Kanyakumari is an interesting place full of history and culture. Not to mention the scenic beauty with deep blue waters bordering the three sides and tropical forests of the Western Ghats on the northern side. While there’s so much to explore and enjoy, it’s also a perfect place for a short trip. If you’re planning to visit our city and are starved of time, here is a quick Kanyakumari travel guide that covers the best of this beautiful place.
Day 1 Itinerary
Morning to Noon: Kanyakumari Beach and Bhagavathi Amman Temple
If you’ve checked in to one of the many hotels in Kanyakumari in the evening, we suggest waking up early to witness the beautiful sunrise. It is a magical moment when the sun rises with the Indian Ocean and the Vivekananda Memorial providing the perfect backdrop. You can then move on to a morning darshan at the Bhagavathi Amman Temple. This temple is one of the most important Shakti Peethams and is dedicated to Devi Kanyakumari, a virgin goddess form of Goddess Parvathi. The serene atmosphere within the premises is a pleasant start to a hectic day of sightseeing. You can also begin your day with the Nirmalya Darshan, i.e., the first darshan where the deity is bathed and dressed. It is believed that the positive energy emitted from the statue benefits devotees. Later, proceed to Kanyakumari Beach to witness the sunrise.
Look for hotels near Kanyakumari Beach so you don’t have to run around haggling with autorickshaw drivers to take you to the temple. And check with the hotel about sunrise and sunset timings. Don’t miss the other attractions here, including a ferry ride to the Vivekananda Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. The latter, a 133 feet statue, is dedicated to the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar who wrote the Thirukural, a collection of couplets covering everything from love and politics to economics, spirituality, and morals.
Noon: Suchindrum Temple, Pottaiyadi Saibaba Temple, Nagaraja Temple
After visiting the beach and Bhagavathi Amman Temple, we suggest you finish breakfast and head to Suchindrum to visit the Tanumalaya Temple. This temple is dedicated to the Trinity, i.e., Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh all represented through a single statue. Before visiting Suchindrum, we suggest you visit the famous Pottaiyadi Saibaba Temple. This place is a recent addition designed to replicate the one in Shirdi.
Your next stop would be the Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil. The city of Nagercoil gets its name from this pre-12th century temple dedicated to Adishesha or Nagaraja, also known as King of Serpents. It is a very significant place for people cursed with sarpa dosham and other planetary curses. Locals believe that offering milk and turmeric to the naga statues in the temple helps one get rid of powerful planetary curses.
Evening: Ramalakshmi Sweets, Kottar Market, Pothys
The evenings can be reserved for shopping. If you are looking for local snacks and other delicacies like plantain chips, murukku, sweet sevvai, onion pakoda, imarti (locally called jaangiri), mundhiri kothu (another local delicacy), and mixture. If you’re craving something non-vegetarian, head to one of the many parotta stalls scattered across the city. Some popular ones include Bharat, Famous (famous for its country chicken fry), and Banu Chicken Corner. The Kottar Market is the best place to shop for brass items, including lamps, vessels, and the ubiquitous uruli, traditional brass cookware. If you’re looking for affordable temple jewellery, visit the many pattarais or jewellery units in Vadasery. The jewellery made here is famous and supplied to dancers across the world. If you’re looking to buy silk sarees, head to Pothys.
Day 2 Itinerary
Morning: Padmanabhapuram, Mathur Hanging Bridge
You could either check out of your hotel before proceeding to Thiruvananthapuram or stay another day to explore the place further. Head on to the Padmanabhapuram Palace, a 17th-century palace considered the world’s largest wooden palace. This was once the seat of power of the erstwhile Travancore Royal Family before they shifted their capital to Thiruvananthapuram.
You must also not miss the Mathoor Hanging Bridge, one of Asia’s longest and tallest trough bridges, built in 1966 by the late Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. Don’t forget to soak in the beautiful view of the palm trees, the Pazhayar River, and the pineapple and plantain cultivations surrounding the bridge. You can then move on to Thiruvananthapuram to continue with your journey to God’s Own Country. But if you choose to stay for a day or two, there are plenty of places you must visit. These include:
- Twin Beaches
- Vattakottai
- Thiruparappu Falls
- Kalikesam
- Ulaku Arivi
- Chitharal Cave Temple
- Our Lady Of Ransom Church
- Thomayar Kovil
- Adi Kesava Temple
- Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Temple
And if you are looking for accommodation in Kanyakumari, visit us at the Gopinivas Grand. We are one of the best hotels in Kanyakumari, promising a great experience at the best rates.
