Top 13 Things to Do in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Feel the Rush of Water at Courtallam Falls

If you want to get out of the city, a trip to the roaring waters of Courtallam Falls is a great way to do just that. It takes about three hours to drive the 76 miles (123 kilometers) to the natural park, but once you get there, you'll find nine beautiful waterfalls that have been featured as a backdrop in many classic and contemporary Bollywood films. It was also a subject that the poet Thirukudarasappa Kavirayar sang about in his work, "Kutraala Kuravanji." In the summer, you may be able to witness Saral Vizha, an eight-day festival where people come to bathe in the falls, whose water is said to contain therapeutic properties. The nearest town is Tenkasi, which also has a train station if you prefer to travel by rail.

Savor the Local Cuisine

Every region of India can proudly present its most treasured dishes, and Tamil Nadu and the town of Kanyakumari are no different. Here, you can try everything from savory appam pancakes, which are made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk, to dishes like maravazhi kilangu, which is a boiled tapioca root with fish curry. You can also expect to find a lot of jackfruit and banana used in the local cuisine, with pazha bajji—ripe bananas dipped in batter and fried in hot oil—a must-try treat. To wash it all down, try some tropical drinks like Nungu Sarbath, a palm fruit-based juice.

Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Revered Indian poet and Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda visited Kanyakumari in 1892, towards the end of an extensive trip across India as a wandering monk. His transformation into an influential leader and reformer is attributed to the three days he spent meditating on a large offshore rock, where Goddess Kanya Kumari is said to have carried out part of her penance by standing on one foot. According to ancient Hindu texts, the Puranas, the rock was blessed by the touch of her foot.

A memorial was built on the rock in 1970 to honor Swami Vivekananda. It consists of a pavilion with a life-size bronze statue of Swami, a hall with information about his life, and a meditation area. There's also a carving of the Goddess' foot on the rock.

Visit the Thiruvalluvar Statue

A towering statue of the great Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar stands on a smaller neighboring rock, just off the coast of Kanyakumari. The foundation stone was laid in 1979 and the work was completed 20 years later, in 1999. Ferries to Vivekananda Rock Memorial stop at the Thiruvalluvar statue afterward if the tide permits. It's possible to go inside the base of the statue and climb the stairs up to its feet for a superb view, as long as it's not closed for periodic maintenance.

Bathe at Triveni Sangam

The remarkable confluence where the oceans merge, known as Triveni Sangam, is considered to be powerful and sacred. A dip in the water is said to wash away all sins and provide liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Even if you don't want to participate in the ritual, it's still worth spending some time at this unique place and contemplating its essence. Depending on the tide and weather, you may even be able to distinguish the oceans from each other, based on variations in their shades of blue.

Watch the Sunrise and Sunset

Priceless sunrises and sunsets, on Kanyakumari's watery horizon, are among the finest in India. Sunrise, alongside the Thiruvalluvar statue, is arguably the most majestic of the two. However, sunsets are particularly special on full moon nights, when the moon rises from the sea opposite the setting sun at about the same time. The following morning, it's possible to see the sun rising and the full moon setting together. Seaside sunset views are best enjoyed from the beach between December and February (and are only really visible from mid-October to mid-March).

Pay Your Respects to Goddess Kanya Kumari

The town's 3,000-year-old Kumari Amman Temple (also known as Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Temple) is dedicated to Goddess Kanya Kumari, who is worshiped as a great protector after destroying the mighty demon king Banasura. This important temple sits by the sea near Triveni Sangam and has a beautiful black stone idol of the goddess. The standout feature is her sparkling bejeweled nose ring. Non-Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, but photography is prohibited. If visiting in October, try to visit during the Navratri Festival.

See Where Gandhi's Ashes Were Kept

Mahatma Gandhi visited Kanyakumari a couple of times, and some of his ashes were scattered into the sea there on February 12, 1948. A memorial was later constructed at the location where the ashes were kept for public viewing, near Kumari Amman Temple. Its architecture resembles that of temples in Odisha and the design is quite exceptional. Every year at noon on October 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, the sun's rays fall through a hole in the temple's roof and onto the place where the ashes sat in an urn.

Browse the Shops and Stalls

Shells, painted shells, handicrafts made from shells, and products decorated with shells dominate the souvenir selection at Kanyakumari. They're sold everywhere and collectors will love them! You can even get a customized shell with your name engraved on it. Vendors line the seafront walkway with an array of colossal shells. You'll find more in the shops on atmospheric Sannathi Street, which is the main market area that leads to Kumari Amman Temple. This market has shops selling lovely woven handloom saris as well.

Explore Vattakottai Fort and Beach

About 15 minutes north of Kanyakumari, the 18th-century Vattakottai Fort dates back to the rule of the Venad kings of Travancore who developed the area as a coastal military base. It was the last seaside fort they built and it is now being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The fort provides fantastic views of the Bay of Bengal and the Western Ghats, making it a good spot for photography. There are no entry fees to visit.

Go on a Day Trip to Padmanabhapuram Palace

About an hour northwest of Kanyakumari, the town of Padmanabhapuram is a popular day trip with regal heritage. It was once the capital of the princely state of Travancore before the king relocated the capital to Trivandrum (now the capital of Kerala) in 1795. The main attraction is Padmanabhapuram Palace, which dates back to 1600. The largest wooden palace in Asia, it boasts admirable craftsmanship and architecture—particularly with the detailed woodwork on the walls and ceilings. The palace complex includes a museum and is spread out over more than six acres within a fort.

Be Dazzled at Thovalai Flower Market

You probably wouldn't expect one of Asia's largest wholesale flower markets to be in a village 30 minutes north of Kanyakumari. The area around Thovalai specializes in growing flowers, particularly an unusual variety of jasmine, and the market there brims with piles of scented buds. Vibrant roses and marigolds add to the colorful spectacle. The market opens before sunrise, so plan to get there early before all the best flowers are gone.

Drive Through One of the World's Largest Wind Farms

If you're interested in renewable energy, you can combine a trip to the Thovalai flower market with a drive through Muppandal Wind Farm by continuing about 15 minutes further along National Highway 944. Notably, it's one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world and India's biggest source of wind energy.

Its motley assembly of more than 3,000 turbines stretches for miles, curiously intermingled with palm trees and banana plants. The farm produces 1,500 megawatts of power in total; to put that into perspective, a single 2-megawatt wind turbine can power 400 houses. The fact that the turbines are sponsored and commissioned by private companies accounts for the lack of uniformity in their design.