Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari Cape Comorin | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Kanyakumari | |
| Nickname(s): "Evergreen town of India", "God's own district" | |
  Kanyakumari Show map of Tamil Nadu  Kanyakumari Show map of India | |
| Coordinates: 8°05′02″N 77°32′46″E / 8.084°N 77.546°E / 8.084; 77.546Coordinates: 8°05′02″N 77°32′46″E / 8.084°N 77.546°E / 8.084; 77.546 | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Kanyakumari |
| Named for | Devi Kanya Kumari |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Panchayat |
| • Body | Kanyakumari Municipality |
| • District Collector | Sh. Prashant M. Wadnere, IAS |
| Area | |
| • Total | 25.89 km2 (10.00 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 30 m (100 ft) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 29,761 |
| • Density | 665/km2 (1,720/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 629 702,629 001,629 165 |
| Telephone code | 91-4652 |
| Vehicle registration | TN 74 & TN 75 |
| Website | www.kanyakumari.tn.nic.in |
Kanyakumari, (formerly known as Cape Comorin) is a city of the Kanyakumari district in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It is the southernmost city of peninsular/contiguous India. Kanyakumari has been a city since the Sangam period.[1][2] and is a popular tourist destination.[3]
Contents
1 History
1.1 Etymology
1.2 Legend
2 Demographics
3 Geography
4 Notable landmarks[9]
4.1 Thiruvalluvar Statue
4.2 Vivekananda Rock Memorial
4.3 Gandhi Memorial Mandapam
4.4 Tsunami Memorial Park
4.5 Bhagavathy Amman Temple
4.6 Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument
5 Tourism
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
History
Etymology
The place derives its name from the goddess Devi Kanya Kumari, considered to be the sister of Krishna, a goddess is believed to remove the rigidity from the mind, to whom women pray for marriage. In 1656, the Dutch East India company conquered Portuguese Ceylon from the Portuguese, and the name eventually corrupted to "Comorin" and was called Cape Comorin during British rule in India. The city was later renamed Kanyakumari by the Government of India and the Government of Madras.
Legend
According to a Hindu legend, Kanya Devi, an avatar of Parvati, was to marry Shiva, who failed to show up on his wedding day. Rice and other grains meant for the wedding feast remained uncooked and unused.[4] As the legend goes, the uncooked grains turned into stones as time went by. Some believe that the small stones on the shore today, which look like rice, are indeed grains from the wedding that was never solemnised. Kanya Devi is now considered a virgin goddess who blesses pilgrims and tourists who flock the town. Her temple located in Kanyakumari is a Shakti Peetha or a holy shrine.
According to another Hindu legend, Lord Hanuman dropped a piece of earth as he was carrying a mountain with his life-saving herb, Mrita Sanjivani, from the Himalayas to Lanka (Sri Lanka) during the Rama-Ravana war. This chunk of earth is called Marunthuvazh Malai, literally "hills where medicine lives". This is said to be the reason for the abundance of unique native medicinal plants in the area. Marunthuvazh Malai is located near Kottaram about 7 km (4 mi) from Kanyakumari town on the Kanyakumari-Nagercoil highway. The sage Agasthya, who was an expert in medicinal herbs, is believed to have lived around this site in ancient days. It is believed to be the reason so many medicinal herbs are found on the hills near Kanyakumari. A nearby village is named Agastheeswaram after the sage. Today, there is a small ashram on the middle of the Maruthuvazh Malai hill, which tourists visit (after a short trek from the base of the hill), both to visit the Ashram and also to take a glimpse of the sea near Kanyakumari a few kilometres away, and the greenery below.[4]
Demographics
As of the census of India 2001, Kanyakumari had a population of 19,739, comprising 9,884 males and 9,855 females, making the sex ratio (number of females per thousand males) of the town to 997. A total of 2,403 people were under six years of age and the child sex ratio (number of females per thousand males under six years of age) stood at 1,024. The town had an average literacy of 88.62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. There were a total of 4,236 households in the town. As of 2001, Kanyakumari had a total of 5,929 main workers: 11 cultivators, 78 agricultural labourers, 66 in house hold industries and 5,774 other workers. There were a total of 119 marginal workers: 4 marginal cultivators, 3 marginal agricultural labourers, 11 marginal workers in household industries and 101 other marginal workers.[5]
Geography
Kanyakumari is located at 8°05′N 77°34′E / 8.08°N 77.57°E / 8.08; 77.57.[6] and has an average elevation of 300 metres. Kanyakumari lies at the meeting point of the Arabian Sea, the Laccadive Sea and the Bay of Bengal. It is located at the confluence of the Western Coastal Plains and Eastern Coastal Plains.
Kanyakumari is at the southern tip and is the southernmost point of the contiguous Indian Subcontinent. However, the southernmost point of Republic of India is at Indira Point on Great Nicobar Island, at 6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E. The nearest city is Thiruvananthapuram (85 km) and airport is Trivandrum International Airport, Trivandrum , Kerala and the nearest town is Nagercoil, the administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District is 22 km (14 mi) away.
