Kanyakumari

Date of visit: 23 Feb 2008
Country: India
Major Places visited: Kanyakumari, Thirparappu
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/paresh.redkar/Kanyakumari

At the tip of the Indian peninsular lies a small town called Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari takes its name from the Kumari Amman or Kanyakumari Temple, situated in the town, on the sea-shore, the very confluence of the three water-bodies - Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.
The water over here is just too beautiful. You will feel like taking a dip in the cool waters on a hot summer day. Though there are several places of tourist-interest in the town and district, Kanyakumari is especially popular in India for its spectacular and unique sunrise and sunset. The confluence of three ocean bodies - the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea - makes the sunrise and sunset even more special.

A must visit place is the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the gigantic 133 feet statue of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar, one of the biggest statues in Asia. Swami Vivekananda is said to have seated on this rock in deep meditation. Also on this rock, there is a Dhyana mandapam, an area for meditation. Ferry services are available to reach the memorial.
The Gandhi Memorial has been built on the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. Resembling central Indian Hindu temples in form, the memorial was designed in such a way that on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, October 2, the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept.
From Kanyakumari we went to Thirparappu waterfall. This is about 1.5 hours away and you can take the bus and go. The waterfall is not a very huge one but serves as a good source of enjoyment for many people who come to take a shower under the falls.