Introduction

Life in Kanyakumari revolves around this beach. It would be apt to say that Kanyakumari beach connotes the very essence of India’s southernmost city. On a holiday in Kanyakumari, you will end up spending most of your time on this beach as it is a brilliant burst of activity - a potpourri of traditions, legends, local culture and scenic beauty. Largely an asymmetrical coastline, one part of Kanyakumari beach serves as a bathing ghat, another remains moored with fishing boats, and the rest of it is a paved wall running along the rocks to keep the rough sea out. The rocks are scraggy and made slippery by the huge white waves crashing thunderously against them. And bringing in their wake a swarm of crabs. It is entertaining – and inspiring – to watch them try to scramble up the rock each time before being hurled back into the sea by an ebbing tide.

There is a very interesting legend associated with the multi-colored sand of Kanyakumari beach. It goes like this…Goddess Kanyakumari, an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi, was infuriated because Lord Shiva, the groom did not show up for the wedding. She cursed all the articles, ornaments and food that had been prepared for the occasion. Consequently, all this turned into sand and seashells of different shape, color and form that you see scattered along the coast today. She even wowed to stay a virgin all her life. On one end of the beach stands the 3000-year-old temple dedicated to Kanyakumari, the virgin goddess, who is believed to guard the shore.

Sit around in the evening on the paved wall, soak up the local sights and sounds, and take in a breathtaking sunset over the sea. You could also scale up the lighthouse for an unobstructed, panoramic view. Sunrises and sunsets from this beach are an experience unto itself, especially because this is where the waters of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea join the Indian Ocean. On a full moon day in April, one can witness sunset and moonrise simultaneously in the ocean’s horizon. Elephant ride is an interesting beach activity here. Interesting because most of these elephants stroll about without a howdah and if you wish to ride atop them you need to clamber up the rope thrown at you by the mahout! All the while you ride perched virtually on the elephant’s neck wondering if you are hurting or annoying the animal. Amid such nervous moments, the view grasped of the multi-colored beach, the bustling bazaar and ceaseless waves breaking on the rocks is extremely precious.

On the outer fringes of the beach, a colorful bazaar sprawls haphazardly and melts with the scenery. This local bazaar is an eclectic mix of little kiosks to proper shops selling South Indian silk sarees, coconut shell souvenirs, colorful Kathakali masks, patchwork and embroidered handbags, batik dress material, paintings, fresh coconut nectar, seashell jewelry, seashell artifacts and many other fascinating bric-a-brac. Not to mention stalls doing a smattering of traditional snacks such as idli and dosa with coconut chutney, sambar, lemon rice, vada, fruit beer and fresh fruit juices.

But it is the Vivekananda Rock Memorial that brings out the character of Kanyakumari, and completes the coastal scenery. Built on two rocks rising about 500 meters from the mainland, the legendary Vivekananda Rock has a large memorial hall on the spot where Swami Vivekananda is said to have meditated, a temple with a foot imprint of Goddess Kanyakumari and an underground meditation room. Boat trips to the legendary rock memorial are launched from this beach.

Special Attributes

This is Kanyakumari's beating heart.

Nuisance

Photographers; they persuade you to have your pictures taken against the backdrop of the rock memorial.

Dressing restrictions

Dress in whatever you find comfortable.

Connectivity

It is a walk away from the town center.

Enjoyed by

Families, Kids, Backpackers, Senior Citizens, Honeymooners

Exposure

You will be under the open sky. It gets very hot and sultry in the noon. And if you are visiting around then, wear a lot of sunscreen lotion, and carry your sunshades and a bottle of drinking water.

Avoidable Season

April, May, June, July, August, September

Facilities

Souvenir shops and food stalls

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction

Tip

The seashore is rocky and could be dangerous if you do not follow the safety parameters. People are warned to stay within the paved wall running along the beach.

Type of site

Beach Getaway