Kanyakumari, the ancient town of temples has equally mesmerizing beaches. Presenting vast spread of shimmering sand and the confluence of three great oceans, Kanyakumari beach is one of the most popular sightseeing places in Kanyakumari. It was previously known with the name of Cape Comorin Beach.
One of the major attractions of Kanyakumari beach is the multi colored sand, which is quite rare to find anywhere else in India. The view of differently colored sand, shining as the rays of Sun fall on them, looks nothing less than postcard picture. Located on the southernmost part of India, Cape Comorin Beach is also known for its special feature of having the convergence of Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Although this beach promises mesmerizing scenic beauty throughout day and night, it is best to visit for sunrise and sunset here. The sunset and sunrise at Kanyakumari Beach, when the sand glistened in red colour, is absolutely stunning. Do carry your camera when visiting the beach as the view is worth capturing. Equally enchanting are the full moon nights at this beach. Lighthouse at the beach offers a perfect view of the entire ocean and the surrounding areas.
Activities at Kanyakumari Beach
Kanyakumari beach is rocky; hence it is not suitable for swimming. While playing in the sea waves too one must be careful. There is a stone wall that runs along the seashore. Tourists are usually asked to stay away from the rocks. This beach is ideal to sit and admire the view around.
When at the beach, tourists can buy varieties of sea shell items from the small shops located at the beach.
When at this beach, you can also plan a visit other tourist attractions that are located here such as Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Devi Kanyakumari Temple and Sangam.
Religious significance of Kanyakumari Beach – Triveni Sangam
Triveni Sangam is the confluence of three oceans, namely Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Steps have been built for devotees to step down and have their feet dipped in the holy water of the Sangam. Many devotees sprinkle the holy water from here on them and seek heavenly blessings.
This beach is religiously associated with Bhagavathi Amman; there is a Kanyakumari Bhagavathi Amman Temple located nearby. According to some beliefs, Kanyakumari beach is also related to Devi Kanyakumari, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati.
Tourist Attractions at Kanyakumari Beach
1. Lighthouse: There is a lighthouse at the beach which will provide you with the most fantastic view of the vast expanses of salty water stretching till the horizon.
2. Kanyakumari Amman Temple: A temple for Devi Kanyakumari, corresponding to the legend of the coastal city and its beach, has been built dedicated to the young and fiery goddess. The deity is smaller than any usual South Indian idol, but its diamond nose ring is said to be so bright and radiant that distant ships often mistake it for a lighthouse’s beam of light.
The temple is open to the public from 4:30 AM – 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple premises.
To know more about the temple click here.
3. Gandhi Mandapam: Gandhi Mandapam is a memorial built for the place where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were kept before a portion of it was immersed in the sea. The building is built in such a way that on the day of Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October), the sun’s rays fall directly on the urn where the ashes were kept.
The memorial is open from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM with free entry for tourists. One should not miss this tribute to the great man at the tip of the land of whom he is the Father.
4. Vivekananda Rock Memorial: A rock formation cut off from the mainland, around 500 meters away in the Indian Ocean is famous as the place where the great saint Swami Vivekananda set his foot in 1892 after traveling the entirety of the country on foot. The Vivekanand Rock Memorial is also famous as the place where Devi Kanyakumari had actually practiced her penance for Lord Shiva standing on one foot.
5. Thiruvalluvar Statue: It is dedicated to the great Tamil poet, philosopher, and saint Thiruvalluvar. The statue is around 133 feet in height which signifies the 133 chapters in the epic piece of writing by the poet Thirukkural. The statue stands on the Vivekananda Rock. Tourists can go up to the top of the statue and enjoy a breathtaking view of the surroundings, especially during sunset.
6. Shopping: Tourists can easily spend some time shopping in the small shacks and stalls scattered around the beach selling various souvenirs and handicraft items. You will find decorative items, jewelry, wall hangings, and showpieces made of seashells, conches and seafoam. Bamboo, cane, and wood products are also available here and there. Palm leaf drawings are the unique collector’s item of the Kanyakumari beach that you can buy from the souvenir shops.
One can also enjoy some of the festivals and fairs that are celebrated on a significant scale here – Vaisakha, Kalabham, and Navaratri are some. Another exciting thing to do nearby will be the exciting water sports. If you are not the adventurous type, you can just take a trek down the golden beach to spend an afternoon.
