Page 621 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

T A MIL NADU  619

structure, the temple has a
Navaratri mandapa with a
beautifully painted panel of
Mahishasuramardini (Durga
killing the demon Mahisha). An
18th-century shrine within the
temple contains the footprints
(sripadaparai) of the goddess
Kumari, who performed her
penance at this spot.
The Gandhi Memorial, near
Suchindram’s Thanumalayan Temple, overlooking the temple tank the temple, is where Mahatma
Gandhi’s ashes were kept before
l Suchindram z Kanniyakumari immersion. The building is
designed so that every year
Kanniyakumari district. 247 km Kanniyakumari district. 235 km (146
(153 miles) S of Madurai. £ Nagarcoil, miles) SW of Madurai. * 19,700. £ on 2nd October (Gandhi’s
5 km (3 miles) NW of town centre, @ n Tamil Nadu Tourism, Beach Rd, birthday), at midday, the rays
then bus. @ _ Arudhra Festival (04652) 246 276. _ Chaitra Purnima of the sun fall on the exact spot
(Dec/Jan). (Apr), Navaratri (Sep/Oct). where his ashes were placed.
Just off the coast, on a rocky
This small temple town is The southernmost tip of the island, the Vivekananda
closely linked with the legend Indian subcontinent, where Memorial marks the spot where
of Kumari, the Virgin Goddess the Indian Ocean, the Arabian the great Indian philo sopher,
(an incarnation of Parvati). It is Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet, Swami Vivekananda (see p290)
believed that Shiva rested at this Kanniyakumari enchants visitors meditated before attending
quiet spot by the banks of the with its spectacular views, the World Religious Conference
Pelayar river, while the goddess especially at sunrise and sunset. in Chicago in 1893. Near the
Kumari performed her penance The most breathtaking of these memorial is the imposing
at Kanniyakumari. occurs on Chaitra Purnima (the 40-m (131-ft) high statue of
Suchindram’s unique full-moon night in April), when Tiruvalluvar, the 1st-century BC
Thanumalayan Temple is both sunset and moonrise Tamil poet, who wrote the epic
ded icated to the Hindu Trinity occur at the same time. Tirukural, often referred to as
of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Kanniyakumari is believed one of the greatest classics
The rectangular complex has to be the abode of Kumari, the of Tamil literature.
enormous, brightly coloured Virgin Goddess, who is supposed The Church of Our Lady
gopuras, which date from the to have done penance here so of Joy, which was founded by
17th and 18th centuries, and that she could marry Shiva. The St Francis Xavier in the 1540s,
depict stories from the great marriage, however, did not take is located at the southern edge
epics (see pp30–31). One place, since it was deemed that of the town. Other attractions
of the two main shrines, built she remain a virgin in order to include the sandy beaches
in the 13th century, contains save the world. Her temple, and the multicoloured
the sthanumalaya linga, which the Kumari Amman Temple, a granite rocks.
symbolizes Brahma, Vishnu popular pilgrimage centre on
and Shiva. The other is the seashore, was built by the  Kumari Amman Temple
dedicated to Vishnu, whose Pandya kings in the 8th century Open daily. Closed Sanctum
image is made of a special and was extensively renovated closed to non-Hindus.
kind of jaggery and mustard. by the Chola, Vijayanagar and E Vivekananda Memorial
The temple also boasts a set Nayaka rulers. A magnificent Open daily. & 4 every 30 min.
of musical pillars made from
single blocks of granite. When
tapped, each pillar produces a
different musical note. Other
highlights are a 5-m (16-ft) high
statue of Hanuman, placed
opposite the Rama shrine, and
the exquisite sculptures in the
Vasantha Mandapa. A special
puja is held here every Friday
evening, with music and a
procession. In the complex is
an ancient banyan tree, and a
sculpture of Shiva’s bull, Nandi,
which locals believe actually
continues to grow. The beach at Kanniyakumari with its three memorials

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