Kanyakumari Local Tour
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari, located at India’s southernmost tip and surrounded by three major water bodies, is among the most serene and beautiful places in Tamil Nadu. This amazing coastal town boasts a wonderful blend of history, culture, scenic beauty and modernisation; from forts and temples to beaches and museums, there is something for everyone. Kanyakumari is well-connected to the rest of the country by air, rail or road. If you are arriving by air, Trivandrum International Airport (89 km away) is the nearest option, from where you can take a bus or taxi. Kanyakumari has its own railhead, and trains from many major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad stop here on a regular basis. The town also enjoys good road connectivity, with many buses plying from Coimbatore, Madurai, Pondicherry, and other major cities in the south. Do you want to spend your holidays in this stunning coastal town? We have shortlisted some of the top places to visit in Kanyakumari that you should definitely add to your itinerary.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Situated on a small island, Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a top tourist place in Kanyakumari. Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment here after three days of meditation in 1892. It is also believed that Devi Kanya Kumari practised severe austerities on this rock. The rock memorial’s prominent attractions are Vivekananda Mandapam and Shripada Mandapam. A massive Swamiji statue with the Indian Ocean in the background is a sight to behold! The spiritual vibes and serenity of the place, combined with mesmerising views of the surroundings, make Vivekananda Rock Memorial a major attraction in Kanyakumari.
- Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
- How to Reach: The place is 2 km away from Kanyakumari centre. You have to take a ferry from the coast to reach the island.
- Opening Hours: 8AM to 4PM on all days
- Ferry ticket cost: Rs 35 for a normal ticket, Rs 169 if you want to skip the boat queue
- Location: Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702
- What’s special: Magnificent architecture
Thiruvalluvar Statue
This gigantic statue adjacent to Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular attraction among history lovers and architecture buffs. It is dedicated to Thiruvalluvar, a prominent Tamil poet and philosopher. The 133-foot-tall statue stands proudly on a 38-foot-tall pedestal and can be seen from afar. The pedestal’s height represents the 38 chapters of virtue in his literary masterpiece Tirukkual, while the statue’s height signifies the 133 chapters in the same book. The place holds great cultural significance and is a popular tourist destination in Kanyakumari.
- Ideal Duration:1-2 hours
- How to Reach: The statue is only 2 km away from Kanyakumari centre. It is on an island, you must take a short ferry ride to get there.
Opening Hours: 8AM to 4PM on all days
Ferry ticket cost: A single ticket includes a round trip to both the rock memorial and this statue
Location: Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
What’s special: Giant statue with historical significance
Our Lady of Ransom Church
This beautiful church dedicated to Mother Mary, located near the beach with lashing waves of the ocean behind it, is one of the best places to visit in Kanyakumari. The church has brilliant Gothic architecture, with eye-catching carvings on the walls and ceilings. The most intriguing aspect of the holy place is that it houses a saree-clad idol of Mother Mary, which is unusual in a church. If you go in the evening, you will be astounded by how beautiful the place looks when it is lit up.
- Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
- How to Reach: The church is about 2 km away from the bus stand and 3 km away from Kanyakumari centre. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are easily available for convenient transportation.
Tsunami Monument
This monument was built in memory of those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004. The 16-foot memorial, which features two hands, is located near the town’s southern shore. The left hand can be seen preventing a gigantic blue wave from blowing off the lamp on the right hand. This monument, which represents optimism and courage in the face of catastrophe, is, without doubt, a worth a visit in Kanyakumari!
- Ideal Duration:30-45 minutes
- How to Reach: The monument is 1 km away from the bus stand and 2 km away from Kanyakumari centre. So, you can hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi.
Opening hours: 6.00am to 7.00pm
Entry fee: No entry fee
Mayapuri Wax Museum
An interesting replica of London’s Wax Museum, this popular attraction in the city of Kanyakumari is a tourist-puller. The museum houses many figures of famous national and international personalities from different walks of life, like Sir Abdul Kalam, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Charlie Chaplin and Michael Jackson. The museum, which exhibits the history and culture of India and other countries, is a prominent attraction in town.
- Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours
- How to Reach:The museum is less than a km away from the bus stand, so you can take an auto-rickshaw to reach.
