Best Place To Visit in Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari is an idyllic coastal town situated at India’s southernmost point and an internationally popular tourist destination.

Here are the top places to visit in Kanyakumari-

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is an island memorial at Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu state that stands near India’s southernmost tip.

Built to honour Swami Vivekananda, an influential Indian philosopher and spiritual leader widely credited with popularizing Vedanta and Yoga among Western audiences, this monument stands as an enduring tribute.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee created this memorial in 1970, standing on a small, rocky island located 500 meters off mainland India.

The memorial features two main structures, known as Vivekananda Mandapam and Shripada Mandapam.

The Vivekananda Mandapam is a meditation hall which houses a statue of Swami Vivekananda. Constructed with architectural details reminiscent of India’s ancient temples, this peaceful setting creates an ideal atmosphere for peaceful reflection and contemplation.

Shripada Mandapam is a shrine that holds what is believed to be imprinted from Goddess Shripada onto rocks on the island.

Every year, this memorial draws thousands of visitors and is considered one of the premier pilgrimage sites in India.

India’s unity can be seen here as well, with three seas meeting there: the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea – providing a gathering point of different cultures and traditions.

Kanyakumari Beach, also known as Cape Comorin Beach and located on India’s southernmost tip in Tamil Nadu state. This popular tourist spot stands out due to its breathtaking natural beauty and unique geographical setting between the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal – making this place truly remarkable and special to visit.

The beach is well known for its breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, where one can witness the sun rise out of the sea before setting on the same horizon. Additionally, its clean waters make this beach ideal for swimming, surfing and sunbathing as well as boating, jet skiing and parasailing activities that visitors can enjoy during their stay.

Kanyakumari Beach’s Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which stands on a small island off-coast, is one of its major draws. This monument honours the great Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda who is said to have found enlightenment here. Tourists can take a ferry ride out there and explore this memorial site.

Thiruvalluvar Statue is another must-see attraction nearby the beach and one of India’s tallest statues; located on an adjacent island and accessible via ferry ride, it makes a must-visit destination near the shoreline.

Kanyakumari Beach is an idyllic and enjoyable destination, boasting stunning views, serene surroundings, and cultural significance.

Thiruvalluvar Statue

This landmark and tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu, India stands 133 feet (40.6 meters). Is one of India’s tallest statues, weighing over 7,000 tons.

This statue honours Thiruvalluvar, an esteemed Tamil poet and philosopher best known for his “Thirukkural,” a collection of 1,330 couplets that provide guidance and wisdom in various areas of life. Revered by Tamil Nadu residents as one of the great scholars ever seen before him.

The statue stands on a small island off Kanyakumari and can be reached via ferry ride. Constructed using over 2,000 blocks of granite weighing approximately 2-3 tons each, its completion and unveiling were celebrated by M. Karunanidhi as then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The Thiruvalluvar Statue depicts him standing atop a pedestal, one hand holding up “Thirukkural” while raising up another in blessing. Surrounding him are 10 elephant statues representing its 10 chapters.

Visitors can climb to the pedestal of the statue and gain an amazing panoramic view of both ocean and landscape, which serves as a fitting tribute to Thiruvalluvar as a great Tamil poet and philosopher and also symbolizes Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage.

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace is an ancient palace situated in Padmanabhapuram town in Kerala state of India and built during the 16th century by rulers of Travancore kingdom as their capital up until the 18th century. This landmark represents traditional Kerala architecture and serves as an attractive tourist attraction.

The Palace Complex covers approximately 6 acres and is enclosed by a moat. Constructed entirely out of teakwood buildings with intricate carvings and designs, its structures feature intricate carvings. Divided into several sections – such as King’s Chamber, Queen’s Chamber, Council Chamber Dance Hall and Treasury.

One of the main attractions of this palace is its 17th-century mural paintings that depict scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana and other mythological stories. Visitors can also witness an array of antique items – weapons, brass lamps and wooden chests used by the royal family – on display.

Mantrasala

One of the palace’s signature features boasts a distinctive floor comprised of egg white, lime juice, burnt coconut husks, charcoal and river sand – this unique composition is believed to contain medicinal properties that could treat ailments like asthma and rheumatism.

