Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
was once referred to as the "ALEXANDRIA OF THE
EAST".This place has been a great centre for
art,culture,civilization and pilgrimage for years. It was
also a famous centre for commerce and trade. During the early
part of the 8th century A.D,Islam entered the southern part
of India through the sea route with traders and Missionaries.Through
St.Thomas, Christianity arrived in this area in 52 A.D. Islam,
Christianity and Jainism religions have greatly contributed
to the Architectural wealth and literal heritage of this place.
Kanyakumari was also under the control of the Cholas, the
Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks who were the great rulers
of South India. The architectural beauty of the temples are
the beautiful work of these rulers.
Kanyakumari is highly overrated, with its trinket stalls,
a lousy beach and one of those places with megaphones at the
end of each street which, during festival times, rip your
eardrums apart between 4 pm and 10 pm.
Places
To See:
Kumari Amman Temple
Picturesquely situated overlooking the shore, this temple
and the nearby ghat attract pilgrims from all over India to
worship and to bathe. according to legend, Devi did penance
here to secure siva's hand in marriage. when she was unsuccessful,
she vowed to remain a virgin (kanya). The temple is open daily
from 4.30 to 11.45 am and from 5.30 to 8.30 pm, but non-Hindus
are not allowed into the inner sanctrum. Men must remove their
shirts, and everyone their shoes on entering the temple.
Gandhi
Memorial:
Next to the Kumari Amman Temple, this striking memorial stored
the Mahatma's ashes until they were immersed in the sea. It
resembles an Orissan temple and was designed so that on Gandhi's
birthday ( 2- October), the sun's rays fall on the place where
his ashes were kept. It's open daily from 7 am to 12.30 pm
and 3 to 7 pm.
Vivekananda
Memorial:
This memorial is on two rocky islands projecting from the
sea about 400 m offshore. The Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda
came here in 1892 and sat on the rock, meditating, before
setting out as one of India's most important religious crusaders.
The mandapam which stands here in his memory was built in
1970 and reflects architectural styles from all over India.
Suchindram
Temple
This temple, 13 km noth-west of Kanyakumari at suchindram,
is noted for its 'musical' columns and its impressive 3 m
tall statue of Hanuman, the monkey god.
Travel
Information:
Air:
Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram 80 km away.
Rail:
Kanyakumari is connected by rail with Chennai, New Delhi,
Tirunelvi and Thiruvananthapuram.
Road:
Kanyakumari is connected by road to all major cities of South
India.
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