The end of the earth, the end of the sky丨The ends of the South Asian subcontinent
When traveling to Madurai, I decided to head further south to the southernmost tip of the South Asian subcontinent, Kanniyakumari.
Kanniyakumari is the geographical end of India and the South Asian subcontinent. Its name is derived from the Hindu goddess Kumari, the wife of Shiva. Legend has it that she fought the devil here alone and saved the world from the devil. Ancient Indians believed this place to be the 'end of the earth' and the 'end of the sky,' where three seas converge: the Bay of Bengal to the east, the Arabian Sea to the west, and the vast Indian Ocean to the south. It is also a place where one can see both the sunrise and sunset over the sea. The British colonizers gave it a more straightforward name, 'Cape Comorin,' which means 'Rocky Cape.'
Due to the difficulty of reaching this place, there are very few foreign tourists. However, because it is also a Hindu holy site and has unique geographical significance, the seaside town is crowded with Indian tourists and pilgrims. It is recommended to stay overnight in the seaside town so as not to miss the sunrise over the Bay of Bengal and the sunset over the Arabian Sea at the Kanniyakumari Sunrise View.
Besides the sunrise and sunset, there are other places in this seaside town worth exploring. Everyone who comes here will not miss the two small islands suspended in the sea, one called Vivekananda Rock and the other Thiruvalluvar Rock. One commemorates the modern Hindu reformer and philosopher Vivekananda, who is said to have meditated on this giant rock and attained enlightenment. A memorial hall, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, is built on the island. The Ramakrishna Mission, named after his teacher, has a significant influence in India and even worldwide. His philosophical thoughts are also widely spread; I have encountered this mission in several Indian cities. The other island commemorates the great ancient Tamil poet and thinker Thiruvalluvar, who was born in 30 BCE and made significant contributions to the development and spread of Tamil culture. From afar, you can see the 40.5-meter-tall statue of Thiruvalluvar on the island.
Another famous Indian who visited Kanniyakumari is Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi visited Kanniyakumari twice during his lifetime, and after his death, his ashes were divided into 12 parts and scattered in different rivers and seas across India, one of which was scattered into the Indian Ocean at Kanniyakumari. A memorial hall, Gandhi Memorial, was built on the coast where his ashes were scattered.
This is also a Hindu holy site. The Shri Paatham of Kanyakumari Devi temple is always crowded with worshippers who come here to offer sacrifices and bathe in the temple's bathing area. Male worshippers must enter the temple bare-chested and barefoot, and photography is prohibited inside the temple. As a seaside town in South India, it is also influenced by Christianity from the sea. Don't miss the Our Lady of Ransom Church in the town, which is said to have been visited by Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Christ, who eventually died in what is now Chennai. The white cathedral against the blue sea looks very sacred. Finally, don't miss the lighthouse by the sea and the evening seaside market. Observing the local people and families here is also a very interesting experience.