Apart from its palace, the complex also contains a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu which is famed for its intricate carvings and is amongst Kerala’s oldest Vishnu temples.

Overall, Padmanabhapuram Palace should be visited by anyone interested in history, architecture and art. The well-preserved palace offers visitors an insight into Kerala’s rich cultural history.

Gandhi Memorial

The Gandhi Memorial (or Mahatma Gandhi Memorial), located in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, India, is an iconic landmark dedicated to one of India’s most revered leaders – Mahatma Gandhi – who is held as a revered leader throughout Indian history.

The Gandhi Memorial stands on the site where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were displayed for public viewing before they were finally interred in the sea. Designed by world-renowned architect Charles Correa and opened to the public in 1956, it stands in an elegant circular design symbolic of Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolence philosophy.

The memorial features a central dome made from white marble and pink granite and is surrounded by several pillars. Inside is also housed an iconic statue of Mahatma Gandhi from the Dandi Salt March site in Gujarat.

The Gandhi Memorial also houses a museum which displays rare photos, paintings and artefacts related to Mahatma Gandhi and his life and work. This provides visitors with a better understanding of his philosophy of nonviolence as well as the contributions he made towards India’s freedom struggle.

The memorial is set amidst lush gardens that provide a peaceful space for visitors to relax and reflect, located along the Bay of Bengal shoreline with gorgeous views of both its waters and its surroundings.

The Gandhi Memorial is an essential destination for anyone interested in Mahatma Gandhi and India’s rich cultural history and heritage.

Our Lady of Ransom Church

Also known as Vallarpadam Church in Kochi, Kerala, India, is an iconic Roman Catholic Church on Vallarpadam Island that is dedicated to Mary; her title being Our Lady of Ransom or Vallarpadath Amma among local Christians.

This church was originally constructed during the 16th century by Portuguese colonizers – among the first European colonizers in India. While its initial structure was initially just a chapel, over time it has been expanded and renovated numerous times; eventually becoming its current splendid state with a white facade and twin bell towers.

One of the highlights of the church is the Our Lady of Ransom statue, believed to have been brought over from Portugal by Portuguese missionaries. Adorned with gold and precious stones, it is considered one of the most revered Christian artefacts in Kerala.

Notable among its many features of note is Our Lady of Ransom Church’s annual feast, celebrated annually on September 24th and attended by thousands of devotees from across Kerala. This annual festival draws hundreds of people who come out for its grand procession, traditional music and dance performances, and fireworks display – not forgetting an extravagant display!

Church is an important pilgrimage site for Christians in Kerala who believe Our Lady of Ransom can intercede on behalf of those in need. Offering an atmosphere conducive to prayer, reflection and solace.

Overall, Our Lady of Ransom Church should be on every Christian enthusiast’s itinerary in India. Not only is the building itself an architectural gem from Portugal’s legacy in India; but its symbolism stands as a testament to enduring faith and devotion among local Christians.

Wax Museums

Wax museums are popular tourist attractions that feature life-sized wax replicas of famous people, historical figures, and cultural icons. Visitors can get up close and personal with these figures, take photos with them, learn about who they represent and learn more about who these figures represent.

Wax museums have been popular since their establishment in Europe during the 18th century. Madame Tussauds, one of the world’s best-known wax museums, first opened its doors in London in 1835 and has since expanded worldwide.

India’s first wax museum, known as the Baywatch Wax Museum in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, opened for business. This museum houses over 30 wax figures depicting important figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson and Barack Obama – to name just a few!

The museum provides visitors with an engaging and immersive experience, where they can pose with wax figures while learning more about the people represented through informative displays and multimedia exhibits. They can also take guided tours through the museum while seeing live demonstrations of how wax figures are created.

Apart from the Baywatch Wax Museum, India features other wax museums including the Celebrity Wax Museum in Lonavala, Maharashtra and the Museum of Kerala History in Kochi, Kerala. Each has its own collection of wax figures depicting a range of individuals both domestically and abroad.

Overall, wax museums provide an engaging and entertaining way to learn more about famous people and cultural icons. Visitors of all ages are sure to have an unforgettable experience at these venues.