Hyderabad

Apr, 29

Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana in Southern India, situated on the banks of the Musi River and on the Deccan Plateau. Hyderabad and Secunderabad are "twin

urban communities" close Hussain Sagar Lake (otherwise called Tank Bund in nearby speech) however the two urban communities have developed so much that now they have turned out to be one major city. The city and region of Hyderabad are coterminous. Hyderabad locale is completely contained inside the Ranga Reddy region of Telangana. A significant number of suburbia of Hyderabad were as of late converged into the city, presently called Greater Hyderabad.

A city rich with history and convention, Hyderabad currently rivals Bangalore and Chennai for the crown of India's IT capital; Microsoft and Google have their India
home office here.

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On the off chance that you are venturing out to Hyderabad on business — as is progressively the situation now — it is not entirely obvious the 400-year-old Hyderabad. The city that quickly hits the eye

is a rambling city of shopping centers and places of business with glass veneers. The entire of the city is by all accounts under development or remodel and the streets

are stuck in light of the fact that flyovers are being developed. It is a great city in numerous faculties.

The "old city" that was at one time the seat of the Nizam, the leader of the biggest and the most extravagant "august state", and the twin city of Secunderabad where the British

kept up a cantonment to keep the military inside striking separation of the Nizam can be seen just in the event that you take the opportunity to see them.

Hyderabad's numerous appellations incorporate the City of Pearls, the City of Nawabs, the Biryani City and, in view of its innovative draw, Cyberabad.

Via plane

Hyderabad's new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (IATA: HYD) is found 22 km (14 mi) from the city. Note that the old air terminal at Begumpet is currently shut, with the exception of

for use by VIPs. The smooth and efficient air terminal is a standout amongst the best flying offices in India. The raised road to the airplane terminal is currently open and takes 20

minutes. Direct universal network from Hyderabad is accessible for some nations. Universal transporters working from Hyderabad are Air India, British Airways,

Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Silk Air, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways.

Residential network is superb with Indian aircrafts working from here including Air India, Air India Express, Indian Airlines, Indigo Airlines, Trujet and SpiceJet.

Old city is the authentic area of Hyderabad. The majority of the verifiable attractions are arranged in the old city.

Charminar. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, shut on F 1PM-2PM for supplications. Truly "Four minarets", this structure was worked at the very spot at which Quli Qutb Shah petitioned God for the

end to the plague pandemic. The Charminar has for some time been the symbol of Hyderabad. The towers ascend to a tallness of 48.7 m over the ground. It has 140 stages. Spray painting on

the dividers have reduced the excellence of the Charminar. There is a mosque with 45 supplication spaces situated inside in the upper stories. The structure remains in the

center of a bustling street with vehicular traffic, yet a pedestrianization venture is in progress. On the minarets, you get an all encompassing perspective on Hyderabad city. At the very

base of one of the minar is a Hindu sanctuary. The traffic is not exactly perfect. Plan an early morning trip around 9 a.m. in the event that shopping isn't on your plan for the day. Rs 5, Children

beneath 11 free (for Indians), Rs 100 (for outsiders), Video cameras are charged Rs 25 additional. alter

Mecca Masjid, (SW of the Char Minar). Mecca Masjid is one of the most seasoned mosques in the city and effectively the greatest. Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah started fabricating it in

1617 under the supervision of Mir Faizullah Baig and Rangiah Choudhary. Mughal sovereign Aurangzeb finished the development in 1694. The mosque is a rock

goliath with striking innards. The primary corridor of the mosque is 75 feet high, 220 feet wide and 180 feet long, sufficiently enormous to suit ten thousand admirers at

a period. It is trusted that Muhammed Quli appointed blocks to be made with the dirt brought from Mecca and drafted them into the development of the focal

curve of the mosque, which clarifies the name of the mosque. It is obligatory for ladies to have a dupatta/shawl so as to be allowed section into the premises. 

Mecca Masjid

Chowmahalla Palace, Khilwat, 20-4-236, Motigalli, ☎ +91 40 2452-2032, . Sa-Th 10AM-5PM, shut on National Holidays. Arranged close Charminar, it was the

seat of the Asaf Jahi line where the Nizam engaged his official visitors and imperial guests. Rs 40 (for Indians), Rs 150 (for outsiders), camera grant Rs 50.

Falaknuma Palace. Worked by Nawab Viqar al-Umra in 1872, Falaknuma is a dazzling bit of engineering and the most extravagant of the Nizam's castles. The inside is

especially great and highlights crafted by Florentine stone carvers and a 100-seater Dining Table. The castle has been changed over into a lodging kept running by the Taj gathering

furthermore, is never again available to overall population.

Golconda Fort. 7AM-8PM. The Golconda Fort was the capital of the Qutb Shahi kingdom. Put aside at least 2 hr to do equity to your visit - the external divider

measures 10 km. Finding out a little about the post early is prescribed as it is anything but difficult to get confounded or lost in the gigantic space. In the event that you acknowledge one of the nearby

guides - who hustle you at the passage door - attempt to pick one who really knows his stuff (Rs 500 for each visit and the guide would likewise approach you for tips at last, in any case

it is altogether up to you whether to give tips or not), instead of somebody who was in reality simply cruising by, spotted you and will disclose to you bits he once read in a manual.

The certifiable old Muslim guide who picked up his comprehensive learning of Golconda as a newborn child from his multi year old grandma knows the historical backdrop of every last bit of

the spot and will demonstrate you with skill the reverberation/design framework incorporated with the fortification that the ruler utilized as a correspondence/spying framework. There is additionally a light

what's more, stable show - the narrative of Golkonda - for 60 minutes, which could be a little boring,(price for outsiders Rs 50/100 for typical/official ticket) after dusk enduring ~1h

that reveals to you the narrative of the fortification and merits seeing. The English show runs Nov-Feb 6:30PM every day and Mar-Oct until 7PM day by day. Hindi and Telugu indicates are run

a short time later in certain days. A short time later, have a meander through the minor lanes and shops encompassing the fortress. The wonderful scruffy old shops and houses will offer you

everything from naan bread to bangles, and the blurring and pompous old painted doors and houses are a joy, just like the inviting local people. Rs 100 all.

Qutubshahi Tombs

Qutb Shahi Tombs (1 km north of Golconda fortification, drew closer through Banjara Darwaza), . Sa-Th 9:30AM-5:30PM. The Qutubshahi mosques in Hyderabad are so

named on the grounds that they were worked by the Qutubshahi administration. The greater part of them were worked by Quli Qutb Shah, the organizer. Tragically in May 2010 neighborhood papers uncovered that

poor 'rebuilding' work supposedly utilizing incompetent work with street drills (purchased in by one government office that didn't try to look for expert exhortation or

illuminate the neighborhood archeological or condition divisions) has been harming these delightful structures. Rs 10, camera Rs 20.

