Kanyakumari is a district in the state of Tamil Nadu, also called as the ‘ god’s own district”. The name comes from the Devi Kanya Kumari temple in the region, it is located in the southernmost tip of peninsular India, and is surrounded on three sides by the Iaccadive sea. It is beautiful place located in the southern tip of cardamom hills, an extension of the western Ghats range . until Nov 1 , 1956, kanyakumari along with Taluks of Agasteeswaram , Thovalai , kalkulam and vilavancode were a part of Thiruvanathpuram district of kerala. Later, it became a district of tamil nadu . marshal nesamony ( also known as kumara thanthai meaning ‘ father of kanyakumari district’) was instrumental in the merge of kanyakumari to tamil nadu . the nearest is nagercoil, the administrative headquarters of kanyakumari district , 22 km away. Kanyakumari has been a city since sangam period and is popular tourist destination. Some of the notable landmarks are :
1.THIRUVALLUAR STATUE:
Thiruvalluar is a saint and a poet, known famous for his book ‘ thirukkural’ . it has 133 chapters, each chapter consists of 10 songs. On the basis of the number of chapters, his statue is built to a height of 133 feet.
2.VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL :
It was built in the honor of swami Vivekananda in 1970. He is said o have englightenment on this rock . according to local legends, it was on this rock that goddess kumara performed austerity. A meditation hall ( dhyana mandapam) is attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate.
3.GHANDHI MEMORIAL :
It has been built on the spot on the spot where the urn containing Gandhi;s ashes were kept for public immersion. It is designed in such a way that on mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, October 2, the first rays of sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept. Though there are several places of tourist interest in the district, kanyakumari is espically popular in india for its spectular and unique sunrise and sunset. On full- moon evenings (chitra poumani), one can also see the moon- rise and sunset. At the same time. It is also famous for its food items like appam, curd, rice,aval (beaten rice) , semiya passyasam , pasha, baji, maravazhi, kizhangu with fish, nungu sarbath, sweets like thaen kuzhal, jalebi, kadalai, mittai, etc.