Opening hours: 8.00am to 6.30pm (Sunday closed)
Entry fee: INR 50 for adults and INR 40 for children
Location: Main Rd, near Railway Station, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702
What’s special: Wax statue of many renowned people
Bharat Mata Temple
Bharat Mata Temple, dedicated to Mother India, is a must-visit place in Kanyakumari. The temple is 12000 square feet in size and is known for housing a 12-foot tall statue of Swami Vivekananda, as well as many other statues and paintings depicting the concept of motherhood. The temple also includes a Ramayana Mandir, which depicts the tale of Valmiki’s Ramayana through beautifully carved statues and paintings on 108 wooden panels. The 27-foot-tall granite statue of Lord Hanuman at the entrance of Ramayana Mandir is a major draw..
- Ideal Duration: 1 hour
- How to Reach: You can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw from Kanyakumari Bus Stand (2 km away), Kanyakumari centre (3 km away), or any other place in the town.
Kanyakumari Beach
If you enjoy visiting beaches, Kanyakumari Beach will captivate you. The beach is a confluence of three major water bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. The beach is amazing because the water from these three water bodies does not mix, so you can see three different shades of water here. Although the beach is not suitable for water activities, you can spend some serene time here admiring the sunrise, sunset, and the waves splashing against the rocks.
- Ideal Duration:1-2 hours
- How to Reach: The beach is 2 km away from the bus stand and 3 km away from Kanyakumari centre. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are easily available.
Opening hours: 9AM to 6PM on all days
Location: Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
What’s special: Enjoy stunning views from lighthouse
Triveni Sangam
Triveni Sangam, the meeting point of three major water bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean – is a popular religious destination. Visitors to the site, both devotees and tourists, take a dip or bathe in the holy waters. The place also offers magnificent views of the ocean and prominent attractions, such as Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue. The Triveni Sangam’s serene, natural beauty makes it a must-visit for those seeking peace and tranquility.
- Ideal Duration: 1 hour
- How to Reach: The place is only 1 km away from the bus stand and 2 km away from Kanyakumari centre. You can take an auto-rickshaw or taxi to cover the distance.
Bhagavathy Amman Temple
This 3000-year-old shrine, also known as Devi Kanyakumari Temple, is one of the most religious and historically significant places to visit in Kanyakumari. The temple is one of 51 Shakti Peethas dedicated to Devi Kanyakumari Amman. This is thought to be one of the locations where some of Goddess Sati’s lifeless body fell when Lord Shiva carried her on his shoulders and performed the dance of destruction. A beautiful idol of Devi Kanyakumari Amman with a rosary in her hand and sparkling gold jewellery in her nostrils can be found in the temple. Apart from the spiritual aura, the temple is also known for its impressive ancient architecture and enthralling scenic beauty.
- Ideal Duration: 1 hour
- How to Reach:Take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the temple from Kanyakumari centre (2 km away) or any other part of the town.
Opening Hours: 4:30Am to 12:30PM; 4PM to 8PM on all days
Entry fee: The entry is free however INR20/INR50 entry ticket can be bought for fast darshan
Location: Temple Road, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702
What’s special: Magnificent idol of Goddess Kanyakumari
Guganathaswamy Temple
Guganathaswamy Temple, built in the 11th century by King Raja Raja Chola, is a popular religious site frequented by Lord Shiva’s devotees. The temple has an impressive Dravidian-style architecture and 1000-year-old inscriptions that appeal to both history and architecture enthusiasts. The main deity worshipped here is a Shivalinga in the temple. You can stay at one of the hotels in Kanyakumari that are close to the temple for easy access.
- Ideal Duration:Less than an hour
- How to Reach: The temple is about 3 km away from Kanyakumari centre and 2 km away from the bus stand. You can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to cover the distance
Sunset Point
Sunset Point is a must-visit if you are looking to spend some quiet time in scenic surroundings. One of the best things to see in Kanyakumari is the surreal view of the setting sun amidst the evening sky and mighty ocean. If you go on or around the full moon, you can even witness the setting sun’s rays combining with the rising moonlight! What’s more, the point provides stunning views of Vivekananda Rock Memorial and other nearby attractions, and it is a popular spot for photographers.
- Ideal Duration: 1 hour
- How to Reach: Sunset Point is only 2 km away from Kanyakumari centre, so you can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw.