Wander Wonder Travel: February 2019

Isn't it time for yet another trip. Yes, this time we chose Kanyakumari which is the southernmost tip of India as our destination. So off we went to yet another journey of enjoyment.

Our itinerary were as follows:

Day 1 (Jan 25th 2019):

Travel from Ernakulam to Kanyakumari. Stay at Anantya Resort.

Day 2 (Jan 26th 2019):

Enjoy the beauty of Anantya Resort and after a relaxed day Check out. Visit the following places in the order

- Thiruparapu Waterfalls

- Chitharal Jain monuments

- Mathur Aqueduct

- Vivekananda Rock Memorial

- Thiruvalluvar Statue

- Kanyakumari Devi Temple

- Tsunami Monument

- Gandhi Mandapam

Day 3 (Jan 27th 2019):

Watching Sun rise (6am)

- Kanyakumari Pier

On the way visit

- Thanumalayan Temple, Suchindram

- Padmanabapuram Palace

Anantya Resort:

Chakra Cottage

Located on the banks of lake Chittar in kaliel village in Kanyakumari district is one of the most beautiful resorts in southern India. The remote location of the resort helps the people from the city to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life and be in constant touch with mother nature. The resort is huge with many amenities. Almost all the resort rooms are lake facing. To get up and open the door to find a beautiful lake passing in the early mornings is a visual treat in itself. Sound of birds chirping is a wakeup call.

Morning view from Room

Rooms are spacious. The staffs are very cordial. They have an in house Restaurant. The breakfast buffet was splendid to say the least. A must visit for people to get away from city life for couple of days. The construction of swimming pool which is lake facing is of course comparable with any international tourist destination.

Pathway to Restaurant

Lake facing swimming pool

Thiruparapu Waterfalls :

Thiruparapu Waterfalls is located at a distance of 55kms from Kanyakumari. The falls is descending from Kodayar river at a height of 50 feet. The whole bed above the falls is one rocky mass. If maintained properly with fauna around this will make a major tourist attraction.

There are different sections for Ladies and gents. We felt the place is not hygienic so if you are an ardent waterfall lover then only visit this place. Otherwise you can skip this destination. There is a children's park and a pool constructed for children. On the banks of the river there is a temple of Lord Shiva.

Car parking fee: Rs. 40/-

Entry fee : Rs. 5/-

Chitharal Jain monuments:

The Chitharal Jain Monuments are the remnants of Jain settlement from the 9th century on a small hill in Chitharal village, Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. Chitharal is historically known as Thirucharanathupalli, the abode of Jain monks belonging to the Digambara sect.

Pathway to Chitharal monuments

Entrance to the Cave temple

This temple is located on top of Thiruchanattu hillocks. The rock temple carved out of these rocks are an architectural marvel. There are rock cut carvings of Thirthankaras and attendant deities carved inside and outside of the temple. Among the rock-cut relief sculptures is a figure of the goddess Dharmadevi, it is believed that this is the reason why this was converted as a Devi temple in 13th century. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has included it in the list of protected monuments.

Temple pond

A structure construction on top of the Rock temple

The best time to visit is during evening considering the climate and the hectic task of walking 1km to reach at the top.

Carvings on the wall

Rock Temple

Side view of the Rock Temple

Car parking fee: Rs. 40/-

Timing : 8am to 5pm

Time Required : Around 2 hours

Mathur Aqueduct:

Mathoor Aqueduct or Mathoor Hanging Trough which is built over Pahrali river is located around 60kms from Kanyakumari. The aqueduct is considered as one of the longest and highest aqueduct in South Asia.

This structure is supported by 28 huge pillars and carries water of the Pattanamkal canal for irrigation over the Parali, from one hill to another, for a distance of close to one kilometer.

View from Aqueduct

You can walk over the aqueduct which offers a breath taking scenic beauty of the surrounding areas. Once you cross the trough there are stairs which will take you to the the river bank. There is a children's park here. After this you have to climb the stairs to reach the starting point of the aqueduct. You could see villagers selling fruits and tender coconuts on the way.

Side view of the Aqueduct

Car parking - Rs. 50/-

Entry fee - Rs. 5/-

Still camera/ mobile camera - Rs. 5/-

Time Required : 1-2 hours

Vivekananda Rock Memorial :

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a famous tourist destination in Kanyakumari district. It is located on an island which is a meeting place of Arabian sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. This was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is believed to have attained enlightenment on this rock.

aerial view taken from some site.

The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. A meditation hall called Dhyana Mandapam is also part of Vivekananda Mandapam which allows people from all over the world to do meditation here. An audio track containing the chanting of Om is played inside this meditation hall.

The history says Swami Vivekananda has arrived to Kanyakumari in 1892 and has meditated on this rock for two days. It was a few days before his departure for Chicago to attend World Religious Conference. It is said that at this place, Goddess Parvati has blessed Swami, who was an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga, and initiated his understanding of India, its glory and on the way to elevate it.