Qutub Shahi Tombs Site Museum, Hyderabad-8, ☎ +91 40 2351 341. Sa-Th 9AM-4:30PM. Rs 2. a

H.E.H The Nizam's Museum, Purani Haveli, Hyderabad-2 (Behind Princess Durru Shehvar Children's Hospital), ☎ +91 40 2452 1029. Sa-Th 10AM-5PM. Home to the

popular closet of Mahbub Ali Pasha, who is said never to have worn something very similar twice. It is the world's longest closet, worked in two dimensions with a hand-turned

wooden lift(elevator) set up. This possesses the whole length of one wing of the castle. Elusive, take little street alongside Princess Durru Shehwar Hospital,

entrance door at N17 22.002 E78 28.975 Rs 50, understudies and youngsters Rs 15.

Hussain Shah Wali Dargah.

Moula Ali Dargah. 400 stairs conveys you to a position of love worked by the Asif Jahis. The Moula Ali Dargah was worked in the memory of Hazrat Ali, the child in-law of the

Prophet Muhammad. Legend has it that Yakoob, an eunuch in the court of Ibrahim Quli, went to the slope after he saw Hazrat Ali situated on it. Amazingly, he saw the

impression of Ali's palm on a stone, which he had envisioned. He had the impression removed and introduced in a hallowed place. Ibrahim Shah later assembled a mosque close to the

dargah. An Ashurkhana , a Baradari (structure) and a Nqqar khana (place for thumping drums) were worked amid the Qutb Shahi period.

Osmania Arts College. Worked amid the time of the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. The impressive veneer of the structure is an incredible sight.

Paigah Tombs, Santoshnagar (Pisal Banda). daytime. These tombs have a place with the 'Paigah' nobles (tied by blood and marriage to the Nizams) and are around 200 years

old. These novel lime and mortar tombs are delightfully cut and have marble trim work on them. Loosening up condition with flying creature singing. N17 20.639 E78 30.248 appears to be free.

Purani Haveli, Dewandevdi (SE of Afzalganj Bridge). Sa-Th 10:30AM-5PM. Initially, the castle of the Nizam's Prime Minister, later it was revamped and turned into the quarters of the Nizam's child. It is a U-molded complex with a solitary storeyed structure in the European style. 

Raymond Tomb, Dilsukh Nagar, Asmaan Gadh. Michel Raymond, a French hired fighter, was a military authority in the administration of the second Nizam and furthermore his dear companion. His tomb is situated at Saroornagar, and is made of dark stone with excellent sky perspective on the territory alter

Salar Jung Museum, Naya Pul, Afzalgunj 

Rameswaram

Rameswaram is a town in Tamil Nadu.
Get in
By plane
Nearest Airport in Madurai - 174 km Indian Airlines connect’s Madurai with Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai.

By train
Connected with all major cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Tirunelveli

By road
Connected with all important towns of Tamil Nadu, City Buses are available including night services. Point to Point services, Tourist taxi, auto / cycle rickshaws and horse carts are also available.The taxi charges for a small car (Indica) is around Rupees 10 per KM. It costs around Rupees 3800 for return trip from Madurai to Rameswaram. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport corporation ( APSRTC ) operates Rameswaram – Tirupathi daily service.

See
Pooja procedure at the main temple

It is very important for you to know the correct procedure to offer Pooja at the main temple. Temple management allows only Hindus to perform this pooja. It is best to hire a guide a day in advance, generally around Rs 400-500 for everything. Visiting the Ramanathaswamy Temple (main temple ) involves a 4 step process:

Mani Darshanam or spatikha Linga Darshanam - You should watch the Sphatic (Natural Crystal) mani first thing in the morning at main temple. Darshan timings are 5:00 - 6:00 a.m. Some guides around Rameswaram told you that there is no need to take a bath for seeing mani dharshan , But According to Holy Scriptures of Hindus one should have to took bath before entering Temple premises, better you have a bath.
There is a special entrance for Rs 50- but it's better to stand in the general queue for Rs 10 which, counter-intuitively, moves faster.

Samudra Snanam - Next, you should walk down to Samudram(Sea) for Snanam (bathing). The sea, 300m away from the temple, is very peaceful and shallow here without any tides at all. Mythology says that Samudram surrendered to Lord Rama during his attack on Lanka and since then it is calm.
Teerth Snanam - Proceed to the temple for Teerth snanam (Holy bath). The temple has 22 wells that are said to contain holy water from different places. You need to sequentially take bath at each place. The markings are good and you can easily make out the next well.The government rate for this is Rs 25 per person. Attendants are there at each well and they will pour water on you. They splash a bucket of water on a group of pilgrims. You may need to go in queue. You can also hire attendants out side the temple for this process. But they will charge 150 rs per person. Plenty of these attendants can be found at the temple entrances with a bucket and rope in hand. If you feel like getting drenched with one full bucket of water at each well, you need to hire an attendant; otherwise, this is not required.
Main Pooja - Now you can change your clothes and dry yourself. There are different prices for different kinds of pooja. The basic one starts at Rs 111. Your guide will arrange for the Pujari (priest), who will do some rituals. Then he will offer milk, grass, leaves, etc. to Lord Shiva on your behalf in main temple. You can view all this sitting in front at a price of Rs 500. Afterwards, he will tell you the story of Rameswaram. He will also ask you to recite some shlokas after him. Pujari charges around Rs 500-600 for his services.
You can also enjoy sumptuous prasadam at 12 noon. It is offered near inner door of Lord Shiva temple.

