Kanyakumari district lies in the southern most tip of Peninsular India. This place is very beautiful as people from different parts of India come here and visits its spots as well. The district Kanyakumari is famous for its majestic hills, virgin beaches, pristine rivers and meandering rivulets. The district has a fragrance of architecture culture and customs of neighbouring Kerala mixed with the rich deep traditions, culture and architecture of Tamil Nadu as well. But tourists often come and go by only seeing just Kanyakumari and Padmanabhapuram Palace. It was at this juncture that the district administration decided to take up tourism promotion initiatives in a major way. Attempt has been made to put up basic amenities at the virgin beautiful spots so as to facilitate the inflow of the tourists.

There are many places present in Kanyakumari that are regarded as tourist places but some of the important of them are discussed below:

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial
The place has been associated with great men like Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. Memorials have been made here by the name of each great man at this place. They are very beautiful and add to the attraction of this place also. The beautiful Gandhi Memorial completed in 1956. This is situated as a memorial to the Father of the Nation. Mahatma Gandhi visited Kanyakumari twice in the year of 1925 and 1937 respectively. In 1948 his ashes were immersed in the seawaters in Kanyakumari. In commemoration of this event a beautiful monument has been constructed here. The memorial was under the administrative control of the Public Information and Public Relations Department since1978.

Thiruvalluvar Statue:
Thiruvalluvar is the immortal poet of Tamil Nadu. The memorial statue of Thiruvalluvar is present in Kanyakumari. The pedestal of the statue is of 38 feet height and the statue over it is 95 feet tall. Thus all total this entire sculpture is of 133 feet height. The 3-tier pedestal, which is known as Atharapeedam, is surrounded by an artistic Mandapa. This mandapa is known as Alankara Mandapam with 38 feet height. To help the tourists to worship the holy feet of Thiruvalluvar 140 steps are constructed inside the Mandapa. The pedestal with a height of 38 feet represents the 38 chapters in the Book of Aram in Thirukural and the statue of 95 feet on the pedestal represents the total chapters in Porul i.e. 70 chapters and Inbam i.e. 25 Chapters. Thus the statue symbolically, and artistically signifies that the theme of Porul and Inbam are based on Aram. This place is an important one for the historians.

Kamarajar Manimandapam
Another monument Kamarajar Manimandapam is also very famous. This is dedicated to Late. Sri. Kamarajar. He was a freedom fighter and Former Chief minister of Tamil Nadu. He was also the President of Indian National Congress. He was popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses and king maker during congress regime. This monument was constructed where his ashes were kept here for public to pay homage before immersion into the sea.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Vivekananda Rock Memorial is another place in Kanyakumari, which attracts large number of tourists. As its name implies, it is essentially a sacred monument, built by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee to commemorate the visit of Swamy Vivekananda to "Shripada Parai" during 24th, 25th and 26th December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment.

View Tower and Telescope House:
Panoramic view of landscape, seashore, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue etc., can be seen at View Tower and through Telescope.

Kumari - Hall of history:
It is located at the south side of Kanyakumari Railway Station. This place exhibits the pictures of historical wonders and also comprised rare photographs of Kamarajar, Gandhiji and other freedom fighters.

Suchindrum:
Suchindrum is a small village situated at about 12 km. from Kanyakumari and about seven kilometres from Nagercoil. This holy place is located on the bank of the river Pazhayar, adjoining fertile fields and coconut groves and the temple is dedicated to Sri Sthanumalayan. The word denotes Siva, Vishnu and Brahmma. This can be explained as Sthanu represents Siva, Mal represents Vishnu while Ayan represents Brahma i.e. Siva, Vishnu and Brahma in "One Form". Suchindrum means the place where Indra attained `Suchi` i.e. purification. This place is well visited by the tourists as there are very less number of temples that have the idol of trinity.

Mathoor Hanging Bridge
The Mathoor Hanging Trough is the tallest as well as the longest trough bridge in Asia. This bridge is 115 feet height and one kilometer lengthy. This was constructed in 1966. This bridge has become a place of tourist importance and hundreds of tourists visit this place every time they visit Kanyakumari. This is situated in Mathoor, hamlet of Aruvikkarai revenue village in Thiruvattar Panchayat Union.

The trough has a height of seven feet with a width of seven feet six inches. 28 huge pillars are shouldering the canal. At the time of Thiru. K. Kamaraj, who was the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, this canal was constructed as a drought relief measure and for the development of agriculture in Vilavancode and Kalkulam Taluks. The District Administration has recently put up a staircase from top to the bottom of the bridge and also built children`s park and bathing platforms over here. This place is very popular among the tourists as both aged and children can enjoy at the same time.