It is also believed that this is the place where Goddess Kanya Kumari has done her penance. The marks of Goddess’s feet can be seen on the rock. There is a small projection which resembles the human feet. Hence the name Sri Pada Parai, a Tamil word denoting the rock which has been sanctified by the Goddess’s feet.

The rock is situated around 300 metres from the main land. Ferry services are being offered to and fro for visitors by Poompuhar shipping corporation. Ticket counters are always crowded. You have to stand in a long queue to get tickets for ferry. There are also special entry available which is a bit costlier compared to the normal service.

Ferry fee: (To and Fro) : Rs. 50/-

Special entry fee: Rs. 200/-

Entry fee for Vivekananda Rock Memorial: Rs. 20/-

Timing : 7:45 am to 4pm

Time Required : 2-3 hours

Thiruvalluvar Statue:

Thiruvalluvar Statue or the Valluvar Statue, is a 133-feet (40.6 metres) tall stone sculpture of the Tamil poet and philosopher Valluvar who is the author of the Tirukkural which is an ancient Tamil work. The statue is located on an island which is around 400 metres from the land. This is situated next to Vivekananda Rock Memorial rock. 2 rock islands one with Vivekananda Rock Memorial and other with Thiruvalluvar statue is a beautiful site. At evening both are decorated with lights adding to the beauty of these architectures. The statue was inaugurated in 2000.

Apart from the effect which it castes on visitors it Ha many other features. This stone sculpture has been built on 38 foot long pedestal to symbolize 38 chapters of virtue in the Thirukkural. Thiruvalluvar Statue is around 133 feet long when combined with the height of pedestal. The height of 133 feet is also symbolic of the 133 chapters in Thirukkural. Thirukkural, along with many great creations, was written by Thiruvalluvar. Also right hand's three fingers of the statue point upwards which denotes Aram(Virtue), Porul (Wealth), Inbam (Love), the three stanzas of Thirukural.

As such visitors are not allowed in this island currently but this might get open to visitors in future. You will get a good view from the boat and from Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Kanyakumari Devi Temple:

Kanyakumari Devi Temple is the most revered temple of the city. This temple has its foundation dating back to over 3000 years and worships Kanyakumari Devi in the form of an adolescent girl child. Devi is also known as Shree Baala Bhadra or Shree Baala. She is popularly known as "sakthi" or "Durga" or "Parvati" "Devi".

The Bhagavathy Temple is located in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, at the southern tip of main land India, thus located at triveni sangam( meeting place of 2 sea and one ocean namely Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean).

Kumari Amman Temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeethams – or divine abode of Goddess Shakti (divine feminine). According to Legend, the corpse of Goddess Sati was scattered into 51 parts throughout the Indian subcontinent. The places where the parts fell are now a sacred place of worship for Shakti worshippers. The goddess’s back is said to have fallen in Kanyakumari.

Folklores says the demon king Banasura(grand son of Mahabali) did penance to get a boon from Lord Shiva. He obtained a boon from Lord Shiva that he could be vanquished only by a virgin. Later he became the emperror of the three worlds. His evil ways had caused much agony to Devas,sages and saints. Unable to bear the harassment of the demon king Bhoomi Devi(Mother Earth) and the Devas approached Lord Vishnu and requested him to kill Banasura. Mahavishnu advised them to worship Sathi(Parvathy) the Goddess of the universe to vanquish the demon. Answering the prayers of the oppressed, Shakti appeared as Kumari(a young virgin girl) and promised to annihilate the evil, Banasura. Devi travelled to the southern-most tip of India, where she began to meditate upon Lord Shiva. As time went on she grew into a teenager. This is how the southern tip of India got the name Kanya Kumari, as kanya kumari means "a virgin teenaged girl" and commenced penance with the desire of marrying Shiva at Suchindram.

Lord Shiva (from nearby Suchindrum) was so enchanted by the beauty of Goddess Kumari that he decided to marry her. The divine sage, Narada, felt this would endanger the chances of destroying Banasura. Therefore, Narada had to find someway to scuttle the marriage.

First Narada tried to confuse Kanya Kumari, telling her that Shiva is not powerful than Banasura. Narada told the goddess that she should ask Shiva to bring three items that could not be obtained anywhere in the world in order to prove his identity. These were a coconut without eyes, a stalk of sugarcane without stump-joints and a betel leaf without veins. But Lord Shiva easily fulfilled this difficult challenge and the marriage continued to be scheduled.

Narada, fixed the midnight hour as the auspicious time for the wedding. When Shiva's procession reached a site by name Vazhukkumpaarai, Narada falsely heralded the break of dawn by assuming the form of a cock. On hearing the crowing of the cock, Lord Shiva presumed the auspicious hour had past, returned to Suchindrum. Meanwhile, in Kanyakumari all waited for Lord Shiva's arrival and eventually, when he didn't turn up, the wedding ceremonies were cancelled. The rice and other grains meant for the wedding feast remained uncooked. It is said that in Kanya Kumari's anger over Shiva not arriving that she scattered all the food items that had been assembled for the wedding. Today tourists can buy tiny stones which look like rice, in remembrance of the marriage that was never solemnized.