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple - this temple situated near the sea on the eastern side of the island is renowned for its magnificent prakaras or corridors with massive sculptured pillars on either side. The longest corridor in the world is here and it is 197 metres long from East to West and is 133 metres wide from South-North. The temple has a Gopuram 38.4 metres tall. Different rulers built the temple as it stands today, at different periods from the 12th century A.D. Pooja is performed for an hour early morning daily to the Spadikalingam that was given by the Shankaracharya to this temple. There is a popular belief that one needs to take bath in 22 theertha kundams with in the temple premises before having darshan. Locker facility is provided to tourists just outside the temple at charge of Rs.10 per locker. Shoes and footwear are not allowed inside temple. They can be deposited outside temple for free of cost. There are many guides who will approach us as soon as we enter the temple premises. One needs to negotiate the deal of how much to pay them if we need their services. It is believed that the water from these kundams have some medicinal properties. The history of the temple is linked with "Ramayan" and it is believed the the deity was installed by Lord Rama after the war with Ravana at the instance of the great saints to get rid of the "Brahma Dosham".
Agnitheertham - Sri Ramanathaswamy temple faces east. The seashore, about 100 metres from the main entrance of the temple, is very calm and therefore ideal for bathing. The water at this place is considered sacred and known as Agni theertham. Pilgrims perform poojas in honour of their ancestors at this seashore.
Gandamadana Parvatham - is a hillock situated 3 km away and is the highest point in the island. Here one can see the imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a chakra. The entire island of Rameswaram is visible from this point.
Sugreevar Temple/Theertham - is situated on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham near the Doordarshan Kendra.
Satchi Hanuman Temple - is considered to be the place where Hanuman delivered the good news of finding Sita to Rama with satchi or evidence, Choodamani or the jewel that belonged to Sita. Situated 3 km from the main temple, on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham.
Badrakaliamman Temple - is a temple for Devi Durga, situated 2 km from the main temple on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham.
The Five-faced Hanuman Temple (2 km from the main temple) - the deity of Hanuman drawn withsenthooram. Idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Hanuman brought from Dhanushkodi during the 1964 cyclone were placed here. The floating stone, used to build theSethuBandanamor the bridge between India and Lanka can be found in this temple.
JadaTheertham (about 3.5 km from Rameswaram on the Dhanushkodi road) - legend has it that Lord Rama, on his way back after killing Ravana, Worshipped SriRamalinga (believed to be installed by him). Before doing so, he washed his hair(Jada) in this theertham to purify himself.
Nambu Nayagiamman Temple - is greatly venerated by the people of Ramnad District. It is situated 8 km from the main temple in Rameswaram on the way to Dhanushkodi.
Kothandaramaswamy Temple - is located 12 km away from Rameswaram. A popular belief is that Vibishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered before Rama here.
Dhanushkodi (18 km) - the southern tip of the island, Dhanushkodi was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone. This is a strip of land about one km wide and 18 km long on the eastern end of Rameswaram island. On one side are the waters of the Indian Ocean and on the other the waters of the Bay of Bengal. The two seas otherwise known as Ratnakaran and Mahodadhi with their confluence is shaped like a bow while the strip of land resemble an arrow poised for release. Devout Hindus consider the Adi Sethu or the arrowhead, a sacred place to perform religious rites. It is also place worth visiting for its scenic beauty and bird life.
Villoondi Theertham - is situated 7 km from the main temple on the way to Pamban.
Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge (12 km) - is also known as the Pamban Bridge that connects the Rameswaram island with the main land. It is the longest sea bridge in India and its length is nearly 2.2 km and stands as a fine example for Indian architecture. The bridge was constructed with sufficient elevation. The islands near by and parallel rail bridge below can be viewed from this bridge.
Do
Glass boat ride at Pamban Bridge: [Update(April 2014): THIS RIDE HAS BEEN STOPPED BY THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT, HOWEVER LOOK FOR UPDATES WHEN YOU REACH PAMBAN BRIDGE. There is only one glass boat at the govt. boating center on the other end of the bridge now. That boat too is not in order, as water has entered between the two layers of glass through which you are supposed to see the corals. The boatman will tell you that the glass is not in order only when you reach the point where you are supposed to see the corals. The water is shallow there, but you won't be able to see the corals with the glass in that condition. As such, it is an utter waste of money till the govt. officials fix the boat. Even if you go there with the hope that the boat would be repaired, before boarding that single boat check the glass and ask the boatman if it is in proper condition].
One can enjoy the wonderful glass boat ride near pambanbridge to see coral reefs in the Sea. Boat has a glass bottom which enables you to see corals through it. To reach this place, you need to catch local bus from Rameswaram bus stand to Pamban bridge. From there you have to take an auto to boat center (Rs 40 - 50)(minimum 400 per boat of 8 persons), it is almost halfway on the bridge. Boat is run by Government officials and you don't have to bargain. They provide good service and don't even expect a tip from tourists. If you want to have a good view, be there between 12 noon - 1 pm on a good sunny day. Always carry an umbrella with you and watch the coral reef in umbrella shade, otherwise you'll see your own reflection on the glass instead of corals(imp: try to go for glass boat ride with a group because some days there might be no tourists there and you might end up paying more as there is no one to share glass boat ride with you) :) '

Visit Dhanushgodi: Apart from the temple this certainly is one of the best things to see and do in Rameshwaram. One can get to Dhanushgodi either by bringing their own vehicle or by using state transport or by hiring a jeep (Rs 1,300 is the going rate) or hire an auto. One can catch #3 bus from Rameshwaram to reach Dhanushgodi. Usually bus operate once in a hour. The road to Dhanushgodi was recently inaugrated by Indian prime minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier before road was built, there used to be sand road and one had to travel via Mini truck till end of Dhanushgodi since tyres of private vehicles used to get stuck in the sand. But after the new road is built, the mini truck have been retired and tourists bring their own vehicle or come via bus. The view is amazing with sea on both sides , on one side the Bay of Bengal and on the other the Indian Ocean , the Bay of Bengal side is relatively calm and hence goes by the name (Penn Kadal , Lady Sea) and the India Ocean is rough with waves lashing and is called ( Aaan Kadal, Male Sea).
Don't forget to visit ghost town which was destroyed in the 1964 cyclone after which the city was deserted, you can see the post office , railway station , church and rail tracks in ruins. The whole trip takes about 2 hours and its best to go in the evening or early morning to avoid the scorching sun. One can also have fresh fish at roadside restaurants. These restaurants are operated by local fishermen.

Madurai

Shree Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple 

Vehicle Parking accessible on North Avani Moola Street corner (old blossoms market) and West Avani Moola Street (opp: YMCA). Vehicles and Vans can be Parked. Expansive mentors ought to be stopped at Ellis Nagar Parking. Also, Take nearby transport or contract autorikshaw to the sanctuary. 

You can enter through all the Five passages. By and by section through East gppuram is shut. 

Things not permitted inside the Temple are: Photo and camcorders, cell phones, batteries, cigarettes, coordinate boxes, biting gum, burn light, blade, PCs, tab telephone, satchels, back sacks, any sorts of splashes, container, tobacco items, dolls, umbrellas, abandon them in the vehicle before hand or leave at safe storage situated at shoe care. Cell phones storage offices excessively accessible. 

Clothing standard - Long jeans and sleeve shirt. Ladies may convey shawl in the event that they wear Tshirt.  wearing socks certainly not permitted. the individuals who wear stocking, must advise the security staff at the passage. 

Sanctuary opening times 6.00am - 12.30pm and 4.00pm to 10.00pm. Passageway tickets for Foreigners Rs.50/ - per individual. 

