Kanyakumari (கன்னியாகுமரி) is a town in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu state, India. Located at the southernmost tip of India, it is also called Cape Comorin. The closest major town is Nagercoil, the capital of Kanyakumari district.
KanyaKumari Name Origin
- Kanyakumari name comes from Goddess Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple, which is situated at the shore on the union of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.
- Actually, Kanya Devi, an avatar of Parvati, was to marry Shiva, but she could not marry him, she vowed to remain virgin all her life.
- The princess Kanya Devi is a virgin goddess. Hence the name KanyaKumari.
Marunthuvazh Malai - The Story
It is believed when Lord Hanuman was carrying a mountain of life saving herb to Lanka during Rama and Ravana war to cure Rama and his entire army.Lord Hanuman dropped a piece of the mountain earth. This piece which dropped is known as Marunthuvazh Malai.
The Marunthuvazh Malai is filled with lots of medicinal valued herbs and plants. Marunthuvazh Malai is located on highway towards Nagercoil which is about 7 kms from Kanyakumari town.
Ancient History of Kanyakumari
In ancient times, Kanyakumari was a great centre for art and religion. It was major area for trade and commerce.Kanyakumari was governed by several rulers they are the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks.The architectural beauty of the temples was contributed by these great rulers.
Then Kanyakumari became a part of the Venad kingdom. The capital of Venad kingdom was at Padmanabhapuram.The Venad king, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma during his time in power 1729 to 1758, established Travancore by extending his province further north up to Aluva. At that time , the Kanyakumari District was popularly known as Southern Travancore.
King Marthanda Varma conquered the Dutch East India Company at the famous Battle of Colachel in 1741. British control was completely established over Venad and continued their rule till 1947, so kanyakumari was also under the control of the British till 1947.
Travancore joined the independent Indian Union in 1947.
The British rule ended. In 1949, Kanyakumari was a part of the Travancore-Cochin State.
By this time, the popular campaigning for the merger of Kanyakumari District with Tamil Nadu was raised by the predominantly tamil speaking people of the southern division of the former Trivandrum district. The campaign was under the leadership of Thiru M.A. Nesamani .In November 1st 1956, Kanyakumari was joined with Tamil Nadu (which was known as Madras State at that time) with the four Taluks i.e., Agasteeswarem, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode. Now, Noverber 1st is a local holiday in Kanyakumari district.
Mahatma Gandhi Memorial
Location: Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), India
How to Reach: The Gandhi Mandapam is near to Kumari Amman Temple.
Opening Times: Open from 7am to 7pm, entrance is free
Best Time: Throughout the year
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial was built in the year 1952. The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial has been built on the spot where the urn containing the ashes of the Father of our Nation was kept for public viewing. Later the ashes was immersed in the sea.
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial resembles Oriyan temple.The memorial was constructed in a way on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday(October 2nd), the first rays of the sun fall on the spot where his ashes were kept through a hole in the roof.
How to Reach: The Gandhi Mandapam is near to Kumari Amman Temple.
Opening Times: Open from 7am to 7pm, entrance is free
Best Time: Throughout the year
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial was built in the year 1952. The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial has been built on the spot where the urn containing the ashes of the Father of our Nation was kept for public viewing. Later the ashes was immersed in the sea.The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial resembles Oriyan temple.The memorial was constructed in a way on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday(October 2nd), the first rays of the sun fall on the spot where his ashes were kept through a hole in the roof.
Location: Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), India
How to Reach: The Swami Vivekananda memorial is reachable from Kanyakumari by ferry services that connect the island
Opening Times: Open from 7am to 5pm, closed on Tuesday
Best Time: Throughout the year
Vivekananda Rock Memorial is located where three oceans meet the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea , it is located 400 meters from Kanyakumari.
This magnificient structure was built in the year 1970, under the guidance of Shri Eknath Ranade and Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee. The cost of building the memorial was up to 1 crore 35 lakhs. The rock on which the memorial is contructed measures about 164 mtrs. x 130 mtrs. at the water level and has a spacious level top at an altitude of 17 mtrs.
Swami Vivekananda visited Kanyakumari, on December 24 ,25 and 26 in 1892. He swam across the sea meditated in the isolated rock, known as ‘Sripada Parai’.
He meditated about the past, present and future of India. It is believed that he received enlightenment here after meditating for three continuous days. The meditation transformed Swami Vivekananda into one of the most charismatic spiritual leaders of this century who will be remembered by everyone. This rock were he meditated is now popularly known as Vivekananda memorial and is a major tourist attraction.
The memorial has two main portions the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Sripada Mandapam, on two adjacent rocks which are separated by 70 meters from each other. The smaller rock known as 'Sripada Parai', it is believed in ancient times the virgin Goddess Kanya Kumari medidated on this rock and there is a mark on the rock similar to a human foot which is believed to be 'Sripadam' or the feet of the Virgin Goddess. It is now surrounded in a square shrine or Sripada Madapam.
Vivekananda Mandapam has dimension of 534' x 426', a Meditation Hall ( Dhyana Mandapam) and it also has an Assembly hall (Sabha Mandapam) . A statue of Swami Vivekananda in a standing posture, has also been installed in the Assembly hall, with its vision directed towards the 'Sripadam'.
How to Reach: The Swami Vivekananda memorial is reachable from Kanyakumari by ferry services that connect the island
Opening Times: Open from 7am to 5pm, closed on Tuesday
Best Time: Throughout the year
Vivekananda Rock Memorial is located where three oceans meet the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea , it is located 400 meters from Kanyakumari.This magnificient structure was built in the year 1970, under the guidance of Shri Eknath Ranade and Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee. The cost of building the memorial was up to 1 crore 35 lakhs. The rock on which the memorial is contructed measures about 164 mtrs. x 130 mtrs. at the water level and has a spacious level top at an altitude of 17 mtrs.
Swami Vivekananda visited Kanyakumari, on December 24 ,25 and 26 in 1892. He swam across the sea meditated in the isolated rock, known as ‘Sripada Parai’.
He meditated about the past, present and future of India. It is believed that he received enlightenment here after meditating for three continuous days. The meditation transformed Swami Vivekananda into one of the most charismatic spiritual leaders of this century who will be remembered by everyone. This rock were he meditated is now popularly known as Vivekananda memorial and is a major tourist attraction.
The memorial has two main portions the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Sripada Mandapam, on two adjacent rocks which are separated by 70 meters from each other. The smaller rock known as 'Sripada Parai', it is believed in ancient times the virgin Goddess Kanya Kumari medidated on this rock and there is a mark on the rock similar to a human foot which is believed to be 'Sripadam' or the feet of the Virgin Goddess. It is now surrounded in a square shrine or Sripada Madapam.
Vivekananda Mandapam has dimension of 534' x 426', a Meditation Hall ( Dhyana Mandapam) and it also has an Assembly hall (Sabha Mandapam) . A statue of Swami Vivekananda in a standing posture, has also been installed in the Assembly hall, with its vision directed towards the 'Sripadam'.
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