TOURISM

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Vydehi Falls

One of the most visited waterfalls Vydehi Falls are located 35 km from the heart of the city. The attractive location, scenic views and cascading waterfalls are alluring while the verdant region boasts of being home to a variety of birds and animals. It is easy to reach the falls as many autos and taxis are available for commuting.

Vellingiri Hill temple

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Just 40 km from the city limits is the magnificent Vellingiri Hill temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees climb the hil to seek the blessings of the Almighty and the surrounding area is rich in rare herbs that are in demand for their curative properties. The serene ambience is a prelude to the piety that can be sensed in and around the old temple.

Ramar temple

Situated in Ramnagar, the Ramar temple is one of the holy places that attract devotees all year round. Completely dedicated to Lord Ram, the rituals and ceremonies are conducted by deep faith. It is a prominent center of religious discourses and discussions in the city.

Kanyakumari Temple

Tourists who come to Kanyakumari make it a point to visit this 3000 year old temple. After all, there are probably very few temples that can match the extraordinary location of the Kumari Amman Temple - it stands at the confluence of three majestic oceans, namely the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

From historical records, it seems that the temple which is also known as Bhagwati Temple, was built by the Pandya Rulers and later expanded by the Nayaks. The entrance to the temple is through the northern gate and a stone wall surrounds the temple.

The Kumari Amman Temple is dedicated to Parvati in the form of Devi Kanya, the Virgin Goddess who did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. When the marriage failed to take place because of the machinations of the Sage Narada, the Goddess in her disappointment vowed to remain a virgin for the rest of her life.

The Virgin Goddess stands as a charming young girl doing her penance while holding a rosary in her right hand. A sparkling jewel adorns her nose. It is believed that this nose ring, set with sparkling rubies, is so bright that it is visible even from the sea at night.

Kanyakumari Beach

Known as the Land's end, the beach at Kanyakumari is the confluence of three water bodies, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Situated at a distance of 20 km to the south of Nagercoil, the Kanyakumari beach is known for its unusual multi-coloured sand.

The sea here is quite rough and the beach too is rocky; swimming is strictly prohibited here. Despite the inhospitable nature of this beach, it still attracts visitors from across the country. They come here to see the famed sunsets and sunrises on the beaches, which are truly spectacular.

Other tourist attractions include the Vivekanda Rock Memorial and the 133 ft high statue of Tamil poet-saint Tiruvalluvar - both on the mid-sea on rocky islands.