The Land at the Edge of India
The southern tip of Indian soil — the only Indian beach where both sunset and sunrise can be witnessed like a solo movie. A rare location where the creator of the universe has allotted space for the three great oceans to meet, known as Triveni Sangamam. A huge rock in the sea close to the shore has earned a special place in history as the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. The bottom-most point on the map of India, and finally, the automatic choice of national political parties for creating the all-India slogan “Kanyakumari Se Kashmir Tak.” All these descriptions perfectly fit Kanyakumari — the coastal town in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Why Kanyakumari is Special
Though the place is a perfect choice for a weekend trip, visiting on other days has its own advantage — it’s less crowded and more comfortable. So, I chose a weekday to experience this small place with some amazing locations and reached there in the late evening. The timing was perfect to book a room, get refreshed, and explore whatever places I could visit with the available time before heading to the beach to watch the sun begin its journey down the sea. The perfect start to it all was a visit to the temple known by the name Kanyakumari itself.
A trip to this place, which has easy access from Trivandrum and many parts of Tamil Nadu — being the final destination of the national highway from Kashmir — will always remain memorable and worthy for the variety of experiences this small piece of land offers. Anyone who wanders just one kilometre along the beach, at a time interval of twelve hours at both ends of the night, will be able to witness magic in the form of sunrise and sunset — a marvelous sight to behold, taking place far away where the sea and sky seem to melt together.
Though the place is a perfect choice for a weekend trip, visiting on other days has its own advantage — it’s less crowded and more comfortable. So, I chose a weekday to experience this small place with some amazing locations and reached there in the late evening. The timing was perfect to book a room, get refreshed, and explore whatever places I could visit with the available time before heading to the beach to watch the sun begin its journey down the sea. The perfect start to it all was a visit to the temple known by the name Kanyakumari itself.
Why Kanyakumari turns Divine
The temple is believed to be the place where Sati Devi’s spine fell while Lord Shiva was carrying her lifeless body, and it is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas across India. Built on the seashore, with waves splashing against the rocks on which it stands, the temple can be seen clearly even from outside.
It is believed to be around 3000 years old, and the deity is the young Kumari Kanya, from whom the name of the place is derived. Like many ancient temples, especially in Tamil Nadu, the interiors are quite fascinating and beautifully crafted in stone.
When Kanyakumari turns Historical
Close to the temple, the next attraction is the Gandhi Mandapam, built in memory of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Kanyakumari. One part of his ashes was immersed in the seawater here after his demise, and the memorial stands exactly at the spot where the urn was kept for the public to pay their last respects. The structure is beautiful and appealing to everyone, and it is said to be designed in such a way that, on Gandhiji’s death anniversary on October 2nd, the sun’s rays fall precisely on the spot where the urn was kept — a remarkable architectural detail that truly deserves appreciation.
When I came out of the memorial, it was almost time for sunset. Even on a weekday, there were a lot of people rushing to find the perfect spot along the long stretch of beach to watch the event — a once-in-a-lifetime sight for many. Looking ahead, there seemed to be no end to the seashore to make a halt and wait for that memorable view. So, the best option was to make use of the View Tower built for this very purpose — a building with a circular ramp of seven to eight levels, from where people can also see the clear blue seawater, Vivekananda Rock, the Thiruvalluvar Statue, and the temple.
When the Sun Melts into the Sea
There wasn’t much rush on the ramps, so I stood there to experience the sunset. As time passed, the hot red sun slowly moved toward the horizon, its fading glow clearly visible as it approached the sea. I wished to see a few birds flying in the sky between my eyes and the sun to make it a perfect shot, but I wasn’t lucky enough to have that view.
It was a great moment to watch as the sun slowly melted into the horizon until almost half of it disappeared. Then, all of a sudden, some black clouds appeared, interrupting the rest of the spectacle. It blacked out completely without any hint, leaving everyone disappointed. I waited for a few more minutes and was lucky to see a small bright spot become visible again — a moment when the evening hues blended beautifully like a fading light before switching off. With nothing much happening in the streets, I returned to the hotel, hoping to wake up early the next morning.
A Ramp in Kanyakumari's Sea
A huge ramp has been constructed in the sea, almost 100 to 200 meters in length, using massive blocks of stone, allowing anyone to walk on it with the feeling of entering into the sea itself. I was quite surprised to see the size of those rocks — as big as a small passenger car — and wondered how they might have been transported and placed in position. Many people were already at the far end of the ramp, while others had taken seats at various spots along the way, waiting to get the perfect view of the sunrise. I too chose a convenient spot on the ramp and enjoyed the surroundings, with the sea stretching endlessly in every direction.