On the off chance that you have an arrangement to perform Archana, purchase the plates at the passageway itself. Furthermore, purchase archana tickets at the sanctuary counter. 

Free darshan and extraordinary darshan accessible. Purchase every one of the tickets from the sanctuary counter straightforwardly. Try not to request that anyone purchase tickets in the interest of you. There is no alternate ways to Dharahan... Utilize just appropriate line. Try not to confide in any individual who take you without further ado. 

Sanitized water accessible practically close to all gopurams. 

Can - open pay and utilize accessible at 1.North avanimoola road stopping, 2.North East corner of the sanctuary (western can abl. For the most part bolted. Request that the individual open) and 3. opp to South Tower. 

By a long shot, the most widely recognized purpose behind visiting the city is the Meenakshi Temple, committed to the goddess Meenakshi (thought about a type of Parvati) with a sanctum for her partner, Sundareshwarar (or Siva). As a matter of fact, verifiably, the Sundereshwar holy place is the bigger and more seasoned of the two sanctuary edifices. The mind boggling itself is a marvelous case of the south Indian Dravida compositional colloquialism. Four tremendous gopurams or sanctuary towers crown the portals at every cardinal heading, effectively noticeable from a separation. Each pinnacle is encrusted with in excess of a thousand splendidly painted figures delineating a variety of legendary and promising subjects. It is customary to enter through the south gopuram and, uncommonly, love the Goddess before her associate. Inside the sanctuary for shoe-stockpiling, offering bushels of coconuts, bananas and incense are accessible notwithstanding pictures of the Goddess for home special raised areas. Numerous explorers - especially the men dressed in dark or orange sarongs who are lovers of the god Ayyappan - circumambulate the fundamental sanctuary itself in the prakara or space between the external divider and principle sanctuary. What's more, wind places of worship and a grouping of workplaces and study halls of religious establishments are found here. 

Inside the sanctuary, aficionados line up for darshan or review of the divinities. If it's not too much trouble note, in any case, that non-Hindus are not allowed into the internal sancta of Meenakshi or Sundareshwarar; any individual who looks suspicious can and will be hauled out of line by orderlies. Be that as it may, there is a plenitude of figure and painting open to all. What's more, the means of the Pottramaraikulam or Golden Lotus Pond is available to all and is a typical gathering place for occupants of the city, notwithstanding explorers and sightseers. In antiquated occasions, the sangam or get together of writers was said to accumulate at this pool to pass judgment on the benefits of new creations, frequently by tossing the original copies into the pool itself. Those that sank were second rate while those that skimmed were deserving of acclaim and engendering. 

There are numerous shops inside the east entryway, offering everything from plastic toys to bronze pictures of the Goddess. Make certain to deal hard. 

NOTE: One can purchase the uncommon tickets at the counter Rs.20 per person] to get an exceptional darshan in one sanctum, need to purchase another 20 Rs. ticket for the second sanctum. There is one increasingly exceptional Ticket, is Rs.100/ - per individual, which is only stopping the line by somewhere around a half. Do purchase these tickets in the event that you can see the line in the wake of getting inside. After the primary passageway there is another passageway and after that the passageway to the internal sanctum and after that the inward sanctum itself. You won't almost certainly observe it however the line would be 2 hours in length on the off chance that you are in the general line. 

Timings : The sanctuary is normally open somewhere in the range of 12.30hrs and again between 1600 hrs and 21.30 hrs. 

Cautioning: Beware of aides, a large number of whom are or guarantee to be tailors, who offer to take you to vantage indicates outside the sanctuary show signs of improvement see. You will be tricked into shops that have an exceptionally hard sell.. 

Different sanctuaries 

Koodal Alagar Temple. Significant Vaishnav Temple magnificient, has three stairs of the ruler pose. Sitting stance of the master (Main moola divinity), one dimension up is a standing stance of the ruler, and the third dimension up is the resting stance of the master. The sanctuary is a dynamite one. It is situated in the core of the city, one of the Divya Desams ( 108). Venerated by "Alwars - Vasihnav Saints ". Worth to see and love. 

Thiruparankundram. One of the significant old Temple committed to Lord Muruga - Karthikeya situated on a hillock around 8 km from the city. First Arupadai Veedu. References to this antiquated sanctuary are accessible in sacred writings from sixth century AD (Paripadal). The sanctuary inside is a tremendous rectangular chamber cut out of the slope, with side chambers lodging different gods of Hindu religion drew closer through limited entries. There is additionally a little Shiva sanctuary and a mosque over the slope which is behind the sanctuary. Perspectives are extremely wonderful from that point. The Thiruparankundram sanctuary is available by means of street from Madurai and has a railroad station 1 km away. Most express trains don't stop there however. 

You can likewise get a transport from Periyar transport remain (close railroad station). It takes 10 minutes to achieve sanctuary, ticket 9 rupees for each individual. 

Alagar Temple. Another Vaishnav sanctuary Alagar Koil,20 km far from the city situated in the adjacent slopes. At the highest point of the slope is a characteristic stream from where the water is conveyed crisp day by day by the sanctuary cleric for the Lord. Well known for Chittrai Festival(First Tamil month)/9April-May)- Summer Festival. The Lord is viewed as the sibling of Meenakshi (Lordes Paravathi) given in wedding with Sundareshwar (Lord Shiva). 

Pazhamudhir Solai. Close to Alagar Koil, significant Temple for Lord Karthikeya on the slopes , obviously within Solai - wilderness. One of the six significant sanctuary for Lord Muruga - Karthikeya. This is an extremely expansive and delightful sanctuary. You can take an Auto rickshaw from the Meenakshi sanctuary to visit this sanctuary for a charge of around Rs 100 (2007). Ordinary transport administration is offered by the Transport Corporation. There is an utsavam of the god on a brilliant chariot at 7PM. 

