Kanyakumari, Coastal city in Kanyakumari district, India
This coastal town occupies the southern tip of mainland India, where three bodies of water converge at a rocky shoreline. The settlement extends along the coast with sandy beaches, temples, and monuments spread over several kilometers.
This area remained under the control of the Travancore princely state until administrative reorganization transferred it to Tamil Nadu in 1956. The settlement gained wider recognition as a pilgrimage site and gathering place for scholars during the 19th century.
Pilgrims gather year-round along the waterfront to take ritual baths at the confluence of three seas, a practice passed down through generations. Street vendors sell colorful shells and handmade jewelry along the promenade while local fishermen cast their nets at dusk.
The nearest airport lies roughly 90 kilometers (56 miles) away in Thiruvananthapuram, offering the main air connection for travelers coming from outside the region. Sunrise and sunset over the water are best viewed during clear weather, which makes the cooler months a popular time to visit.
The mainland ends at a rocky promontory where visitors can observe how the different colors of the three seas appear slightly distinct from one another in calm weather. A small lighthouse sits on an offshore rock formation accessible only by boat, offering an unusual perspective on the coastline.
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