Thiruparrapu Falls or Tirparappu Water Falls

About Thiruparrapu Falls or Tirparappu Water Falls:- Thiruparrapu Falls or Tirparappu Water Falls is located in the Kanyakumari District, about 35 km from Nagercoil and 13 km from Pechiparai Reservoir.

The waterfalls fall in to River Kothai from a height of about 15 meters. A weir has been constructed above the Thiruparrapu Waterfalls at a distance of about 250 meters from the falls, upstream. The rocky riverbed of the Thiruparrapu Waterfalls is about 300 meters long. Thiruparrapu Waterfalls can be seen for almost seven months in a year.

Adjacent to Thiruparrapu Waterfalls, there are entertainment facilities for children like landscaped gardens, children’s park and swimming pool. In between Thiruparrapu Waterfalls and Thiruparrapu weir there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Timing: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Admission Fees: INR 5

Sthanumalayan Temple

About Sthanumalayan Temple:- Sri Sthanumalayan Temple, also known as Arulmigu Thanumaliya Perumal Temple, is an ancient temple where the Trinity is worshipped in the same sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum of this temple has a linga which represents the Trinity.

It is the only shrine in India where the Trinity is worshipped in one idol. The name of the deity itself stands for the Trinity - Sthanu for Lord Shiva, Mal for Lord Vishnu and Ayan for Lord Brahma.

The temple is located in Suchindram, which is a popular pilgrimage destination in South India. Suchindram is situated at a distance of about 11 km from Kanyakumari and 7 km from Nagercoil, on the banks of River Pazhayar. The temple town of Suchindram is the abode of many temples and the most famous among them is Sri Sthanumalayan Temple or Thanumalayan Temple.

The historic aspect of the temple is evident from the ancient Dravidian style of temple architecture.  There are different structures within the temple that point to the fact that the temple was renovated many times by many rulers over the centuries.

As per legend, Suchindram was once known by the name ‘Gnana Aranya’. It was here that Devi Ahalya was given a test of chastity by the Trinity. According to legends, Indra worshipped Lord Shiva at Gnana Aranya to get relief from the curse of Sage Gowthama. When Indra was purified of his sins by Lord Shiva, the place came to be known as ‘Suchindram’.

Sri Sthanumalayan Temple of Suchindram is a pilgrimage destination that attracts both Shaivaites and Vaishnavites. There are a lot of shrines and mandapams inside the temple complex which are dedicated to different deities.

Sri Sthanumalayan Temple is also known for its architectural splendour. The 'Alankara mandapam' of the temple is known for its 18 feet high musical pillars which were carved out of single rock. 

This temple is also home to some rare sculptures like Vigneshwari (the female form of Vinayaka), Makkalai (Nandi), Anjaneya, etc. There is also an image of a scene from Maha-Bhagavatha where Geethopathesa is imparted to Parthasarathi by Lord Krishna who is in the magnificent form of Trinity.

Timing: 4:30 am – 11:45 am
        5:30 pm – 8:45 pm

Mathoor Hanging Bridge

About Mathoor Hanging Bridge:- Mathoor Hanging Bridge or Mathoor Hanging Trough or Mathur Aqueduct is a popular place of tourist attraction in Kanyakumari. Mathoor Hanging Bridge is situated in Aruvikkarai village of Thiruvattar Panchayat of Kanyakumari District.

Mathoor Hanging Bridge is considered as the longest and tallest aqueduct in Asia. It was constructed in the year 1966 across the River Parazhiyar (Pahrali). This bridge has a height of about 35.2 meters and a length of about 1 km.

The trough called as Pattanamkal canal, carries water from one part of the hill to the other side of the hill. The canal has a height of about 2.1 meters and a width of about 2.9 meters and is supported by 28 pillars. Mathoor Hanging Bridge was constructed for drought relief and agricultural support for the adjacent taluks of Vilavancode and Kalkulam.

There is a staircase from the top to the bottom of the Mathoor Bridge leading to entertainment facilities like children’s park and view tower. From the top of Mathoor Hanging Bridge a panoramic view of the place can be seen.

Vattakottai Fort

About Vattakottai Fort:- Vattakottai Fort is one of the chief tourist attractions of Kanyakumari. Vattakottai Fort or the circular fort is located about 6 km to the north-east of Kanyakumari town, in Agasteeswaram taluk. 

Vattakottai Fort, built in the 18th century, was the last one in a string of coastal forts constructed by the Travancore Kings.  Vattakottai Fort was constructed during the reign of Marthanda Varma as a defence measure for Nanjil Nadu.

The fort walls are about 25 feet high with a thickness of about 29 feet in the front portion. The walls of Vattakottai Fort were reinforced by De Lannoy, the trusted General of Travancore King, Marthanda Varma.

Vattakottai Fort, built of stone, consists of watchtowers, rest rooms and weapon rooms. Many of the walls within the fort have carvings of the fish motif, which is believed to be the symbol of the Pandyas. According to archaeologists, Vattakottai Fort was once under the control of the Pandyas.

