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Kanniyakumari
Kanniyakumari at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, is dedicated to Kanya Devi. Don't miss the Kumari Amman temple, the 133 ft-tall Tiruvalluvar Statue, Gandhi Memorial, the Vivekananda Memorial and the beach. Several interesting excursions are also possible.
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Getting there: Thiruvananthapuram (89 km), across the border in Kerala, is the nearest airport; Kanniyakumari is the railway terminus on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanniyakumari line. Regular bus services are also available to Kanniyakumari from other places. Contact: Tourist Office at BeachRoad; 04652-246276. . |
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Rameswaram
Located on an island in the Gulf of Mannar, this site is also called the Varanasi of the South. This is where Rama is said to have offered thanks to Shiva. The Ramanathaswamy temple here is a preeminent site of Hindu worship. Rameswaram is well known for its temple corridor, the longest of its kind, as well as the bathing ghat, Ganthamathana Parvatham and the Kothandaramar temple.
Getting there: Drive or take a train from Madurai (173km). Contact: The Tourist Office at the bus terminus (04573-2213 71). |
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Velankanni
The seaside pilgrimage centre of Velankanni is important as a site of pan-religious worship. It boasts the gothic Basilica of Our Lady of Health and the Pope has declared Velankanni a holy city. A museum opposite the basilica displays, besides its exhibits, the precious offerings of the devout. The yearly Feast of Our Lady begins August 29 and ends September 8.
Getting there: The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli (165km); the nearest rail station is at Nagappattinam (12km). There are bus services to Chennai, and other major centres. Contact: Tourist Office in Thanjavur; 04362-230984. |
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| Nagore |
The dargah of Sufi saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hameed Quadir Wali at Nagore is an important Muslim pilgrim centre. The golden-domed tomb is flanked by five minarets and is over 500 years old. The water tank called Peer Kulam is believed to have curative waters. The Kandhoori festival of the Saint, during the Islamic month of Jumad Thani (Jumad Akhir), is celebrated by people of all religions.
Getting there: Nagore is 4km north of Nagappattinam, which is the nearest railhead. The nearest airport is at Tiruchirapalli (150 km). Contact: Tourist Office in Thanjavur: 04362-230984. |
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