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 Kanayakumari Kodaikanal
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Kanyakumari Travel
Location - Kanyakumari
District, Tamil Nadu
Also Known As - Cape Comorin
Hosts - An Ancient Seaport
Main Attractions - Kanyakumari Beach, Swami Vivekananda
Rock Memorial
Kanyakumari
- The Southern most land tip of India :
Kanyakumari (also spelt as Kanniyakumari) district is bounded by
Tirunelveli district in the north and northeast, by Kerala state in the
northwest and confluence of Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean in the west and
south. The coastline is almost regular except for some points of land
projecting into the sea at Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari is the district
headquarters of the district of the same name.
The City Of Kanyakumari - At the southern most land tip
of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal
meet, lies Kannyakumari, an important pilgrim centre. Kannyakumari is famous
for its beach and the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full
moon days. Kanyakumari is also famous for its vast green stretches of paddy
fields, rich forests, coconut groves and mineral sands.
It's Name - Kannyakumari has been named after the Goddess
Kannyakumari Amman who is the popular deity of the area. Legend has it that
the Goddess Parvati in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanniya did penance
on one of the rocks of this land's end to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva.
The History Of Kanyakumari - Kanniyakumari district, once
known as "The Granary of Travancore" lies at the southwestern part
of Indian peninsula. It was in Travancore for a long time and then merged
with Tamil Nadu in 1956 under the State Linguistic Reorganisation Act.
Kanyakumari Beach - The Kanyakumari beach is a beautiful
sight with multi-coloured sand. The beach here does not really offer one the
opportunity to sunbathe on soft golden sands, or to frolic in the waves
either. The seashore is rocky and dangerous, and there is a manmade wall
running along it. People are warned to stay off the rocks, and when if
someone ventures out of bounds, he or she is quickly and severely
reprimanded by a watchful policeman. There is a lighthouse from where one
can get a panoramic view.
The sea is fairly rough, so it is entertaining to watch it beat itself
against the rocks and then subside, before it gathers itself up for another
attack. With long stretches of sands of many hues, the beach offers a
welcome change. A variety of shells are on sale on the Kanyakumari beach.
Pilgrim Rites Performed - Pilgrimage rites include
bathing at Pitru and Matru Tirtha, two rocks over which a monument honouring
Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu religious leader, was built in 1970.
Prime Attractions :
Kumari Amman Temple - Kumari Amman Temple is dedicated to
Parvati as Devi Kanya, the Virgin Goddess who did penance to obtain the hand
of Lord Shiva.
Temple Of Goddess Bhagavathi - Few temples in India are
more picturesquely located than that of Goddess Bhagavathi in Kannyakumari.
It stands near where three oceans meet: the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal
and the Arabian Sea.
In its early form the temple seems to have been built by the first Pandyas.
The Nayaks expanded it later. There are three Prakaras. The image of the
Goddess in the sanctum is marvellous in its serenity and beneficence. She
carries a necklace in Her right hand. The eastern gate, facing the Bay of
Bengal is opened only five times a year.
Swami
Vivekananda Rock Memorial - On the evening of December 25, 1892, Swami
Vivekananda who had come to Kannyakumari on pilgrimage swam to the rock and
spent the whole night there in deep meditation. He then resolved to decide
himself to the service of the Motherland and to spread the message of
Vedanta. Next year he attended the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, an
event of seminal importance in the modern history of Hinduism. To
commemorate his visit to the rock a superb memorial has been erected. It
attracts thousands of visitors.
Gandhi Mandapam - Not far from the Kumari Amman Temple is
the Gandhi Mandapam, constructed at the spot where the urn containing the
ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept for public view before a portion of its
contents was immersed in the three seas. It resembles an Oriyan temple and
was designed so that on Gandhiji's birthday (2nd October), the sun's rays
fall on the place where his ashes were kept.
The Temple At Suchindram - Tradition connects the
Kannyakumari temple with that in Suchindram (13-km from Kanyakumari). This
is a fine, large fane, with a beautiful tank. It is one of the few temples
in the country where the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Isvara, are worshipped.
