Kanyakumari – Trivandrum

Kanyakumari is located in the state of Tamil Nadu and it is the southernmost point of the Indian peninsula. The enchanting natural beauty of this place attracts hordes of tourists from far corners of India and the world at large. The place is blessed with a pleasant climate and you will come across several places of tourist interest that are located here. The tourist attractions in Kanyakumari are chiefly of religious and historic importance. The sea shore of Kanyakumari is well-known for exquisite sunset and sunrise.

Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) is built over seven hills and was one of the most important centers of intellectual and artistic pursuits during the ancient and medieval periods of South Indian history. It formed a part of the Travancore kingdom. Trivandrum, apart from being an important commercial and political center for Kerala, holds a lot of importance for the tourists as well. There are many things in store for the travelers here including museums, palaces and splendid temples.

Tourist Attractions in Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari Temple:
Overlooking the shoreline, Kanyakumari temple is dedicated to Parvati as Devi Kanya. The Hindu Mythology has it that this was the place where the Virgin Goddess did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. Devi Kanyakumari is revered as ‘the protector of India’s shores’. The temple is open for the devotees and tourists early in the morning from 04:30am to 11:30am and again from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. There is one downside about this temple that no one other than Hindus are allowed inside.

Padmanabhapuram Palace:
As a unique repository of some of the most ancient monuments in South India, Padmanabhapuram Palace is about 15 km from Nagercoil. Built with strategic planning and military architecture, the palace remained the seat of power for the Travancore emperors till 1790. The palace is popular for its striking aesthetic beauty, innovative designs and timeless wooden carvings.

Vivekananda Memorial:
About half a kilometer away from the mainland, Vivekanad Memorial is perched on one of two rocks separated by about 70 meters. Built in 1970, the memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, India’s greatest social reformer. This was the rock on which Vivekanand meditated in his quest to know the truth and enlightenment. Today this memorial has a meditation room, where you can sit in peace and reflect. The memorial has a stature of Swami Vivekanand and it also houses the different styles of temple architecture from across India. It opens from Wednesday to Monday. Tuesday is holiday. It is open from 7am to 11am and from 2pm to 5pm.

Gandhi Mandapam:
Quite near to the Kumari Amman Temple there is the Gandhi Mandapam, built in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi. The memorial is said to have been built on the place where the urn carrying his ashes was kept before it was immersed in the confluence. The memorial reminds one of an Oriyan temple and was designed in such a manner that on Gandhiji’s birthday (2nd October), the sun’s rays kiss the place where his ashes were kept.

Suchindram Temple:
Dedicated to the trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, Suchidram temple is just 13kms from Kanniyakumari, The temple has a captivating gopuram, musical pillars and an imposing statue of the Hanuman.

Tourist Attractions in Trivandrum:

Koyikkal Palace:
It is one of the major tourist attractions in Trivandrum and is quite ancient, characterized by traditional Kerala architectural style with sloping roofs and a courtyard inside. It also houses two museums namely, the Folklore museum and Numismatics museum. The former one has a rich collection of musical instruments and models of folk arts and the latter has a startling collection of ancient coins that have been collected from different areas.

Napier Museum:
Built in the 19th century, it is a wonderful instance of the rich history of Kerala. The architecture of this museum features a rare combination of traditional Kerala, Mughal, Chinese, and Italian styles. You will come across ancient archaeological artifacts and exquisite paintings here.

Agastyarkoodam:
It is lofty peak located in the Western Ghats rising to an altitude of more than 1800 meters and takes the shape of a sharp cone. This peak can be reached on foot and is ideal for trekking.

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
This is a splendid temple and stands by a tank, the Padmatheertham. This temple has amazing architectural brilliance and houses the deity is of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture. This temple is one of the most attractive things to watch in Trivandrum especially for the pilgrimage tourists and should not be missed out at any cost.

Akkulam Lake:
It is undoubtedly one of the most important places of tourist interest in Trivandrum. Located near the lake is a children’s park and you can also get boating facilities at this place. It is also an ideal venue for picnic as it forms a beautiful locale to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Neyyar Dam:
It is a wonderful dam located near the ranges of Western Ghats, and is a well-liked tourist spot. This dam is also an ideal spot for the picnic and for spending some quality moments with friends and family.