Referred to by the British as Cape Commorin, Kanyakumari in the state of Tamil Nadu is located at the southern most tip of the peninsular Indian. The small temple dedicated to Kanyakumari, or the youthful form of the primeval energy Shakti (Mother Goddess) is located on the seashore, in the town known by the same name. Kanyakumari is the point of confluence of three oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. This well-known Hindu pilgrimage center, is famous for its beautiful sights of sunrise and sunset over the waters.

Kanyakumari is a town and a cape at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula. It is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. During British rule, it was known as Cape Comorin. The closest major city is Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.

Kanyakumari was once referred to as the Alexandria of the east. It has been a great centre for art and religion for centuries. It was also an area of heavy commerce and trade.

According to local myth, Lord Hanuman dropped a piece of earth as he was carrying land to Sri Lanka. This chunk of earth is called Marunthuvazh Malai, which is literally translated to "medicine-residing hills". This is said to be the reason for the abundance of unique native plants in the area. The district is home to many practitioners of various branches of ancient India's health tradition, including siddha, ayurvedha, varma kalai.

Christianity arrived in this area around AD 52 through St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ. Islam is believed to have entered the southern part of India through Kanyakumari during the early part of the eighth century AD through the sea route with traders and missionaries. Islam, Christianity and Jainism have also contributed to the architectural wealth and literary heritage of the region.

Kanyakumari was ruled by the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks. The architectural beauty of the temples is the work of these rulers. During the British Raj, Kanyakumari was named Cape Camorin, necessitated perhaps by the inability of the English to pronounce local names.

Lord Shiva and Parvati appear in local lore. Kanya Devi, an avatar of Parvati, was to marry Shiva, but he failed to show up to the wedding. The rice and other grains meant for the wedding remained uncooked. Today tourists can buy tiny stones which look like rice, in remembrance of the marriage that was never solemnized. The princess Kanya Devi is a virgin goddess who blesses pilgrims and tourists.

Kanyakumari lies at the meeting point of three bodies of water: the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. It is situated in 8° 4′ 41″ N, 77° 32′ 28″ E, and is the terminating point of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. On the north and the east, it is bounded by the Tirunelveli District. On the west and northwest it is bounded by Kerala. It is suggested that there once existed a continent called Kumari Kandam to the south of Kanyakumari, often compared with Lemuria.

Kumari Amman

Located on the shore, the Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple is dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess who did penance to obtain Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. The temple and the ghat, beautifully situated overlooking the shore, draws tourist from all over the world. The diamond nose-ring of the deity is famous for its sparkling splendour.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Erected in 1970, this memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer and saint of modern India. Swamy Vivekananda had meditated on the rock where the memorial stands today at the end of 1892 before his departure for Chicago to participate in the World Religius' Conference in 1893. A meditation hall also adjoins the memorial.

Gandhi Memorial

Gandhi Memorial, built in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, this is the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. In the shape of a central Indian Hindu temples, the memorial was so designed that the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where the pot was kept.

By Air

he nearest airport is at Trivandrum (80 km).

By Rail

Kanyakumari is connected to Trivandrum, Delhi, and Mumbai by broad-gauge railway network. Tirunelvelli (80 km) is the other nearest railway junction and can be reached by road via Nagarkoil (19 km).

By Road

Kanyakumari is connected by road to Trivandrum (86 km), Nagarkoil (19 km), Tirunelvelli (91 km), Tiruchendur (89 km), Tuticorin (129 km), Rameshwaram (300 km), Courtallam (130 km), Madurai (242 km), Thekkady (358 km), Kodaikanal (362 km), Palani (370 km), Ootacamund (576 km), Cochin (309 km), and Coimbatore (478 km).

The markets have several small shops where one can purchase local items or some handicraft items too. Souvenirs and handicraft articles made from sea shells and palm leaf are the main things to buy at Kanniyakumari. Decorative items made of wood and bamboo are also good purchase here. The Tamil Nadu Co-optex sales emporium, Indco products, Tamil Nadu crafts and Pumphuar are some of the places where you can get you choice of handicraft items, textiles and other materials.