Kanyakumari is a place that is sure to fascinate every kind of tourist. No matter if you are devout pilgrim, a nature freak or a history aficionado or just want to have some fun under the sun- Kanyakumari’s ethereal charm is sure to leave you spellbound.
Padmanabhapuram: The magnificent Padmanabhapuram Palace is located about 15 km from Nagercoil and 37 km from Kanyakumari. This is one place which you can’t just miss
Kovalam: Tourists visiting Kanyakumari generally take a break for a day to visit Kovalam, 75 km away, one of the best beaches in India.
Suchindram: Suchindram just 14 km from Kanyakumari enjoys a special status for itself with its innumerable deities of the Hindu pantheon. More...
Tiruchendur: Tiruchendur just 89 km from Kanya Kumari is a much-venerated place for devotees of Lord Kartikeya(Murugan) as here is located one of the six Aarupadai shrines of Murugan.
Marunthuvazh Malai: Just 9 km away on the way to Nagercoil is Marunthuvazh Malai also known as Maruthuva Malai. At a height of 800 feet, there is a Shiva temple here.
Udaygiri Fort: Udaygiri Fort is located at Puliyoorkurichi, near the Padmanabhapuram Fort on the Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil National highway.
Bhagavathy Amman Temple: Bhagavathi Amman Temple dating back to 7th century BC is located at Mandaikadu is just 45 km from Kanyakumari.
Courtallam: Just 137 km from Cape Comorin is Courtallam or Kutralam better known as the "Spa of the south".More..
Colachel: Colachel is around 30 km away on the coastal road and is the site for a famous battle. More...
Vattaparai waterfalls: This is strictly for those who want to add a dash of adventure to their visit. This place is 15 km from Nagercoil and 35 km from Kanyakumari.
Thiruvattar: Thiruvattar, is located near about 49 km from Kanyakumari on National Highway 49 between Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram. The Sri Adikesavaperumal Temple located here is one of the 108 divyadesams of Lord Vishnu.
Thirparappu waterfall: Thirparappu waterfall is at a distance of 50 km from Kanyakumari and takes about 1.5 hours to reach.
Pechiparai Dam: Pechiparai Dam is situated in Pechiparai, about 75 km from Kanyakumari.
Tirunelveli: Just 85 Km from Kanyakumari is Tiruvenveli, beckoning the tourists with the number of attractions.
Thiruvithamcode: The St. Mary’s Church at Thiruvithamcode is around 37 km from Kanyakumari. It is said that St. Thomas one of the apostles of Jesus established this Church.
Nagaraja Temple: Sometimes visitors overlook this magnificent temple dedicated to the five-headed serpent God Nagaraja which is situated at Nagercoil just 19 km away.
Kumaracoil: Kumaracoil is famous for an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Muruaganand is just 34 km from Kanyakumari and near to old Padmanabhapuram palace.
St. Xaviers Church: St. Xavier’s Church is located in Kottar a suburb of Nagarcoil. Many miracles are attributed to this 15th century Church.
KMTR: Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is a welcome break from Kanyakumari for people with an adventurous streak.
Kiomoi Must Dos
Watch sunrise and sunset: Watching the sunrise and sunset is one of the most cherished activities at Kanyakumari. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration if we say that this activity has assumed almost a ritualistic proportion. If you are in a hotel your sleep would automatically break at around 5.30 am with the sounds of alarm clock all around. Bleary-eyed, you head for the sunrise point or take up a vantage position on the terrace of your hotel building. By 6 am the majestic sight of daybreak unfolds gradually. It is a lifetime experience to observe the image of the night sky metamorphosing bit by bit into various hues of colors. The effect is all the more appealing against the silhouette of fishing boats in the foreground. You can never forget the sun rising above the horizon from the Bay of Bengal. Sunsets are also equally spectacular. In the beach lining the Arabian Sea, it’s a pleasure to wait for the grand finale of the day to bid farewell to the huge red orb in the sky that goes down in a blaze of glory.
Sun and Moon Face to Face: If you happen to be on any Full moon day in the month of April. Then don’t miss out on the spectacular sight of the sun and moon face to face at the same horizon.
Watch the waves and Multicoloured Sand: The Sea at Cape Comorin is fairly rough. Select a proper position away from the crowds and watch the waves beating repeatedly against the rocks, subsiding for a moment, and then gathering its momentum for another attack. Another attraction is the long stretches of multicolored sands you will not find sands of many hues at any other place in India.
Visit the Tsunami affected places: This will not be mentioned in any tourist itinerary, but visiting the Tsunami affected places in Kanyakumari district and seeing the rehabilitation work can make you remember the trail of destruction left by Tsunami on a fateful day of December 2004.
Recharge your spiritual batteries: If you are in Kanyakumari then do not miss the opportunity of recharging your inner spirit. Doing meditation at the Hall at Vivekananda rock or participating at a yoga retreat camp organized by Vivekananda Kendra is bound to have a therapeutic effect on you. Or just gazing at the incessant waves is also bound to leave a soothing effect on you. Bapu had to say this about Capecomorin – “ I am writing this at the Cape in front of the sea where there waters meet and furnish a sight unequaled in the world. For this is no port of call for a vessel like the Goddess, the waters around are virgin. This place is eminently suited for contemplation. I wish I were to stay here forever”.
Visit Wildlife Sanctuaries: Generally, tourists are not aware that in close proximity to Kanyakumari lies KMTR( Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve).Lying in the evergreen Western Ghats, the site is recognized by UNESCO as one of the 25 important biospheres of the world.
Undertake Knowledge Tours: At Kanyakumari, you will be surprised that it is dotted with many places that do not fall into the regular itinerary of tourists, yet they are of immense value to knowledge seekers. Some of these are Murugan Kuntram a small hillock, the ruins of Kanyakumari-Kadukkarai fort, centuries-old ponds along with NH 47
Watching the Sea by night: If you do not stay overnight at Kanyakumari you will miss something that you will regret for over. It’s a great experience to watch the sea at night. To see the waves reacting to the pull of the moon is an experience of a lifetime.
Catch a glimpse of the Windmills on the way: This is one of the most charming sites that you would ever encounter. Could you imagine there are some 2000 windmills in and around the road that leads Tiruvenveli to Kanyakumari?
Ferry trips: It is a nice little excursion to take a ferry ride and cruise along the sea to the little island housing the Vivekananda memorial at a distance of about 400 m from the mainland.
Shop: Shopping can be fun at Kanniyakumari. Government emporiums like Co-optex (9 am to 8 am) near Gandhi Mantap, the Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium at Sannathi Road give good shopping options. Besides innumerable beachside stalls selling items like sea-shells, cotton saris, palm leaf items, wooden handicrafts, trinkets, etc are found all over Kanniyakumari. Do not forget to buy a pack of colored sea sand this is a specialty here.
Trekking: Kanyakumari is not all water. There are some hills and forests too. A trek to reach the top of Maruthnuval Malai 9 km north of Kanyakumari or a visit to Kalakkad or Pechipparai forests is an adventurous experience that cannot be missed.
Horse riding: If you are with children and happen to be in the Beach around sunset then this is one attraction you just can’t fend off. Like most of the Beaches, Kanyakyumari also offers a ride down the Beaches on Horseback.