Different Sites 

Thirumalai Nayak Palace, East Market Street (Less than 2km south east of the Sri Meenakshi Temple). Open on All Days (no occasion consistently) from 9am-1pm and 1.30pm-5pm. The remaining parts of the royal residence of the seventeenth century ruler Thirumalai Nayak who contributed widely to the Meenakshi Temple. Just a little part of the first structure which was multiple times as bigger remains. There were initially two sections Swargavilasa eminent structure, implied for the King's array of mistresses and lodging the darbar court, and the ranka vilasa, which was for his sibling. Passage to the rooftop is denied forever. There is a sound and light show at night (Both English and Tamil Version of the show). There is additionally an exhibition hall, which houses the first pictures of Thirumalai naicker, yet in addition uncovered stone carvings of the seventeenth century, alongside numerous figures of Hindu Gods like Brahma, Nataraja, Saraswati. There is one uncommon painting on one of the columns, which the Archeological Department guarantee to have uncovered from one of the columns. There is a work of art covered up in each column, clearly. The other bit of the royal residence, Rankavilasam was devastated by Thirumalai Nayak's Grandson. Be that as it may, a little structure still stays known as "Ten columns" or "Pathu Thoon" in Tamil. Unfortunately, these ten mainstays of ageless excellence in Thirumalai Nayak are presently encompassed by shops and private houses. 50 Rs. for outsiders and 10 Rs. for Indians. alter 

Thirupparankundram. An Islamic Durgah (sanctum) is situated at the highest point of the slope, where the grave of an Islamic holy person Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badushah shaheed Radiyallah Ta'al anhu, who originated from Jeddah alongside Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badushah of Madinah (presently in Erwadi, Ramanathapuram locale) amid the mid thirteenth century, is found. Regardless of religion, individuals from all pieces of Tamil Nadu and from Kerala visit this durgah. Individuals who visit the Ervadi Durgah in Ramanathapuram locale should visit this durgah. Numerous lyrics were written in recognition of Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha, by Syed Abdussalam Ibrahim Saalim Hazrat,the third in the rundown of Madurai Hazrats and his Maternal grandson Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim Saahib Hazrat. It is seen that individuals who come here with a desire see it replied in an extremely brief time, thus He is additionally called Mustajab advertisement Du'aa Sikandhar Badhushah. Mustajab Ad Du'aa in Arabic methods A holy person whose Supplications are quickly replied by Allah. The Anniversary urus celebration of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandar badusha Shaheed is commomerated on seventeenth Night of the islamic Month of Rajab each Hijri year 

Gandhi Museum, (North side of the waterway in the royal residence of Rani Mangammal). 10:00am - 13:00pm and 14:00pm - 18:00pm. This exhibition hall houses Gandhi's bloodstained dhoti and little else by method for ancient rarities. Those intrigued by the opportunity battle, however, will be keen on the broad content housed here. Tamil speakers and long-ter

Kanniyakumari

Apr, 25

Kanniyakumari 

Kanniyakumari (or Kanyakumari) is a town on the southern most tip of the main land of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Cape Comorin.

Understand
The southernmost point of India, Kanyakumari is a small town located at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. For a long time it has been a significant site in India both spiritually and more recently as a day tripping excursion from Kerala. Famous Indian poet and philosopher, though probably unknown to most foreigners, Swami Vivekananda spent long periods of time meditating here and resultantly has a large monument erected to him just off the shoreline. Mahatma Gandhi also visited Kanyakumari and another prominent attraction is a mausoleum dedicated to him in the form of an Orissan Sun Temple. A rare phenomenon and depending on the weather, at certain times of the year the setting sun and rising moon can be witnessed in the twilight.

The oldest and the most ancient landmark in this town is the temple of Goddess Kumari who prayed to Lord Shiva to be accepted as wife by him. During the British Raj, it was also known as 'Cape Comorin', probably a British corrupted version of 'Kumari', meaning virgin. The town is easily walkable and doesn't require any public transport, although there are cheap buses and a throng of auto rickshaws.


Tiruvalluvar monument in Kanniyakumari
Get in
By Air
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) airport in the neighbouring state Kerala is the nearest international airport, with direct flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives and Sri Lanka. And is served by Air-India, among others. From Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) it takes about three hours by bus, train, or taxi. Taxi fares are very reasonable, at about Rs 9-10 per km, and should be around Rs 1,000 (US$22 Approx), for a trip to Kanyakumari from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
If you cannot reach Thiruvananthapuram directly from your city, you can try getting to Tutucorin airport and then you can take a train or bus to get to Kanyakumari. Note that travelling to Kanyakumari is a bit tiresome via road, due to long travel times which is about 14-15 hours. As the weather in this part of the country is pretty hot (30-35 degrees Celsius during summer and 25-30 degrees during winter) throughout the year. Instead take the train, traveling on II Tier air-conditioned coach. This mode of transport costs about Rs 1200 (US$27). A domestic (within India) flight travel to Thiruvananthapuram is also a viable option, but the ticket prices are slightly higher, ranging from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 5000. In India, the earlier you book/plan your travel, the more you save on tickets.
Alternatively reach Kochi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Bangalore, Bombay, New Delhi, Kolkata and then by train or flight to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).
By train
Very well connected and serviced by rail to all major cities in India like Chennai, Trivandrum , Kochi, Bangalore, Bombay, New Delhi, Kolkata, Coimbatore etc. And from here starts longest train route in India, Kanyakumari to Dibrugarh.

See
To escape the crowds, visit Vivekanandapuram (the only peaceful area in Kanyakumari) maintained by the Ramakrishna Mission. It has its own lodging and boarding arrangements. If you'd like to see the sunset or sunrise, it is recommended that you see it from the beach at Vivekanandapuram. The other popular places are the Kanyakumari Devi temple, Vivekananda Rock, and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. It is not recommended that you visit Kanyakumari in December-January; the crowds are at its peak during these months.

The temple of Goddess Kumari is rather small by South Indian standards, but comes with the usual ingredients of Pujaris (Hindu Priests), Poojas, Kumkums, and Prasad (sweet offerings made to the Gods). All men are supposed to enter the temple with bare torsos as it deemed to be a mark of respect to the Devi. You should be careful about the touts in the temple.

