and Public Relations) Department from Public Works
Department of Government of Tamil Nadu in the year 1978.
Kamarajar Manimandapam
Another monument Kamarajar Manimandapam was raised and
dedicated to Late. Sri. Kamarajar, The freedom fighter, Former Chief minister
of Tamil Nadu, President of Indian National Congress. He was popularly known as
Black Gandhi among the masses and king maker during congress regime. This
monument was constructed where his ashes were kept here for public to pay
homage before immersion into the sea.
Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise can be seen in Kanyakumari throughout the year at Bay of Bengal.
Sunset can be seen from View Tower throughout the year except the months of
June, July, and August.
Guganathaswamy Temple
This is a 1000-year-old temple and is said to have been
built by the King Raja Raja Chola. The architectural style of the Cholas is quite
apparent in this temple. It is located near Railway Station. There are 16
inscriptions found in this temple that date back to the years 1038 A.D., 1044
A.D., 1045.A.D.
Suchindrum
Suchindrum is a small village about 12 km. from
Kanyakumari and about seven kilometres from Nagercoil. This holy place is
located on the bank of the river Pazhayar, adjoining fertile fields and coconut
groves and the temple is dedicated to Sri Sthanumalayan. The word denotes Siva,
Vishnu, and Brahma as. Sthanu represents Siva, Mal represents Vishnu while Ayan
represents Brahma i.e. Siva, Vishnu, and Brahma in “One Form”.
Suchindrum means the place where Indra attained ‘Suchi’
i.e., purification. The Sthalapurana has it that Indra suffered a curse from
sage Gowthama, when he stealthily cast amorous glances at Ahalya the wife of
Gowthama. Not able to suffer the mortification brought about by the curse.
Indra had to seek immediate redemption. He came to ‘Gnana Aranya’ as this place
was then called and offered worship to Lord Shiva. Relieving Indra of his
curse, Lord Shiva granted him of his wish that the place where he attained
purification should henceforth be called ‘Suchindrum’.
Another story goes to say that the Trimurthys i.e.
Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, cajoled by their divine consorts came down to the
earth to test the chastity of Anusuya, wife of sage Athri at Gnana Aranya. The
Gods for this misadventure had to suffer a surse form the Rishipatni and to
undergo the purification process, before they could be restored to their former
glory.
It is said that Thanumalaya Swamy temple is the
only shrine dedicated to the Trinity in India. The present structure of the
temple is the work of several persons spread over a number of centuries. It is
a complex of many beautiful structures constructed at various times and is one
of the best specimens and a store house of the Dravidian style of art and
architecture.
Kanyakumari Bagavathiamman Temple
Kanyakumari derives its name from from Goddess
Kanyakumari Amman, the presiding deity of the area. The most prominent temple,
the Kumari Amman, is dedicated to the goddess Parvathi as a virgin. The temple
situated at the edge of the ocean for Goddess Kanyakumari has the legendary
account that once Banusura, the demon king got supremacy over Devas and meted
out cruel punishment to them. The Devas performed a Yagna pleading to
annihilate the evils. Goddess Parasakthi came to Kumari in the form of a virgin
girl and began her penance. Meanwhile Lord Shiva fell in love with her and
arrangements for the marriage were made in the midnight a day. Now the Devine
sage Narada realised that their marriage would destroy the chances of
annihilating Banusura because a virgin could only kill him. When Lord Shiva was
on his way to Kanyakumari from Suchindrum at Valukkamparai 5 kms south of
Suchindram, Sage Narada assumed the form of a cock and crowed falsely heralding
the break of dawn. Thinking that the auspicious time for the marriage was past,
Lord Shiva returned disappointed. The Goddess too decided to remain virgin
after that. Then, when Banusura attempted to win the Goddess by force, she
killed him with her Chakragudha, and relieved the suffering s of Devas. Then
she resumed her penance and remained virgin.
Udayagiri Fort
The fort was rebuilt in the reign of Marthandavarma, the
Venad King, during 1741-44. Under the supervision of De Lannoy, the Belgian
General, who served as the Chief of the Travancore army; East India Company’s
troops were stationed there till the middle of the 19th century. Foundry for
the manufacture of guns, mortars and cannon balls were also established within
the fort under the supervision of the General.
In the early days, the fort was of strategic importance.
Prisoners captured in the campaign against Tippu were confined in this fort for
some time. It is further said that a brass gun 16 ft. long bored as a 22
ponder, found in the fort could not be removed even for a few yards by many
people, even with the help of 16 elephants.
A village has come up in front of the fort. The
people who live here, are mostly agriculturists. A few of them are engaged in
trade. Pottery making is the chief Industry among a section of the people. Now,
the District Administration, with the help of Forest Department has set up a
Biodiversity Park over here. Tourists can see deer, ducks, fountains, birds and
over 100 varieties of trees inside the fort.
Mathoor Hanging Bridge
The Mathoor Hanging Trough is the tallest as well as the
longest trough bridge in Asia, having a height of 115 feet and a length of one
kilometre. Constructed in 1966, this bridge has become a place of tourist
importance and hundreds of tourists visit this place. This is situated in
Mathoor, hamlet of Aruvikkarai revenue village in Thiruvattar Panchayat Union.