The Navarathri Mandapa
To the west of the Zuppirika Mandapa there is the Navarathri Mandapa. This is a spacious hall of exquisitely beautiful granite pillars with drooping pendants reminiscent of the Nayakar style of architecture. In the Navarathri Mandapa, performances of Bharatha Natya and musical recitals took place in the royal presence. Royal people enjoy this with full enthusiasm.

Pechiparai Dam
This dam has been constructed about 43 km. from Nagercoil. This dam in Kalkulam Taluk was built during the days of the Maharaja Sri Moolam Thirunal across the river Kodayar. The construction of the dam was designed on the pattern of the Periyar dam in the Madurai district. This 425.1mts lengthy dam has a catchments area of 204.8 sq. km. There is a camp shed provided at the dam side for the visitors. The weather is very pleasant here. This place often attracts a large number of tourists. Dense forests that are famous for their valuable trees surround the reservoir. These forests are also full of wild animals such as tiger, elephants, deer etc. `Kanikars` is the tribe that lives in this place but they are very small in number.

Tirparappu Water Falls
This falls is present at the distance of about 13 km. from Pechiparai dam. The riverbed is rocky and about 300 feet in length. The water falls from a height of nearly 50 feet. The water flows for about seven months in a year. The whole bed above the falls is one rocky mass, which extends up to a distance of about quarter of a kilometer upstream. There is a temple situated nearby dedicated to Siva enclosed by strong fortification. The District Administration has recently constructed a swimming pool for children over here. This is very popular among the children. This is located at the distance of 13 km. from Pechiparai dam.

Maruthuva Malai
The Maruthuva Malai is also known as the Marunthu Vazhum Malai. This place is known as the abode of medicinal herbs, forms from part of the Western Ghats. According to tradition, the Maruthuva Malai is a fragment of the Sanjeevi Mountain, a piece of which fell down here, and it was carried by Hanuman from Mahendragiri to Srilanka for healing the fatal wounds of Lakshmana. It stretches for more than a km, reaching a height of 800 feet at the highest point. It is about 11km. from Nagercoil.

ChitharalChitharal
This is a small village situated at a distance of 7 Kms. from Marthandam and 45 Kms, from Kanyakumari. It is famous for the Rock-cut temple. There is a Hillock present at Chitharal. This hillock has a cave containing Rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendant deities. These are carved inside and outside of the caves dating back to 9th Century A.D. It was converted into Bagavathy Temple in the 13th Century A.D. Cars and Vans can go up to the foot of the hill. One has to walk for about 10 minutes to reach the temple. The Jain images have been preserved Central Archeological Survey of India.

Ulakkai Aruvi
Ulakkai Aruvi is a natural waterfall. This is situated in Azhagiapandipuram village of Thovalai Taluk. Water is available in this waterfall in the summer season. Many tourists come here for bathing and to enjoy the nature. Bathing in this waterfall is really refreshing. The pathway to this waterfall lies in the Reserve Forest as well.

Mukkadal
This is a natural dam. T. Chitirai Maharaja constructed this. It supplies water to Nagercoil Municipality and it is also proposed to get water from here for Suchindrum and Kanyakumari. It is very picturesque spot and ideal for picnics by groups.

Bay Watch (Water Theme Amusement Park), Kanyakumari:
The water theme amusement park at sunset point offers a unique way to experience the exotic grandeur of Kanyakumari in its integrals. Bay watch comes up with a wholesome family entertainment of ecstatic experience Great fun styles equaling international standards keep you on the ecstatic brink of frenzy. Some of the fun loaded rides like Bumping Car, Sky Cab, Crazy Chairs, Hot Tea Cups, Giant Wheel, Columbus, Wave pool, Milky Way, Multiple Splash, Kids Pool are some of our attractions. The location being a prominent place of national integration, by all means, Baywatch has become the abode of leisure, happiness laughter, family gatherings, etc. The search for providing unique and multiple entertainment facilities that match with international standards pave the way for introduction of India`s first Wax Museum, which is line with the Madam Tussauds Wax Museum at London.

How to Reach Kanyakumari By Air : Thiruvnanthapuram (Kerala State) 87 km from Kanyakumari.
By Rail : Kanyakumari Junction (1 km from Central Bys Stand). Nagercoil Junction (2 km from Anna Bus Stand)
By Bus:Kanyakumari Central & Express Bus Stand. Nagarcoil Anna Bus Stand (Local Transport). Christopher Bus Stand (Other Districts).

More on Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari Beaches
Forts & Palaces in Kanyakumari
Government Museum , Kanyakumari
Temples & Churches of Kanyakumari