Kanyakumari, located at India’s southernmost tip and surrounded by three major water bodies, is among the most serene and beautiful places in Tamil Nadu. This amazing coastal town boasts a wonderful blend of history, culture, scenic beauty and modernisation; from forts and temples to beaches and museums, there is something for everyone.
Kanyakumari is well-connected to the rest of the country by air, rail or road. If you are arriving by air, Trivandrum International Airport (89 km away) is the nearest option, from where you can take a bus or taxi. Kanyakumari has its own railhead, and trains from many major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad stop here on a regular basis. The town also enjoys good road connectivity, with many buses plying from Coimbatore, Madurai, Pondicherry, and other major cities in the south.
Do you want to spend your holidays in this stunning coastal town? We have shortlisted some of the top places to visit in Kanyakumari that you should definitely add to your itinerary.
1. Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Situated on a small island, Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a top tourist place in Kanyakumari. Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment here after three days of meditation in 1892. It is also believed that Devi Kanya Kumari practised severe austerities on this rock.
The rock memorial’s prominent attractions are Vivekananda Mandapam and Shripada Mandapam. A massive Swamiji statue with the Indian Ocean in the background is a sight to behold! The spiritual vibes and serenity of the place, combined with mesmerising views of the surroundings, make Vivekananda Rock Memorial a major attraction in Kanyakumari.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
How to Reach: The place is 2 km away from Kanyakumari centre. You have to take a ferry from the coast to reach the island.
2. Thiruvalluvar Statue
This gigantic statue adjacent to Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular attraction among history lovers and architecture buffs. It is dedicated to Thiruvalluvar, a prominent Tamil poet and philosopher. The 133-foot-tall statue stands proudly on a 38-foot-tall pedestal and can be seen from afar. The pedestal’s height represents the 38 chapters of virtue in his literary masterpiece Tirukkual, while the statue’s height signifies the 133 chapters in the same book. The place holds great cultural significance and is a popular tourist destination in Kanyakumari.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
How to Reach: The statue is only 2 km away from Kanyakumari centre. It is on an island, you must take a short ferry ride to get there.
3. Our Lady of Ransom Church
This beautiful church dedicated to Mother Mary, located near the beach with lashing waves of the ocean behind it, is one of the best places to visit in Kanyakumari. The church has brilliant Gothic architecture, with eye-catching carvings on the walls and ceilings. The most intriguing aspect of the holy place is that it houses a saree-clad idol of Mother Mary, which is unusual in a church. If you go in the evening, you will be astounded by how beautiful the place looks when it is lit up.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
How to Reach: The church is about 2 km away from the bus stand and 3 km away from Kanyakumari centre. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are easily available for convenient transportation.
4. Tsunami Monument
This monument was built in memory of those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004. The 16-foot memorial, which features two hands, is located near the town’s southern shore. The left hand can be seen preventing a gigantic blue wave from blowing off the lamp on the right hand. This monument, which represents optimism and courage in the face of catastrophe, is, without doubt, a worth a visit in Kanyakumari!
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Ideal Duration: 30-45 minutes
How to Reach: The monument is 1 km away from the bus stand and 2 km away from Kanyakumari centre. So, you can hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi.
5. Mayapuri Wax Museum
An interesting replica of London’s Wax Museum, this popular attraction in the city of Kanyakumari is a tourist-puller. The museum houses many figures of famous national and international personalities from different walks of life, like Sir Abdul Kalam, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Charlie Chaplin and Michael Jackson. The museum, which exhibits the history and culture of India and other countries, is a prominent attraction in town.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
How to Reach: The museum is less than a km away from the bus stand, so you can take an auto-rickshaw to reach.
6. Bharat Mata Temple
Bharat Mata Temple, dedicated to Mother India, is a must-visit place in Kanyakumari. The temple is 12000 square feet in size and is known for housing a 12-foot tall statue of Swami Vivekananda, as well as many other statues and paintings depicting the concept of motherhood. The temple also includes a Ramayana Mandir, which depicts the tale of Valmiki’s Ramayana through beautifully carved statues and paintings on 108 wooden panels. The 27-foot-tall granite statue of Lord Hanuman at the entrance of Ramayana Mandir is a major draw.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Ideal Duration: 1 hour
How to Reach: You can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw from Kanyakumari Bus Stand (2 km away), Kanyakumari centre (3 km away), or any other place in the town.
7. Kanyakumari Beach
If you enjoy visiting beaches, Kanyakumari Beach will captivate you. The beach is a confluence of three major water bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. The beach is amazing because the water from these three water bodies does not mix, so you can see three different shades of water here. Although the beach is not suitable for water activities, you can spend some serene time here admiring the sunrise, sunset, and the waves splashing against the rocks.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
How to Reach: The beach is 2 km away from the bus stand and 3 km away from Kanyakumari centre. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are easily available.
8. Mathoor Hanging Bridge
Also known as Mathur Aqueduct and Mathoor Hanging Trough, this 1-km-long bridge is one of the continent’s longest and tallest bridges. The bridge’s pillars stand 115-feet tall, while the trough is about 7-feet high and 7.5-feet wide. Although the bridge was originally built across the Pahrali River for easy passage of irrigation water, it soon became a major tourist attraction. Apart from taking in the stunning views from the trough, you can also spend time in the children’s park and swim on one of the many swimming platforms.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
How to Reach: The bridge is 48 km away from the bus stand and Kanyakumari centre, so you can take a bus or taxi.
9. Triveni Sangam
Triveni Sangam, the meeting point of three major water bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean – is a popular religious destination. Visitors to the site, both devotees and tourists, take a dip or bathe in the holy waters. The place also offers magnificent views of the ocean and prominent attractions, such as Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue. The Triveni Sangam’s serene, natural beauty makes it a must-visit for those seeking peace and tranquillity.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Ideal Duration: 1 hour
How to Reach: The place is only 1 km away from the bus stand and 2 km away from Kanyakumari centre. You can take an auto-rickshaw or taxi to cover the distance.
10. Bhagavathy Amman Temple
This 3000-year-old shrine, also known as Devi Kanyakumari Temple, is one of the most religious and historically significant places to visit in Kanyakumari. The temple is one of 51 Shakti Peethas dedicated to Devi Kanyakumari Amman. This is thought to be one of the locations where some of Goddess Sati’s lifeless body fell when Lord Shiva carried her on his shoulders and performed the dance of destruction.
A beautiful idol of Devi Kanyakumari Amman with a rosary in her hand and sparkling gold jewellery in her nostrils can be found in the temple. Apart from the spiritual aura, the temple is also known for its impressive ancient architecture and enthralling scenic beauty.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Ideal Duration: 1 hour
How to Reach: Take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the temple from Kanyakumari centre (2 km away) or any other part of the town.
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