The bridge has been constructed at Mathoor across the
river Parazhiyar at a cost of Rs. 12.90/- lakhs and the trough canal
(Pattanamkal canal) on the bridge carries water for irrigation from one side of
a hill to the other side of a hill. The trough has a height of seven feet with
a width of seven feet six inches. 28 huge pillars are shouldering the canal. By
the unrelated efforts of late Thiru. K. Kamaraj, the former Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu, this canal was constructed as a drought relief measure and for the
development of agriculture in Vilavancode and Kalkulam Taluks. The District
Administration has recently put up a staircase from top to the bottom of the
bridge and built a children's park and bathing platforms over here.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
The ancient historical town Padmanabhapuram is one of the
four municipalities in the district is 55 Km. south of Trivandrum, about two
km. east of Thuckalay and 35 km. from Kanyakumari on the Trivandrum-Cape
Comerin road. This town is surrounded by a fort with an area of 187 acres. The
ancient capital of Travancore might be constructed before AD 1601. The palace
with an area of seven acres, is situated in the very center on the
Padmanabhapuram Fort, amidst hills, dales, and rivers. The palace which is
situated in Kanyakumari District is under the control of a Curator of the
Archaeological Department of Kerala Government.
The fort which was built with mud originally was
dismantled and reconstructed with granite by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. The
height of the walls varies from 15’ to 24’ per the inclination of the ground.
Pechiparai Dam
About 43 km. from Nagercoil this dam has been
constructed. This dam in Kalkulam Taluk, was built during the days of the
Maharaja Sri Moolam Thirunal across the river Kodayar. The construction of the
dam was designed on the pattern of the Periyar dam in the Madurai district. The
length of the dam is 425.1 mts. It has a catchment area of 204.8 sq.km. There
is a camp shed provided at the dam side for the visitors. The weather is very
pleasant and hence attracts many tourists.
The reservoir is surrounded by dense forests which are
famous for their valuable trees and rich would life such as tiger, elephants,
deer etc. A hill tribe, small known as ‘Kanikars’ dwell in the dense forests
around the lake.
Peer Mohammed Durha
There is a durha named ‘Peer Mohamed Oliyullah Durha’ at
Thuckalay named after the great philosopher Mohamed Appa, who was born in
Tenkasi of Tirunelveli District. After spending sometime in spiritual pursuits
in Peermedu of Kerala State he came and stayed at Thuckalay. Being a Tamil poet
of great eminence, he wrote many books on philosophy. He had intimate
relationship with the Kings of Chera dynasty. It is said that he laid
foundation stone for the Padmanabhapuram Granite Fort.
The Anniversary of the great philosopher poet is
celebrated every year on a grand scale on the full moon day in the month of
Rajap. Both the people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu attend the celebrations on
large numbers irrespective of their caste, creed, and religion.
Tirparappu Water Falls
The Kodayar makes its descend at Tirparappu and the water
fall at this place is about 13km. from Pechiparai dam.
The river bed is rocky and about 300 feet in length. The
water falls from a height of nearly 50 feet and the water flows for about seven
months in a year. The whole bed above the falls is one rocky mass which extends
up to about quarter of a kilometer upstream where the famous Thirparappu weir
has been constructed for supplying water to the paddy fields. On either side of
the river, on the left bank of the river in between the water falls and the
weir, there is a temple dedicated to Siva enclosed by strong fortification. The
District Administration has recently constructed a swimming pool for children
over here which is very popular among the children.
Maruthuva Malai
The Maruthuva Malai also known as the Marunthu Vazhum
Malai the abode of medicinal herbs, forms from part of the western ghats. Per
tradition, the Maruthuva Malai is a fragment of the Sanjeevi Mountain, a piece
of which fell down here, and it was carried by Hanuman from Mahendragiri to
Srilanka for healing the fatal wounds of Lakshmana, the brother of Rama, the
epic hero. It stretches for more than a km, reaching a height of 800 feet at
the highest point. It is about 11km. from Nagercoil.
Chitharal
Chitharal is a small village situated at 7 Kms., from
Marthandam and 45 Kms, from Kanyakumari. It is famous for the Rock-cut temple.
Hillock at Chitharal has a cave containing Rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras
and attendent deities carved inside and outside dating back to 9th Century A.D.
It was converted into Bagavathy Temple in the 13th Century A.D. Cars and Vans
can go upto the foot of the hill. One should walk for about 10 minutes to reach
the temple. The Jain images have been preserved Central Archeological Survey of
India.
Muttom Beach
The famous beach at Muttom is located about 16 kms from
Nagercoil and 32 kms from Kanyakumari. Muttom is famous for its beautiful
landscaping and high rocks dipping into the sea at the beach-side. The sun set
view point at Muttom is one of the most Panoramic view points in the district.
Another attraction of Muttom is the century old light-house built by the
British. However so far, this beautiful beach has always been unsafe for the
tourists since the rocks on which tourists go to see the sea view are slippery
and a number of fatal accidents have occurred over the past few years. The
district administration, decided to put protective stainless steel fencing
across the entire dangerous areas and also to put up small open huts at the
rock tops for the tourists to sit and watch the massive sea waves leisurely
with protection from sun and rain.
Sanguthurai Beach
Sanguthurai is a beautiful beach resort and is very
convenient for the local population of Nagercoil. It is only about 10 kms
from the city.
Chothavilai Beach
This beach is about 10 Kms from Kanyakumari, is
one of the best natural beaches of the district. The beach has shallow water
and High sand dunes on the back ground. The District Administration has through
its own funds and through the funds of MPLAD scheme, put up rest shelters,
kudils and a view tower over here for the benefit of tourists. The tourists can
reach the beach through the newly laid coastal road which is a very beautiful
drive along the sea-coast.
Ullakkai Aruvi
Ulakkai Aruvi is a natural waterfall situated in
Azhagiapandipuram village of Thovalai Taluk. Water is available in this water
fall in the summer season. Many tourists come here for bathing and to enjoy the
nature. The pathway to this waterfall lies in the Reserve Forest.
Mukkadal
This is a natural dam constructed by T. Chitirai
Maharaja. If supplies water to Nagercoil Municipality and it is also proposed
to get water from here for Suchindrum and Kanyakumari. It is very picturesque
spot and ideal for picnics by groups.
Sri Vaikuntam Temple