| Climate data for Kanyakumari | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 28.9 (84.0) | 30.6 (87.1) | 32.2 (90.0) | 32.7 (90.9) | 32.4 (90.3) | 30.7 (87.3) | 31.8 (89.2) | 31.9 (89.4) | 30.6 (87.1) | 30.4 (86.7) | 30.1 (86.2) | 29.3 (84.7) | 31.0 (87.7) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 23.4 (74.1) | 23.8 (74.8) | 25.1 (77.2) | 26.1 (79.0) | 26.1 (79.0) | 24.6 (76.3) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24.3 (75.7) | 24.3 (75.7) | 24 (75) | 23.8 (74.8) | 24.5 (76.0) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 10 (0.4) | 23 (0.9) | 36 (1.4) | 81 (3.2) | 56 (2.2) | 86 (3.4) | 44 (1.7) | 42 (1.7) | 37 (1.5) | 166 (6.5) | 203 (8.0) | 75 (3.0) | 859 (33.9) |
| Average precipitation days | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 11.3 | 9 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 10.1 | 11.2 | 5.3 | 72.9 |
| Source: World Weather Information Service,[7] | |||||||||||||
[8]
Notable landmarks[9]
Thiruvalluvar Statue
Thiruvalluvar Statue
The Thiruvalluvar Statue has a height of 95 feet (29 m) and stands upon a 38 foot (11.5 m) rock that represents the 38 chapters of "virtue" in the Thirukkural. The statue standing on the rock represents "wealth" and "pleasures", signifying that wealth and love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of solid virtue.[10] The combined height of the statue and pedestal is 133 feet (40.5 m), denoting the 133 chapters in the Thirukkural. It has a total weight of 7000 tons.The statue, with its slight bend around the waist is reminiscent of a dancing pose of the ancient Indian deities like Nataraja. It was sculpted by the Indian sculptor Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, who also created the Iraivan Temple. Its opening ceremony was on 1 January 2000. The monument was hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004.[11] but stood unaffected. The statue is designed to survive earthquakes of unexpected magnitude, such as magnitude 6 on the Richter Scale occurring within 100 kilometers. This is far beyond that of any event recorded in the regional history. During maintenance work, as well as during rough sea, entry is restricted for tourists[12].
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 metres east of the mainland of Vavathurai. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock.[1] According to local legends, it was on this rock that Goddess Kumari performed austerity. A meditation hall (Dhyana Mandapam) is also attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. It houses a statue of Vivekananda.[3] The rocks are surrounded by the Laccadive Sea. The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam.
Gandhi Memorial Mandapam
Gandhi Memorial Mandapam, Kanyakumari
The Gandhi Memorial Mandapam has been built on the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. Resembling central Indian Hindu temples in form, the memorial was designed in a way that on Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept.[3]
Tsunami Memorial Park
Tsunami Memorial, Kanyakumari
Near Kanyakumari's southern shore stands a monument to the memory of those who died in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, an underwater megathrust earthquake that claimed around 280 000 lives in many countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Thailand, Maldives and Indonesia. People from places near and far visit this monument to pay homage to all those who lost their lives.
Bhagavathy Amman Temple
Bhagavathy Amman Temple
Bhagavathy Amman Temple is a 3000-year-old temple dedicated to Goddess Kumari Amman located at Kanyakumari. Kumari Amman is one of the form of Devi, popularly known as “Kumari Bhagavathy Amman”. Kumari Bhagavathy Amman temple is the first Durga temple created by Lord Parasurama and one of the 108 Shakthi Peethas. This temple is situated at the shore of the Laccadive Sea. The Kumari temple has been mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabharata and Purananooru.[13][better source needed]
Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument
Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument was raised and dedicated to a freedom fighter and Former Chief minister of Tamil Nadu, President of Indian National Congress, Mr Kamarajar. He's also popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses. Like the Gandhi Mantapa, this place is where Kamarajar's ashes were kept for the public to pay homage before immersion into the sea.[14][better source needed]
Tourism
The ferries transporting tourists from mainland to the islands can be seen with one returning to the mainland and the other one about to stop at the Tiruvalluvar statue after carrying over tourists from Vivekananda Rock
The state-owned Poompuhar Shipping Corporation runs ferry services between the town and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue, situated on rocky islets off the coast. The operation of the ferry service began in 1984. Two ferries were used to ferry the tourists until June 2013, after which a new ferry was added to the service on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Swamy Vivekananda.[15] Kanyakumari is directly connected by rail with almost all metropolitan cities in India.[16] The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 90 km (56 mi) from Kanyakumari Town and 70 km (43 mi) from Nagercoil.[17] Kanyakumari is 744 km (462 mi) from Chennai.[18]
See also
- Devi Kanya Kumari
- Tamil Nadu
- Thirparappu
- Kinnikannanvilai
- Travancore
- Shuchindram
- Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil
References
^ Kanakasabhai, V (1997). The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago. Asian Educational Services. p. 10. ISBN 8120601505..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ Abraham, Shinu (2003). "Chera, Chola, Pandya: using archaeological evidence to identify the Tamil kingdoms of early historic South India". Asian Perspectives. 42.
^ abc Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 179.
^ ab "Legends of Kanya Kumari". Amritapuri. 8 February 2000. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
^ "Primary census abstract 2001". Directorate of Census Operations – Tamil Nadu. 2001. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Kanyakumari
^ "Climatological Information for Kanyakumari". World Weather Information Service.
^ http://en.climate-data.org/location/34132/
^ http://districts.ecourts.gov.in/kanyakumari/our-district
^ http://districts.ecourts.gov.in/tn/kanyakumari
^ "DETAILS ABOUT THE STATUE OF THIRUVALLUVAR". National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/entry-to-thiruvalluvar-statue-suspended-for-6-months-for-maintenance-work/articleshow/58230822.cms
^ "History of Kumari Amman Temple".
^ "Places to Visit in Kanyakumari". TripAdvisor. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
^ "Third ferry service launched in Kanyakumari". The Hindu. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
^ "Kanyakumari railway station needs better infrastructure". The Hindu. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
^ "Kanyakumari". Retrieved 22 February 2012.
^ "Kanyakumari District". Retrieved 22 February 2012.
External links
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kanyakumari. |
- Kanyakumari District Government Portal
Kanyakumari travel guide from Wikivoyage
Kanyakumari travel guide from WikivoyageKanyakumari District | |||||||||
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