The disappointed Kumari Devi decided to do penance and continue with her quest to fight the evil forces of Banasura. The Devi resumed Her penance on the rock, now known as Sripadaparai, a few hundred metres offshore. Meanwhile, Banasura heard about the beauty of the girl and came to request Her hand in marriage. When Devi rejected the idea, the demon king decided to win her by force. This led to a fierce battle, which ended with Kanya Kumari slaying Banasura with her chakra (divine discus) in Mahadana Puram (4 km north of Kanya Kumari).

Lord Parasurama and Sage Narada requsted Devi to stay there till the end of Kaliyuga. The goddess agreed and remains at this place ever-dedicated to Lord Shiva and continues to perform austerities to this day with the hopes that he will one day unite with her.

Later Parasurama built a temple on the shores and installed a beautiful idol of Goddess Kanya Kumari.

Tsunami Monument:

Tsunami monument was built to remember and pay respect to the people who lost their lives in the 2004 tragic incident called Tsunami. Tamil Nadu was drastically affected during this period.

Gandhi Mandapam:

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial was built in the honour of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation. This is located near Kumari Amman Temple or you could say near sea shore.

Mahatma Gandhi has close connection with Kanyakumari and he has visited Kanyakumari twice, in the year of 1925 and then in 1937. After his assassination, his ashes were divided into 12 different urns and were scattered throughout the country for the general public to pay their last respect to this important figure. Kanyakumari was one of them. Gandhi Mandapam sits on the site where Gandhiji's ashes were kept before they were scattered to the sea. The speciality about this memorial is that it is constructed in such a way that on the day of Gandhiji's birthday (2nd October), the sunrays pass through a hole and fall exactly on the spot, where his ashes were kept.

Side view of Gandhi Mandapam

View from Gandhi Mandapam

Entry fee : No entry fee

Timing : 7 am to 7 pm

Time Required : less than 1 hour

Sun rise:

As dawn emerges

According to me Sun Rise in Kanyakumari is something that is not to be missed. This is one of the main attraction of the place. Before the sun rises itself you could see picteresque view of sky. It is like viewing a painter completing his paintings with his artistic skills. Yes, the changing colour of sky and nature emerging out of the darkness is a real beauty.

The sun rise gives you a feeling of a crimson orange ball rising out of the deep blue sea. The whole place will always be crowded with people who wants to get a glimpse of this beautiful happening.

Kanyakumari Pier:

Kanyakumari pier is a man-made extension covering almost 500 m from Kanyakumari to the sea. The music of waves crashing to the rocks and the view of the Pier from the land is alluring.

Thanumalayan Temple, Suchindram :

Continuing with the story of Kanya Kumari as described in Kumari Amman Temple Lord Shiva came to Suchindram during the same time to marry Devi. Thanumalayan Temple is also called Sthanumalayan Temple situated some 13 km away from the city of Kanyakumari.

It is one of the few temples in the country where the Trinity, ‘Brahma, Vishnu and Ishvara’, are worshipped. The religious significance of the temple is based on the fact that the main statue of linga represent Siva (Sthanu), Vishnu(Maal) and Brahma(Ayan), giving the temple its name Sthanumalayan Temple.

7 story Gopuram

It consists of around 30 shrines and presents captivating architecture. The carvings on the seven story white Gopuram are one of the best of its kind. Inside the temple there is a statue of Lord Hanuman stands majestically at a height of 22 feet, which is carved of a single block of granite. There is also a Nandi statue, made of mortar and lime, which is 13 feet tall and 21 feet long, it is one of the biggest Nandi statues in India.

Temple pond

Padmanabapuram Palace:

Ticket counter

Padmanabapuram Palace is a Palace belonging to the Travancore Kings of Kerala which dates back to 16th century. It is located near Nagercoil.

Artifacts of the palace

The interiors consist of intricately detailed rosewood carvings and immensely fine sculptures. The palace is well maintained by Government of Kerala. There are guides provided in each look and corner who explains the history and architecture of the palace. At the entrance itself there is a lamp with a horse, constructed in such a manner that whichever way it is turned hanged it will stay in that direction.

Peeping out of the Kilivathil ( Casement)

There are Chinese jars gifted by Chinese merchants, coins, ancient scripts scribblings, sculptures of Gods, weapons used in actual warfare, brass lamps, kitchen equipments, antique polished furniture and even an old style toilet. A medicinal coat present in the King’s room is built with 64 different kinds of woods with healing properties. There are a series of paintings depicting historical incidents and paintings of royal family members of Travancore. There is a performance hall where dances where being performed during old days. The small and big window construction throughout the palace is another attraction. Even though the palace is in tamilnadu, its under the control of kerala govt.