Kanyakumari or the Cape Comorin was once known as the Alexandria of the east. A hub of art, culture, civilization, and pilgrimage, it is famous for commerce and trade. The architecture here is inspired by Islam, Christianity and Jainism. Kanyakumari was ruled by the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks, some of the great rulers of Southern India.
The credit for the architectural beauty of the temples found in Kanyakumari can be credited to these rulers. Kanyakumari was given the name Cape Comorin by the British as it was easier for them to pronounce.Kanyakumari is believed to be the home of Kumari the Virgin Goddess. Kumari an avatar of Goddess Parvati, was supposed to wed Lord Shiva. But he did not turn up at the auspicious time and the wedding never took place. It was deemed that she should remain a virgin in order to save the world. The rice and cereals, which were to be used for the marriage, remained uncooked. The stones found at Kanyakumari resemble rice and cereals and today one can buy these stones. The locals believe that they are the leftovers of the legendary marriage that did not happen.
The Temple of the Virgin Goddess is the Kumari Amman Temple and it is a popular pilgrimage centre that dates back to the 8th Century. An 18th Century Shrine within the Temple contains the footprints of the Goddess.The Gandhi Memorial near the Temple is where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were kept before immersion. Every year on Gandhi’s Birthday on the 2nd of October the rays of the sun at midday fall on the exact place where the ashes were placed.Another historical highlight is the Church of Our Lady of Joy founded by St Francis Xavier in the 1540’s.Other attractions are the beautiful sandy beaches and multi coloured granite rocks that can be found here.