Looking back toward the seashore, the ramp seemed to divide the sea into two halves — on one side lay the endless shoreline, and on the other stood the great Vivekananda Rock, the Thiruvalluvar Statue, and the temple, all glowing gloriously in the soft morning light just before the sun began its ascent.
When Kanyakumari's Sky Displayed Magic
Finally, far away, the colours began to change, indicating the appearance of the sun to the hundreds of people standing at different spots — on terraces, balconies, and hotel rooftops facing the east. A very small golden spot appeared just above the sea, over a few clouds, and slowly grew into a semi-circular sphere. The sphere glowed with golden rays all around, making everyone’s eyes widen in awe at the beauty unfolding on the horizon just above the sea.
Gradually, the size and golden glow increased until it became a full circle. Yet, even then, the sun’s brilliance was soft enough for the human eye to gaze at directly without discomfort. It took almost ten minutes for the sun to emerge completely from its shell, but no one seemed to look away — afraid to miss even a moment of that breathtaking scene. Soon, the horizon turned into a kaleidoscope of colors. It was the purest display of nature’s rhythm in one of the most perfect locations on earth, and luck had truly been on everyone’s side that day to witness the magic on the horizon.
The horizon still looked golden, and so were the sunrays that fell on the grand structures of Vivekananda Rock, the great poet’s statue, and the Kanyakumari Temple. Those few moments created another postcard-perfect view — one that even the most advanced professional cameras could never truly capture with the same colour combination and frame. It was an experience one couldn’t wish more from.
Kanyakumari Offered Meditation to Me
There was another historically important place to visit after returning to the hotel, having some rest, and getting refreshed for the next destination. It was the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which literally lies in the sea. Is it an island? Not sure — but it’s a huge rock on which the entire memorial complex has been constructed. Traveling by boat is the only option, and the shipping corporation has made good arrangements for ferrying travelers to and fro.
Though it’s a short journey to the memorial, the ride through the oscillating waves is quite interesting. Those lucky enough to sit by the window can catch some fine scenic views outside. The memorial itself is quite large, with a full-sized statue of Swami Vivekananda at the spot where he is believed to have sat in meditation before leaving for his famous Chicago speech.
Below this area, there is a hall perfectly arranged for meditation for those interested. It is quite dark and remains completely silent — even from the sound of waves hitting the rock. Spending a few minutes inside this room, listening to the soft chant of “Om” echoing as if from infinity, was truly a soul-searching experience.
Where the Journey Ends and Peace Begins
Apart from these, the Shripada Mandapam, where the footprints of Devi Kanyakumari are preserved safely, is another attraction. The statue of Thiruvalluvar can also be seen very closely from the boundary of this memorial. Two bookstalls and rainwater harvesting reservoirs are also arranged within the structure. There is no strict time limit for anyone to return, though there may be a long queue while waiting for the return boat.
That’s all about a place where the long beach offers some rare and unforgettable experiences — unlike other famous beaches where a stroll along the shore and a dip in the waves are probably the only activities.
Would you like to go through another spiritual location? Click Here for KUDAJADRI – The Sacred Peak of Enlightenment
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🗺️ Location & How to Reach
Location:
Kanyakumari is located at the southernmost tip of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu, where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean meet. It lies about 90 km from Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala’s capital) and around 700 km from Chennai.
How to Reach:
- By Air: The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport (about 95 km away). Regular taxis and buses are available from the airport to Kanyakumari.
- By Train: Kanyakumari Railway Station is well connected to major cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi. Trains terminate here, making it an easy access point from across India.
- By Road: Kanyakumari is the southern end of National Highway 44 (NH 44), which stretches all the way from Srinagar to Kanyakumari. Regular state transport and private buses operate from nearby cities such as Nagercoil, Madurai, and Trivandrum.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
Kanyakumari can be visited throughout the year, but the best time is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and comfortable for sightseeing. During these months, the sky stays clearer, making it ideal to witness both the sunrise and sunset over the sea.
The monsoon season (June to September) gives the town a fresh charm with strong waves and dramatic clouds — perfect for those who enjoy a quieter, more poetic mood. Summers (April to June) can be hot and humid but are still manageable for short visits and evening walks along the shore.