Vivekananda Rock is about a hundred meters from the shore and a regular ferry service exists between the mainland jetty and the rock. The tickets are Rs 30 for a ride. Normally you will find a lot of people waiting in the queue during holiday season, so there's a legitimate way of bypassing the queue by paying Rs 150, they take you directly inside the ferry, no waiting. The Rock has two Mandaps (halls); one belonging to Swami Vivekananda and the other belonging to a Holy Foot. The Holy Foot is a foot shaped carving found on the rock and is believed to be the footprint of Goddess Kumari who stood on this rock on one leg and performed the Tapasya (penance). The Rock memorial has a tall statue of Swami Vivekananda whose photographs are not allowed to be taken from inside the hall. Below the statue was mentioned the year of death of the Swamiji and the "probable" dates when Swamiji attained Samadhi on the rock. Here you can see both sunrise and sunset and it is one of the main tourist attractions here. Golden Hues of the Horizon are very impressive with a silhouette of the Rock Memorial. Timings: 7:45 am to 4:00 pm. You should enter main gate to the jetty for ferry before 4 pm, after that entry is denied. The last ferry leaves the island around the sunset time with all the remaining visitors as well as the staff.
Vivekanandapuram is the headquarters of the Vivekananda Kendra and the centre spreads over an area of 100 acres. There is a well stocked library within the premises. It is well connected. Buses are also regularly available from Vivekanandapuram to Kanyakumari. One can enjoy absolutely breathtaking views of sunrise from the beaches of Vivekanandapuram. It has its own boarding & lodging facilities, a post office and a bank on its premises. http://www.vkendra.org/
Thiruvalluvar Statue is dedicated to arguably the greatest Tamil poet, philosopher, and saint Thiruvalluvar. The rock supports a huge statue of the saint carved out of many rocks that were then joined together. It was inaugurated fairly recently. The statue is about 133 feet long which corresponds to 133 chapters in the greatest epic written by the saint – Thirukkural. Tourists can climb up to the feet of the statue. The view from this point is quite breathtaking! It is a very entertaining and enlightening piece of work and inspires one to lead a very principled and moral life. It is a must read for anyone who visits this place and it is advisable to spend at least half an hour specially dedicated for this exercise. Such is the beauty of Kanyakumari that a lot of people find themselves attracted to it.
Gandhi Mandapam
Mahatma Gandhi too could not resist its charm, and there is a place here dedicated to him called Gandhi Mandapam. This is the place, as told by locals, where one could witness the 'Sangam' (confluence) of the three oceans. Gandhi arrived here and succumbed to the beauty of the place as described in his beautiful words inscribed below his portrait in the Mandapam. After he died, his ashes were brought to this place. The Gandhi Mantapa is engineered in such a way that at the place where the ashes were kept stands a small stone which is said to receive the Sun’s rays only on the 2nd of October, Gandhi's birthday, every year through a small hole on the roof.

Our Lady of Ransom Church - Located on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal, the 100-year-old Church of Our Lady of Ransom is dedicated to Mother Mary. The Church, which is one of the most beautiful churches in India, looks beautiful against the backdrop of the beautiful blue sky. The Church of Our Lady of Ransom was built in the Gothic style of architecture with a strong Portuguese influence. The church is slightly off-white in appearance and has three massive towering spires and stained glass windowpanes contributing to its overall grandeur. Another attraction of the church is the Central Tower. It is 153 feet high and is crowned with a cross of pure gold. (Interesting to note that the dimensions of the church structures are based on the count of beads in the rosary!
There are a few things about the church that make the visitors gasp with awe as they enter. The church boasts a beautiful statue of Mother Mary clad in a saree. Surprisingly, as compared with the grand and ornate exteriors, the visitors are quite taken aback by the simplicity of its interiors. There is just a tiny cross that adorns the altar. There are no church benches and the masses are held inside the church in normal days and outside on the clean sands during carnivals and occasions. The prayers are held in Tamil considering the parish here mainly comprises the local fishing folks. However, English masses are being conducted lately. Be on the lookout for the 10-day carnival festival during the second week of December every year. It is vibrant and colourful with the fishing hamlets of other nearby places and people of other religions celebrate together.

Padmanabhapuram Palace is the erstwhile palatial residence of the rulers of Travancore. It is made entirely of wood. It lies an hours drive away from Kanyakumari on the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala state. It is actually maintained by the Kerala government. There is an entrance ticket of Rs. 25 for Indians and Rs 200 for foreigners. It will take approximately an hour to one-and-half hours to see this palace. Ticket Timings: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument was raised and dedicated to a freedom fighter and Former Chief minister of Tamil Nadu, President of Indian National Congress, Mr Kamarajar. He's also popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses. Like the Gandhi Mantapa, this place is where Kamarajar's ashes were kept for the public to pay homage before immersion into the sea.
Baywatch is a water theme amusement park at Sunset Point and is home to India's first wax museum.
Tsunami Monument is a monument recognizing the tragic events of the 2004 tsunami that claimed the lives of many Kanyakumari denizens. It is near the south shore. The monument is made of uniquely coloured items such as a wave, a flame, and human hands, together.
See the sunrise/sunset the actual geographic south point of India is a few kilometers to the West of Kanyakumari's point and the big Thiruvalluvar Statue. It has a nice stone boat shed, a big Virgin Mary statue, some rocks, and if you walk down onto the sand and rocks, best of all no other people! If you are getting a bus from Nagercoil station, the first bus of the day should just get you there in time. Ask to get off at the Virgin Mary statue, buses go both ways all day so you'll easily be able to resume your trip.
Do
Vivekananda Rock memorial has a special meditation room which is absolutely peaceful for meditation. People also wet their feet on the shores of the ocean before entering the temple as the waters are considered sacred. Bathing is banned in many part of the beach (though you may find some people bathing) due to a number of tourists dying each year due to the powerful ocean waves.
For bathing in the sea, consider Vattakotta (meaning: round fort) beach, situated about 6 km from Kanyakumari. Naked bathing or bathing with bikinis is taboo not only in Kanyakumari but in nearly all beaches in India. Beaches in Goa and Pondicherry are a bit different, as a majority of people visiting there are foreigners.
Chothavilai beach is a good place to be away from crowds of tourists and pilgrims. This beach is clean and filled with relaxing families during day time. Women travelers especially should avoid being on the beach alone. Leave the beach together with the local people during sun set.

Kanniyakumari (or Kanyakumari) is a town on the southern most tip of the main land of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Cape Comorin.

The southernmost point of India, Kanyakumari is a small town located at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. For a long time it has been a significant site in India both spiritually and more recently as a day tripping excursion from Kerala. Famous Indian poet and philosopher, though probably unknown to most foreigners, Swami Vivekananda spent long periods of time meditating here and resultantly has a large monument erected to him just off the shoreline. Mahatma Gandhi also visited Kanyakumari and another prominent attraction is a mausoleum dedicated to him in the form of an Orissan Sun Temple. A rare phenomenon and depending on the weather, at certain times of the year the setting sun and rising moon can be witnessed in the twilight.

The oldest and the most ancient landmark in this town is the temple of Goddess Kumari who prayed to Lord Shiva to be accepted as wife by him. During the British Raj, it was also known as 'Cape Comorin', probably a British corrupted version of 'Kumari', meaning virgin. The town is easily walkable and doesn't require any public transport, although there are cheap buses and a throng of auto rickshaws.