The Linga, named "Sthanumalaya", is in three parts; the top
represents Lord Shiva, the middle Lord Vishnu, and the base Lord Brahma. "Sthanu"
is a name of Shiva, "Mal" of Vishnu, and "Ayan" of
Brahma.
Excursions : Famous Temples Around
Kanyakumari :
Nagaraja Temple at Nagercoil - 19km from Kannyakumari is
Nagercoil, which contains the celebrated Nagaraja temple. The sanctum is a
simple thatched shed, with mud walls. It enshrines the King of Serpents.
Tradition states that a King of Kalakkad was cured of leprosy when he
performed penance in the temple. He then rebuilt it in the Kerala style. He
might have been Bhuthalavira Sri Vira Udaya Marthandavarma, who ruled Venad,
with Kalakkad as his capital, from 1516 to 1535. It is believed that
snakebite is not fatal within a kilometre of the temple. The fane has some
Jain sculptures.
Tirunelveli - The temple of Swami Nelliappar and Sri
Kanthimathi Ambal in Tirunelveli (83-km from Kanyakumari) dates back at
least to the seventh century. Sambandar has sung it, and Ninrasir Neumaran,
the Pandya, is said to have commissioned the making of musical pillars in a
Mandapa in this temple. Originally, there were two temples side by side,
dedicated to Lord Nelliappar and Goddess Kanthimathi. They were linked by a
Mandapa, the "chain" Mandapa, built in 1647. The oldest
inscription belongs to the middle of the tenth century.
Sankaranainarkoil - Sankaranainarkoil has three shrines
dedicated to Lord Sankaralinga, to Goddess Gomathi Amman and, between these
two, to Lord Sankaranarayana, a combination of Shiva and Vishnu. The temple
was built in the eleventh century and was expanded later. The Gopura is of
nine storeys and is 38m high. The temple is famous for the miracles the
Goddess performs in curing illness.
Subramanya Temple in Tiruchendur - The temple of Lord
Subramanya in Tiruchendur, also in the same district, is one of the "Arupadai
Veedus", or specially sanctified residences, of the Lord. It is
situated by the sea. Traditionally, it commemorates the Lord's victory over
Surapadma, a demon. The Gopura, of nine storeys, is 42m high and was
constructed in the 17th century. It was renovated in 1983.
Alvar Tirunagari - One of the celebrated Vaishnavaite
temples in the district of Kannyakumari is in Alvar Tirunagari, one of the
nine sung of by Namalvar. The saint attained enlightenment under a tree,
which still stands in the temple. The Lord is Adinatha. The temple has a
Nadaswaram musical instrument made of stone. It is played during the temple
festival.
Kumarakovil - Kumarakovil is at the foot of the Velimalai
hills in Kalkulam Taluk (also spelt as Taluka), about 34-km from
Kannyakumari. The Lord Muruga Temple is built on the hillock about 200 feet
height in a lush green field of Paddy, Plantain and Coconut trees. The
temple is noted for architectural beauty. Goddess Valli, the spouse of Lord
Subramanya is also enshrined in the temple by the side of the Lord. In the
right side of the temple there is one big lake, suitable for boating.
How to get there ?
Air - The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram
(80-km), which is well connected with national and International flights.
From Thiruvananthapuram one can take a taxi or bus to Kanyakumari.
Rail - Kanyakumari is well connected by train services
with all the places in India. Superfast trains connect the southern most
railhead of India with northern cities like Jammu and Delhi. Intercity
trains are running from almost all the southern cities.
Road - Kanyakumari is connected by regular bus services
with Chennai, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Trichy, Madurai, Mandapam
(Rameshwaram), Nagercoil, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Tiruvelveli, Trivandrum,
etc. Town bus service, tourist taxis and auto rickshaws are available.
Kodaikanal Travel
Location
- 120 Km From Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Popularly Known As - Kodai
Famous Festival - Summer Festival
Best Time To Visit - April To June And September To
October
Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the
most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerises any visitor.
With her wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful
lake, Kodaikanal is a charming hill station.
