TRAVEL2TAMILNADU

KANYAKUMARI

KANYAKUMARI BEACH

�����The distinction of being the southern-most tip of India draws thousands of tourists to this town. Although Kanyakumari Beach isn't safe for swimming, the spectacular stretches of sands and the amazing sunrise and sunset views are the reasons enough to draw tourists. The famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which protrudes into the ocean is one of the most visited attractions and the famous rocks where Swami Vivekananda meditated, are available.

GANDHI MEMORIAL

 

 

�����Another famous monument is the Gandhi Memorial, built over the spot where the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept for public viewing before immersing them in the waters. The architecture of the memorial resembles an Orissa temple. It is a centre of cultural importance and a home to a Library containing rare historical books based on the life and activities of Mahatma Gandhi. There are several thousand books in the library along with pamphlets, magazines etc. it is open for public reading on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. During the months of July and August the Library remains closed because special programs are held there during that time.

It is run by a group of people who have dedicated their lives to the memoirs of Gandhi. People residing anywhere in India can avail the membership of the Library and there are two different types of membership. The life time membership costs $100 while the annual membership costs only $5. The Gandhi Memorial in Kanyakumari also arranges for a one year correspondence course on the life and activities of Mahatma Gandhi. A certificate is also awarded to the successful candidates from the Gujarat Vidyapith. There are special meeting rooms in the Gandhi Memorial where a film showing the achievements of the Mahatma Gandhi.

The Gandhi Memorial upholds the rich cultural heritage of India. The Gandhi Memorial, Kanyakumari is the right place where one can get a clear picture about the teachings, philosophy, ideal and services rendered by Mahatma Gandhi for the country. .

PADMANABAPURAM PALACE

 

 

 

 

�����Padamanabhapuram is 45 Km from the town and is known for its fort which includes a beautiful palace and a temple.The Padamanabhapuram Palace complex consists of several structures: the palace complex continue to be the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture, and some portions of the sprawling complex are also the hall mark of traditional Kerala style building art. Padmanabhapuram Palace complex is located in at Padmanabhapuram Fort, close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu. It is about 20 km from Nagercoil, and about 50 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

. The palace complex is inside an old granite fortress around four kilometers long. The palace is located at the foot of the Veli Hills, which form a part of the Western Ghats. The river Valli flows nearby.The palace is administered by the Government of Kerala archeology department.

There is a King�s Council chamber is the most beautiful parts of the entire palace complex. It has windows, with coloured mica, which keep the heat and the dust away, and the inside of the council chamber remains cool and dark. Delicate and beautiful lattice work can be seen all around the council chamber. The floor is also beautifully done, with a fine and perfect finish. The floor is dark coloured and is made of a mixture of varied substances, including burnt coconut shells, egg white and so on. The remarkable aspect is that this particular floor finish and texture could not be duplicated in any other construction.

A gallery of paintings depicting incidents from the history of Travancore.

A wooden cot made of up to 64 wooden pieces of a variety of medicinal tree trunks . The clock tower in the palace complex has a 300 year old clock, which still keeps time. A big hall now bare, which can accommodate around 1000 guests, and where ceremonial feasts were held, on auspicious occasions.

There is a secret passage which has been blocked now, through which the king, his immediate family members, and their entourage could escape to another palace, located several kilometers away in the event of any emergency. A flight of steps leads to a bathing pond, which has lost its freshness due to neglect and years of disuse.

The Palace complex also has a section of curios and several interesting objects: An entire room filled with old Chinese jars, all gifts by Chinese merchants. A variety of weapons (which were actually used in warfare), including swords and daggers. Brass lamps, wood and stone sculpture, a variety of furniture and large mirrors made of polished metal.

KANYAKUMARI TEMPLE

 

����� The Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple, located on the shore is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Other famous temples in and around the town are Alvar Tirunagari Temple dedicated to Lord Adinatha, where saint Namalvar attained enlightenment under a tree; Temple of Goddess Bhagavati and the Temple at Suchindram.