Tiruvalluvar monument in Kanniyakumari

Get in

By Air

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) airport in the neighbouring state Kerala is the nearest international airport, with direct flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives and Sri Lanka. And is served by Air-India, among others. From Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) it takes about three hours by bus, train, or taxi. Taxi fares are very reasonable, at about Rs 9-10 per km, and should be around Rs 1,000 (US$22 Approx), for a trip to Kanyakumari from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

If you cannot reach Thiruvananthapuram directly from your city, you can try getting to Chennai (Madras) the state capital and take either train or bus to get to Kanyakumari. Note that travelling to Kanyakumari is a bit tiresome via road, due to long travel times which is about 14-15 hours. As the weather in this part of the country is pretty hot (30-35 degrees Celsius during summer and 25-30 degrees during winter) throughout the year. Instead take the train, traveling on II Tier air-conditioned coach. This mode of transport costs about Rs 1200 (US$27). A domestic (within India) flight travel to Thiruvananthapuram is also a viable option, but the ticket prices are slightly higher, ranging from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 5000. In India, the earlier you book/plan your travel, the more you save on tickets.

Alternatively reach Kochi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Bangalore, Bombay, New Delhi, Kolkata and then by train or flight to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).

By train

Very well connected and serviced by rail to all major cities in India like Chennai, Trivandrum , Kochi, Bangalore, Bombay, New Delhi, Kolkata, Coimbatore etc. And from here starts longest train route in India, Kanyakumari to Dibrugarh.

By bus

Buses are frequently available from Thiruvananthapuram,the closest major transport hub. Long distance buses are available from Chennai (Madras), Coimbatore, Madurai, Bangalore etc.

By Taxi

Serendipityholidays.in☎ +91 9848220745

 for full day local & Rs.14.5/km for Outstation. 

Get around

The bus connectivity between many places is very good. Generally buses are less crowded during 10.00 AM to 15.00 PM. Most people travel around Kanniyakumari using a hired vehicle. Auto-rickshaws (tuk tuks) are available, along with buses. Buses are about Rs15 from the station to the point, and Rs 7.5 from the bus station to the point. Auto-rickshaw drivers generally ask for Rs 500 for a distance of around 10 KM.

If your train comes into Nagercoil, there are buses to Kanyakumari from right outside Nagercoil junction station starting at 5:20am (ish) and meant to be on the half hour every hour, although you just have to keep asking.

See

To escape the crowds, visit Vivekanandapuram (the only peaceful area in Kanyakumari) maintained by the Ramakrishna Mission. It has its own lodging and boarding arrangements. If you'd like to see the sunset or sunrise, it is recommended that you see it from the beach at Vivekanandapuram. The other popular places are the Kanyakumari Devi temple, Vivekananda Rock, and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. It is not recommended that you visit Kanyakumari in December-January; the crowds are at its peak during these months.

The temple of Goddess Kumari is rather small by South Indian standards, but comes with the usual ingredients of Pujaris (Hindu Priests), Poojas, Kumkums, and Prasad (sweet offerings made to the Gods). All men are supposed to enter the temple with bare torsos as it deemed to be a mark of respect to the Devi. You should be careful about the touts in the temple.

Vivekananda Rock is about a hundred meters from the shore and a regular ferry service exists between the mainland jetty and the rock. The tickets are Rs 30 for a ride. Normally you will find a lot of people waiting in the queue during holiday season, so there's a legitimate way of bypassing the queue by paying Rs 150, they take you directly inside the ferry, no waiting. The Rock has two Mandaps (halls); one belonging to Swami Vivekananda and the other belonging to a Holy Foot. The Holy Foot is a foot shaped carving found on the rock and is believed to be the footprint of Goddess Kumari who stood on this rock on one leg and performed the Tapasya (penance). The Rock memorial has a tall statue of Swami Vivekananda whose photographs are not allowed to be taken from inside the hall. Below the statue was mentioned the year of death of the Swamiji and the "probable" dates when Swamiji attained Samadhi on the rock. Here you can see both sunrise and sunset and it is one of the main tourist attractions here. Golden Hues of the Horizon are very impressive with a silhouette of the Rock Memorial. Timings: 7:45 am to 4:00 pm. You should enter main gate to the jetty for ferry before 4 pm, after that entry is denied. The last ferry leaves the island around the sunset time with all the remaining visitors as well as the staff.

Vivekanandapuram is the headquarters of the Vivekananda Kendra and the centre spreads over an area of 100 acres. There is a well stocked library within the premises. It is well connected. Buses are also regularly available from Vivekanandapuram to Kanyakumari. One can enjoy absolutely breathtaking views of sunrise from the beaches of Vivekanandapuram. It has its own boarding & lodging facilities, a post office and a bank on its premises. http://www.vkendra.org/

Thiruvalluvar Statue is dedicated to arguably the greatest Tamil poet, philosopher, and saint Thiruvalluvar. The rock supports a huge statue of the saint carved out of many rocks that were then joined together. It was inaugurated fairly recently. The statue is about 133 feet long which corresponds to 133 chapters in the greatest epic written by the saint – Thirukkural. Tourists can climb up to the feet of the statue. The view from this point is quite breathtaking! It is a very entertaining and enlightening piece of work and inspires one to lead a very principled and moral life. It is a must read for anyone who visits this place and it is advisable to spend at least half an hour specially dedicated for this exercise. Such is the beauty of Kanyakumari that a lot of people find themselves attracted to it.

Gandhi Mandapam

Mahatma Gandhi too could not resist its charm, and there is a place here dedicated to him called Gandhi Mandapam. This is the place, as told by locals, where one could witness the 'Sangam' (confluence) of the three oceans. Gandhi arrived here and succumbed to the beauty of the place as described in his beautiful words inscribed below his portrait in the Mandapam. After he died, his ashes were brought to this place. The Gandhi Mantapa is engineered in such a way that at the place where the ashes were kept stands a small stone which is said to receive the Sun’s rays only on the 2nd of October, Gandhi's birthday, every year through a small hole on the roof.

Our Lady of Ransom Church - Located on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal, the 100-year-old Church of Our Lady of Ransom is dedicated to Mother Mary. The Church, which is one of the most beautiful churches in India, looks beautiful against the backdrop of the beautiful blue sky. The Church of Our Lady of Ransom was built in the Gothic style of architecture with a strong Portuguese influence. The church is slightly off-white in appearance and has three massive towering spires and stained glass windowpanes contributing to its overall grandeur. Another attraction of the church is the Central Tower. It is 153 feet high and is crowned with a cross of pure gold. (Interesting to note that the dimensions of the church structures are based on the count of beads in the rosary!

There are a few things about the church that make the visitors gasp with awe as they enter. The church boasts a beautiful statue of Mother Mary clad in a saree. Surprisingly, as compared with the grand and ornate exteriors, the visitors are quite taken aback by the simplicity of its interiors. There is just a tiny cross that adorns the altar. There are no church benches and the masses are held inside the church in normal days and outside on the clean sands during carnivals and occasions. The prayers are held in Tamil considering the parish here mainly comprises the local fishing folks. However, English masses are being conducted lately. Be on the lookout for the 10-day carnival festival during the second week of December every year. It is vibrant and colourful with the fishing hamlets of other nearby places and people of other religions celebrate together.