Kodai is situated at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area
of 21.45-sq-km. The hill town is renowned for its educational institutions
of international repute. The pride of Kodaikanal is the 'Kurinji-flower',
which blossoms once in 12 years. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are
known for their freshness and taste.
Prime Attractions :
Berijam Lake - Berijam Lake is one of the beautiful
picnic spots in Kodai, located 21-km away from the bus stand. This lake
supplies drinking water to Periakalam town. The scenery around here is
delightful.
Boat Club - In 1910, a new boathouse was constructed, but
only from May 1929, few tourists were permitted to avail boat ride as
temporary members. Later on they were extended to the public and tourists in
1932. Boats like T.T.D.C, Kodai boats, Carlton boats are available for hire.
Bryant Park - Bryant Park situated on the eastern side of
the lake, is noted for flowers, hybrids and rafts. Varieties of flowers can
be seen in a glasshouse. The annual horticultural show is held here in May.
Shenbaganur Museum - Shenbaganur Museum is located about
5-Km from the lake. The Sacred Heart College maintains this museum. One of
the best orchidoriums in the country with more than 300 species of orchids
and wide-ranging collection of birds are found here.
Coaker's Walk - Coaker's Walk derives the name from Lt.
Coaker, who prepared the map of Kodai and it is about a kilometre from the
lake, which runs along a steep slope on the southern side of the Kodai. Some
of the best views of the plains can be seen from here.
Kodaikanal Lake - Kodaikanal Lake is a magnificent
man-made lake, which spreads out in a star shape over sixty acres is a main
attraction as it is set among the greenery. The boat club here offers
several pleasure and racing trips.
Pillar Rocks - Within the city limits one can see three
boulders standing shoulder - to - shoulder vertically measuring to a height
of about 122 metres providing a panoramic view.
Kurinji Andavar Temple - The presiding deity of the
temple is Lord Murugan and is about 3.2-km from the lake. In Tamil
literature "Kurinji" means "Hilly Region" and "Andavar"
means God. From this temple, one can get a view of the northern plains and
Palani Hills.
Silver Cascade - Silver Cascade waterfall is located on
the Ghat Road about 8-km from Kodaikanal. The overflow of Kodai Lake comes
down here as 180 feet high falls.
Bear Shola Falls - An ideal picnic spot located 1.6-km
from the lake, which can be by a picturesque, rugged hill path. Bears once
used to drink water above the falls.
Telescope
Houses - To enable the visitors to have a panoramic view of the valley
and the nearby towns, two telescope houses have been put up at Kodai.
Climate :
The climate of Kodaikanal is pleasant throughout the year, but the best
time to visit Kodaikanal is from April to June and from September to
October.
How to get there ?
Air - The nearest airport is at Madurai (120 km from
Kodaikanal).
Rail - The nearest railway stations are the Kodai Road
Railway Station (80-km) and the Palani Railway Station (64-km).
Road - Kodaikanal is connected by road with Chennai
(520-km), Ooty (264-km), Trichy (197-km), Coimbatore (175-km), Kumili
(160-km), and Madurai(120-km). Regular bus services are available from
Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli
(Thekkady) and Coimbatore. Additional buses ply during the season. Taxis and
vans are available for local transportation. There are no auto-rickshaws in
Kodaikanal.
Shopping :
The famous places to shop in Kodaikanal are the Khadi Emporium, Handloom
Co-operative Stores and Travancore Crafts Work, Government Sales Emporium,
Kurinji Mini Supermarket, Spencer and Company.
The Summer Festival in Kodaikanal :
There are several beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu. With the Summer
Festivals, the hills are even hospitable to welcome the visitors. The summer
festival is held in the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the evergreen Ooty; the
exquisite Kodaikanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud. Cultural
programs, adventure sports, boat races, flower and fruit shows add to the
splendour of the festival.
Entertainment in Kodaikanal :
The Golf Club is located 5-km from the Kodaikanal Lake. Boating and Angling
facilities are available at the Kodaikanal Lake. Picturesque trek routes are
available in and around Kodaikanal. For details, contact: The Trek Director,
Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.