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL

 

 

 

 

 

����� The memorial was erected to commemorate the evening of December 25, 1892, when Swami Vivekananda visited Kanyakumari as a pilgrim and swam to the rock in the sea and spent the whole night there in deep meditation. Only after that, he resolved to serve his Motherland and spread the message of Vedanta. Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a sacred monument and popular tourist attraction in Kanyakumari, India. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters off mainland India's southernmost tip. It was built in 1970 by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee in honour of the visit of the great spiritual teacher Swami Vivekananda to Shripada Parai during the month of December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment. He swam to this rock and meditated about the past, present and future of India. It is said that he attained enlightenment on the rock, and henceforth became a reformer and philosopher. From very ancient times, the rock has been regarded as a sacred place. The mythical tradition states that it has been known as 'Sripada Parai', meaning the rock that has been blessed by the touch of �the sacred feet� of the Devi Kumari. On the rock is a projection similar in form to a human foot and a little brownish in complexion, which has traditionally been venerated as a symbol of Shripadam. A meditation hall (Dhyana Mandapam) is also attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. It houses a statue of Vivekananda. The merger of three seas - Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean can be seen from these rocks. The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. This monument was hit by the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 26, 2004.

VATTAKOTTAI

 

 

 

 

 

It is 6 km from the city, Vattakottai is an 18th century fort overlooking the sea. Those who would like to swim and bathe in the sea can come here, as the sea here is calm and suitable for bathing. Vattakottai Fort (or 'Circular Fort') is a seaside fort near Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India. It was built in the 18th century as a coastal defence-fortification and barracks in the erstwhile Travancore kingdom. Entrance of the fort.It was constructed under the supervision of Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, an ex-Dutch naval officer of the VOC, who became commander of the Travancore army (the very army that defeated him in the Battle of Colachel) in the 18th century, after he earned the trust of the Travancore King Marthanda Varma. De Lannoy constructed Vattakottai, as part of the defence-fortifications he undertook throughout Travancore. The fort is made of granite blocks and, today, a part of the fort extends into the sea. It is a protected site under the Indian archaeological department. A major renovation of the fort was undertaken recently by the department, and the site is now a popular tourist spot. Vattakottai Fort commands a picturesque view of both the sea on the one side, and the hills (Western Ghats) on the other . Another interesting feature near the site is a beach of black sands. It is about 7 km from Kanyakumari town.

 

ALVAR TIRUNAGARI

One of the celebrated Vaishnav temples of Kannyakumari, Alvar Tirunagari temple is one of the nine sung of by the saint Namalvar. It is said that the saint attained enlightenment under a tree enshrined here. It is dedicated to Lord Adinatha and the musical instrument used in the temple festival here called Nadaswaram is made of stone.

 

KEERIPARAI

 

 

 

It is a place for nature-lovers and adventurers .It is pristine and beautiful, places like Keeriparai haven�t been publicized much by the Forest Department for various reasons . Keeriparai hills is 30 km from Nagercoil. one can enjoy water rushing through small mountain streams with pebbles and ferns all around. There are also a few small waterfalls in this area ,the popular one being Vattaparai Falls. Maramalai, which is further up in the hills of Keeriparai.It is very famous for Wild elephants.

 

MUTTOM

Muttom, a coastal village, is another popular place with tourists. The terrain in this village and its surroundings is hilly and with a Portuguese style church standing in the middle of the village. The beach-area is rocky. There is also a 100-year old lighthouse. The lighthouse, though near the sea, is situated on a land mass some 105 feet above sea level. Another attractive feature of this area, is a ravine-like area with casurina trees near the seaside. This place with very popular with Tamil and Keralite film-makers.

 

MUKKADAL

Fresh water supply to Nagercoil is from the Mukkadal Reservoir, about 8 km from the town, in the interior It is a very scenic place, with a small bushy island in the middle of the dam. The dam is surrounded by hills of the Western Ghats.

 

HOTELS IN KANYAKUMARI

 

 

For booking hotels in kanyakumari you have the link.....

 

 

KANYAKUMARI HOTELS

 

LIST OF ENGINEERING COLLEGES IN KANYAKUMARI