Kanyakumari
Discover Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari or Kanniyakumari is a town on the southernmost tip of the mainland of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Cape Comorin. India is one of those privileged lands which have high mountains as well as oceans and sea shores. It also has its shores shared between three great seas - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The confluence of these three seas can be witnessed in Kanyakumari. This unique phenomenon has made this little town in the southernmost tip of mainland India a significant destination for religious or pleasure trips.
What to Experience in Kanyakumari
Taste of Kanyakumari...
The food in Kanyakumari is more of the classic South Indian style. It is mostly vegetarian, and maybe even some Tamil favourites including idlis, sambar, dosa, and related are available. Typical South Indian vegetarian food is available. In some cases, they may serve you the food on the traditional banana leaf. South Indian food is more of an acquired taste for some people from the Western part of the world. It is different but still good. Do not expect much as far as Western-style breakfast foods or western style foods. Meals available at Kanyakumari are of the classic South-Indian type with rotis (roasted unleavened flatbread, similar to Mexican-style wheat tortillas). North-Indian style meals are available in some Rajasthani/Punjabi-style restaurants. A one-time meal of a "thali" will cost around ₹70. There are other eating options where à la carte meal may cost more. Avoid bringing alcohol to the beach as this place is a pilgrim centre and it's considered taboo to booze. (That said, there are loads of discarded high-alcohol content liquor bottles all around various parts of the beach slightly away from the developed/tourist zone, so it's obviously not that unheard of!) Kanyakumari has a lot of tender coconut shops selling tender coconuts for ₹30. The orange variety of tender coconut, which is plentiful in this area and is priced the same, is worth trying as it's much tastier than the green-coloured one.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsVery well connected and served by rail to all major cities in India like Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Coimbatore. And from here starts the second longest train route of India, Kanyakumari to Dibrugarh and Katra Buses are frequently available from Nagercoil, the closest major transport hub. Long-distance buses are available from Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Bangalore etc. Most people travel around Kanyakumari using a hired vehicle. Auto-rickshaws (tuk tuks) are available, along with buses. Buses are about ₹15 from the station to the point, and ₹7.5 from the bus station to the point. If your train comes into Nagercoil, there are busses to Kanyakumari from right outside Nagercoil junction station starting at 5:20AM (ish) and meant to be on the half hour every hour. Although you just have to keep asking. The main attraction of Kanyakumari is the Vivekananda Rock and the Thiruvalluvar Statue....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Most people travel around Kanyakumari using a hired vehicle. Auto-rickshaws (tuk tuks) are available, along with buses. Buses are about ₹15 from the station to the point, and ₹7.5 from the bus station to the point. If your train comes into Nagercoil, there are busses to Kanyakumari from right outside Nagercoil junction station starting at 5:20AM (ish) and meant to be on the half hour every hour. Although you just have to keep asking. The main attraction of Kanyakumari is the Vivekananda Rock and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. If you can escape from the crowds, you can visit Vivekanandapuram (the only peaceful area in Kanyakumari) maintained by the Ramakrishna Mission. It has its own lodging and boarding arrangements. If you'd like to see the sunset or sunrise, it is recommended that you see it from the beach at Vivekanandapuram. It is not recommended that you visit Kanyakumari in December–January; the crowds are at its peak during these months.
Where to Stay
There are numerous hotels, residencies, etc., in and around Kanyakumari and therefore, staying over is not a problem. But there are agents, touts and brokers in every nook and corner looking for unsuspecting tourists. Eschew buying or booking rooms from them, as many a time you end up paying a lot more than the actual price. Vivekananda Kendra can be a good option for people looking for decent, yet cheap accommodation, but it's around 3 km from Kanyakumari. Prefer hotels near the beach especially if you want to watch the sunrise right out of your bed! Note that, you should quote this preference when booking the room or else, you'll always be given a room without a window opening out to the sea. Moreover, many times, these rooms are in great demand and you'll find yourself shelling out an extra ₹400-500 for such a room. Hotel Sea View, Hotel Sangam and a couple of other hotels offer such rooms and the rent is about ₹1100 for 12 hr.
Money & Budget
Tourists can buy a lot of interesting items -- straw hats, conches, sea shells, and cheap electronics. There are some small shops where one can get a customized conch with names or quotes inscribed. These items can serve as a memorable item for your trip. Electronics available at Kanyakumari are dead cheap but, since all of them are imported from China, their quality of them is always sub-par. It's always good to avoid the electronics shops and the associated hagglers. Hair bands and clips made of coconut shells are worth the money and you may have to ask the shopkeeper if one is not available at the display.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Kanyakumari
The magnificent Vivekananda Rock Memorial is located on a small island off Kanyakumari. It has the picturesque Indian Ocean in its backdrop and hence serves as a peaceful and serene destination for visitors from all across the globe. It is situated on one of the two adjacent rocks projecting out of the Lakshadweep Sea and comprises of the ‘Shripada Mandapam’ and the ‘Vivekananda Mandapam’. The ferry ride up to these rock islands is a thrilling journey and hence attracts a lot of nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.
Sunrise above the sea Kanyakumari Comorin cape. Kanyakumari Comorin cape Kerala India Sunrise above tse ocean
a lighthouse in the middle of the ocean
brown rock formation on sea during daytime
Kanyakumari thiruvalluvar statue. End point of India. Southern end of India, Tamilnadu. Along with the blue ocean and blue sky stands the 133 feet statue of thiruvalluvar.
Ocean coast with waves and rocks India Kerala
a body of water surrounded by a lush green hillside
a statue on an island
Kanyakumari Comorin cape Kerala India Sunrise above tse ocean
a group of people standing in front of a building
The magnificent Vivekananda Rock Memorial is located on a small island off Kanyakumari. It has the picturesque Indian Ocean in its backdrop and hence serves as a peaceful and serene destination for visitors from all across the globe. It is situated on one of the two adjacent rocks projecting out of the Lakshadweep Sea and comprises of the ‘Shripada Mandapam’ and the ‘Vivekananda Mandapam’. The ferry ride up to these rock islands is a thrilling journey and hence attracts a lot of nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.
Sunrise above the sea Kanyakumari Comorin cape. Kanyakumari Comorin cape Kerala India Sunrise above tse ocean
a lighthouse in the middle of the ocean