A demon named Banasura had obtained a boon that only a kanya — an unmarried maiden — could slay him. Confident that no maiden could harm him, he terrorized all three worlds. Parvati took the form of Kanya Kumari and came to the southernmost tip of the land. She performed tapas here, wishing to marry Shiva — preparations were made, food was cooked, and everything was arranged for the wedding.
By divine design, the marriage did not happen. Devi remained an eternal maiden at this spot. The food that was cooked and never consumed turned into the colourful sand found on the beaches here — that, at least, is what the old tradition says. When Banasura came to capture her, she slew him. And here she stays, at the meeting point of three seas, as the eternal Kanya Kumari.
At Kanyakumari, the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean all meet. Standing in the water at sunrise here — with light coming across all three — is an experience unlike any other.
The Devi's ancient murti is housed in the temple at the very tip of the Indian subcontinent. Pilgrims traditionally take a sea bath before entering the temple — and at Kanyakumari, the sea really is on all sides.
The sunrise and sunset here are famous — as the sun rises on one side and sets on the other, both occasions light up the water of three seas simultaneously. It is one of the few places in India where you can watch both from land.
- Open year-round; traditional sea bath before entering the temple.
- Sunrise over three seas — one of the most remarkable natural spectacles in India.
- Traditional dress (dhoti for men) is required at the temple entrance.
- The beach sand here is famously colourful — mixed hues of mineral-rich grains.