Padmanabhapuram Palace is the erstwhile palatial residence of the rulers of Travancore. It is made entirely of wood. It lies an hours drive away from Kanyakumari on the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala state. It is actually maintained by the Kerala government. There is an entrance ticket of Rs. 25 for Indians and Rs 200 for foreigners. It will take approximately an hour to one-and-half hours to see this palace. Ticket Timings: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument was raised and dedicated to a freedom fighter and Former Chief minister of Tamil Nadu, President of Indian National Congress, Mr Kamarajar. He's also popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses. Like the Gandhi Mantapa, this place is where Kamarajar's ashes were kept for the public to pay homage before immersion into the sea.

Baywatch is a water theme amusement park at Sunset Point and is home to India's first wax museum.

Tsunami Monument is a monument recognizing the tragic events of the 2004 tsunami that claimed the lives of many Kanyakumari denizens. It is near the south shore. The monument is made of uniquely coloured items such as a wave, a flame, and human hands, together.

See the sunrise/sunset the actual geographic south point of India is a few kilometers to the West of Kanyakumari's point and the big Thiruvalluvar Statue. It has a nice stone boat shed, a big Virgin Mary statue, some rocks, and if you walk down onto the sand and rocks, best of all no other people! If you are getting a bus from Nagercoil station, the first bus of the day should just get you there in time. Ask to get off at the Virgin Mary statue, buses go both ways all day so you'll easily be able to resume your trip.

Do

Vivekananda Rock memorial has a special meditation room which is absolutely peaceful for meditation. People also wet their feet on the shores of the ocean before entering the temple as the waters are considered sacred. Bathing is banned in many part of the beach (though you may find some people bathing) due to a number of tourists dying each year due to the powerful ocean waves.

For bathing in the sea, consider Vattakotta (meaning: round fort) beach, situated about 6 km from Kanyakumari. Naked bathing or bathing with bikinis is taboo not only in Kanyakumari but in nearly all beaches in India. Beaches in Goa and Pondicherry are a bit different, as a majority of people visiting there are foreigners.

Chothavilai beach is a good place to be away from crowds of tourists and pilgrims. This beach is clean and filled with relaxing families during day time. Women travelers especially should avoid being on the beach alone. Leave the beach together with the local people during sun set.

Buy

Tourists can buy a lot of interesting items ranging from, straw hats, conches, sea shells, cheap electronics etc., There are some small shops where one can get a customized conch with name or quotes inscribed. These items can serve as a memorable item of your trip.

Star Wholesale and Retail- In Sannathy Street on South Car Road.

It has some of the best mirrors in town, decorated with conches and shells. Very reasonable rates. With best finishing. Friendly Owner. A must buy from this shop for souveneirs and items (Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, candle stand, ganesh ji etc.) to take back for relatives.Mirrors decorates with sea shells and conches are available almost everywhere Electronics available at Kanyakumari are dead cheap but, since all of them are imported from china, the quality of them are always sub-par. It's always good to avoid the electronics shops and the associated hagglers. Hair bands and clips made of coconut shells are worth the money and you may have to ask one for to the shop keeper if one is not available at the display. Star fish shells (for decorating your indoors), sea shells of various sizes, kaleidoscopes, colourful sand packets(not artificially colored), collected from different parts of the beach, used specially for decorating your indoor showcases, are also available. The cost of majority of these commodities range from Rs 20 (0.5 US$) to Rs 50 (1.1 US$), and never cross a 100.There are some antiques shops too unlike handicrafts these original antiques gives you pleasant surprise.Antiquslike kavadi,Painitings ,South indian lamps are worth the money.Tourists can also visit shops in the temple premises for buying handicraft items like wooden cups, wooden plates, wooden boxes of various shapes,wooden penstand,chariot,tea coasters,safety lockers and various decorative antique wooden pieces at good prices.Such handicraft works are brought as a souvenir from Kanyakumari as they show the creativity of the locals here.Authentic conches and good quality vaastu items can also be found in these temple-side shops. It is a good deal to buy conches in kanyakumari. Conches and seashell bangles are trademark products of this place.

Eat

The food in Kanniyakumari is more of the classic South Indian style. It is mostly vegetarian, and maybe even some Tamil favorites including iddlis, sambar, dosai, and related are available. Typical South Indian vegetarian food is available. In some cases, they may serve you the food on the traditional banana leaf. South Indian food is more of an acquired taste for some people from the Western part of the world. It is different, but still good. Do not expect much as far as Western style breakfast foods or western style foods.

Meals available at Kanyakumari are of the classic South-Indian type with rotis (roasted unleavened flatbread...perhaps similar to Mexican style wheat tortillas).

North-Indian style meals are available in some Rajastani/Punjabi style restaurants. A one time meal usually cost around 25 Rs (0.5 US$).

Hotel Saravana (Kanyakumari), Sannathi St, ☎ 04652-247980. Pure Vegetarian Hotel 

Drink

Non-alcoholic

Avoid bringing alcohol to the beach as this place is a pilgrim centre and it's considered taboo to booze. (That said, there are LOADS of discarded high-alcohol content liquor bottles all around various parts the beach slightly away from the developed/tourist zone, so it's obviously not that unheard of!)

Coconuts

Kanyakumari has a lot of tender coconut shops selling tender coconuts for Rs. 10. (US$ 0.2). The orange variety of tender coconut, which is plentiful in this area and is priced the same, is worth trying as it's much tastier than the green coloured one.

Juice

Though there are a lot of fresh juice stalls, it is perhaps best to avoid them as the stalls are seldom clean and the ice they add to the juice may be contaminated. It may have many water-borne diseases of the digestive tract. (That said, I drank the juice in a busy restaurant and was fine... if you get sick, you can normally just antibiotic or Flagyl it away...)

Bottled drinks

Bottled drinks are readily available, and usually safe to drink. Note that bottled drinks are always priced higher (about Rs 2 to Rs 5 higher) than the MRP in these areas. Of bottled drinks, ThumsUp (Cola flavored) and Limca (Lime flavored), both branded by The Coca-cola company are worth tasting as they are tailored specially for the Indian market.

Alcoholic

At least one of the hotels in the middle of town have a subterranean bar. Just walk down the hill a little before the boat ramp, scroll around and you'll find one. Air conditioned, various beers for 120 rupees, and an extensive (and refreshingly non South Indian specific) menu was on offer at the one I found... roughly diagonally opposite hotel Sea View, back north down the street away from the water and hotel Sea Face.