In its initial days, a clear view of Padmanabhapuram Palace was possible from the top of Vattakottai Fort. There was also a 1.2 meter wide tunnel (secret passage) from Vattakottai Fort to the Padmanabhapuram Palace which covered a distance of about 25 km. This tunnel was gradually closed with the passage of time.

A view of the sea is available from the raised parade ground situated atop Vattakottai Fort. The calm water of the Arabian Sea is visible from one side of the parade ground and the rough water of the Bay of Bengal can be seen on the other side.

Kanyakumari Temple

About Kanyakumari Temple:- Kanyakumari Temple or the Kanyakumari Bhagavathiamman Temple is a chief attraction of Kanyakumari and is dedicated to the virgin Goddess Kanyakumari, an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi.

Goddess Kanyakumari is the presiding deity of Kanyakumari. As per legends, the marriage between Goddess Kanyakumari and Lord Shiva did not take place, as a result of which the Goddess determined to remain a virgin. It is believed that the rice and cereals which were meant for the marriage were left uncooked and they turned to stones. The stones resembling cereals can be seen even today.

The Kumari Amman Temple of Kanyakumari has a peculiar architectural style which is an amalgamation of the architectural styles of different eras. Kumari Amman Temple was originally built by the kings of the Pandya Dynasty in the 8th century. It was later renovated by the Chola, Vijayanagara and Nayaka rulers.

The Kumari Amman Temple of Kanyakumari has three corridors and a sanctum sanctorum. The Navarathri Mandapam, a famous section of the temple, is situated in the external corridor of the temple. The Navarathri Mandapam is adorned with paintings and carvings which reflect the architectural brilliance of Kumari Amman Temple.

In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple there is the idol of the goddess who faces east. Kumari Amman Temple also encloses an 18th century shrine which worships the footprints of Goddess Kanyakumari. 

The main festivals of the Kumari Amman Temple are the Car Festival and the Navarathri Festival. The Car Festival is held during Vaikasi, i.e. May-June and the Navarathri Festival is held during September – October.

Timing: 4.30 am – 12.15 pm
        4.00 pm – 8.15 pm

Udayagiri Fort

About Udayagiri Fort:- Located at a distance of 14 km from the town of Nagercoil at Puliyoorkurichi on the Thiruvananthapuram – Nagercoil National Highway, Udayagiri Fort stands as a remnant of the historic Travancore power.

Udayagiri Fort is an ancient fort which was constructed in 1600 AD. It was later re-built by the Travancore King Marthanda Varma between 1741 – 1744. Udayagiri Fort was an important garrison town for the Travancore kings. Later it came under the control of the East India Company in the 19th century.

During the reign of Marthanda Varma, Udayagiri Fort was known by the name De Lannoy's Fort or Dillannai Kottai. De Lannoy was a Dutch general who was defeated by Marthanda Varma in the battle at Vattakottai Fort. He became the trusted General of Marthanda Varma and remained loyal to him for 37 years.

Udayagiri Fort encloses the tomb of De Lannoy, inside a chapel. The tombs of De Lannoy's wife and son can also be seen here. A foundry for casting guns can also be seen in the fort. The fort also encloses a Biodiversity Park where visitors can see deer, ducks, birds and more than 100 varieties of trees. 

Timing: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm

Kanyakumari Beach

About Kanyakumari Beach:- Kanyakumari Beach is a beach destination as well as religious spot located towards the southern-most tip of peninsular India. The sun set and sun rise at Kanyakumari Beach, especially during Chaitrapurnima (full moon days in April), are highly popular among visitors. During Chaitrapurnima, visitors can watch both sunset and moon rise simultaneously at Kanyakumari Beach.

Kanyakumari Beach has rocky shores and the sea is rough due to the confluence of the three waters – Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.  The sand of Kanyakumari Beach is famous for its softness and various hues.

There is a light house at Kanyakumari Beach from where panoramic views of the sea are available.

6-Government Museum

The Government Museum is located on Beach Road, near the Tourist Office. The Government Museum of Kanyakumari was established in the year 1991 as a multipurpose museum.

There is a vast collection of exhibits in the museum which are related to anthropology, archaeology, numismatics, philately, botany, zoology and geology. Sculptured artefacts and crafts from the South Indian temples are also displayed here.

The sculptures of Srinivasa, Manickavasagar, Tirumangai Alwar, Rama, etc. are some of the notable exhibits. Old coins, tribal objects, wood carvings, musical items, zoological and botanical specimens, bronzes, etc. are also on display here. The Travancore Gallery is also popular since it contains memorabilia of the history of Travancore. 

Timing: 9.30 am - 5.00 pm (Saturday & Second Saturday Holiday)
Admission Fees: INR 10 (Adult)
                            INR 5 (Children)
                            INR 100 (Foreigners)