Kanniyakumari district General information

Kanyakumari district is Surrounded  by  Majestic Hills and the plains bordered by colourful sea-shores, fringed with  coconut  trees  and  paddy  fields,  here and there are few elevated patches of red cliffs with undulating valleys and plains between the mountainous terrain and the sea - coast, so closely interwoven with Temples and Churches and other edifices lies the district, 'Kanyakumari'. ( The district name is spelled as  ' Kanniyakumari ' in official records which is in tune with the spoken name of the district in Tamil language) .   With an area of 1672 sq.km. it occupies 1.29% of the total extent of Tamil Nadu. It ranks first in literacy among other districts in Tamil Nadu.  

History

 The area comprising the present Kanniakumari district was a part of the erstwhile Travancore state. In 1835, when the state was divided in to Northern and Southern divisions , this area formed part of Southern division and was placed in the charge of Dewan Peishkar, Kottayam. In July 1949, when the United States of Travancore and Cochin was inaugurated, the present Kanniyakumari area continued to be a part of Trivandrum district of Kerala State.

     The people of Agasteeswarem, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode Taluks, which formed the southern divisions of the former Trivandrum District, were predominantly Tamil speaking. They agitated for the merger of this area with Madras State. The States Reorganisation Commission also recommended this. Accordingly, the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 was passed and the Kanyakumari District was formed on 1st November 1956 , with the four Taluks, Viz., Agasteeswarem, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode and merged with Tamil Nadu.  Thiru. R .Thirumalai I.A.S assumed charge as  the first Collector of Kanniakumari District on 01.11.1956.

Location

    Kanyakumari is the southern most district of Tamil Nadu. The district lies between 77o 15' and 77o 36'   of the eastern longitudes and 8o 03'  and 8o 35'  of the northern Latitudes.     

    The District is bound by Tirunelveli District on the North and the east. The South Eastern boundary is the Gulf of Mannar. On the South and the South West, the boundaries are the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. On the West and North West it is bound by Kerala.

Demography

As of 2001, the district had a population of 1,676,034 and 65.2% of the district is urbanised. It has a high population density of 995.7 persons per km2 and is one of the highest literate regions with a total literacy rate of 87.6. The district also has a high female sex ratio of 1014 females born to every 1000 males.

Climate

The District has a favourable agro-climatic condition, which is suitable for growing a number of crops. The proximity of equator, its topography and other climate factors favour the growth of various crops.The paddy varieties grown in the second crop season in Thovalai and Agasteeswaram taluks are grown during the first crop season in Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks. This shows that there is distinct variation in the climatic conditions prevailing within the district. Unlike other district in Tamil Nadu, it has a rainfall both during the South West and the North East monsoons. The South West monsoon period starts from the month of June and ends in September, While the North East monsoon period starts from October and ends in the middle of December.

People and Culture

The people are the human resource of the District. Their culture, religion, aptitude,habits, beliefs, talents etc have a bearing on how the district presents itself to others. Tamil and Malayalam are the main languages of this district. Hindus and Christians form a sizeable percentage of the population of the district and there are a number of Muslims dominated belts in the district.  The caste system in the Society has weakened to a great extent especially after independence because of growth of education and improvements in transport and communication. Some of the communities in the district are Nadars, Nanjil Nadu Vellalars, Paravas, Mukthavas, Vilakki Thalanayar, Kammalar or Asari, Nairs, Chackarevars, Kerala Mudalis etc. Rice is the staple food of the rich and poor alike in the district. Some among the poorer section also use tapioca. Beverages like tea and coffee are widely spread even in to the rural area of the district.   

Festivals

FESTIVALS are held in all the taluks in connection with various celebrations in the temples, mosques and churches. The car festival at Suchindram attracts large number of crowds in the month of January. The Kodai festival in the month of March in the Mondaicadu temple in the Kalkulam Taluk gets a large gathering. The Thirukalya Utsavam in the Kumaracoil temple in the Kalkulam taluk in the month of March - April is observed as an important festival. Pongal in January and Deepavali in November are also occasions for festivity and rejoicing among the Hindu Communities. The Malayalis celebrate Onam in August - September with feasts and sports.  Muslims in all the taluks observe Muharram and Ramzan. Christmas is an important festival for the Christians. In the St.Xavier's Church at Kottar, as annual festival in the month of December is usually celebrated on a very grand scale and attracts Catholic people from all over South India.

Folk Arts

Many Folk arts and dances are  popular in this district. They are played during the time of festivals in temples, celebrations in schools etc.

Bow Song  (Villu Pattu) is an ancient form of musical - story - telling art of southern Tamil Nadu. This art is famous particularly in Southern Tamil Nadu.

Bow, the age -old weapon of warriors - paradoxically lends itself to be used as a primary musical instrument for the Villu Pattu artists. There are Udukku , Kudam, Thala - Kattai etc as supplementary instrument in their performances. Udukku mentioned in the ancient Tamil literature as Thudi, is a small drum with a slender middle portion which is held in the left hand and played by the fingers of the right hand . This may be seen in the pictures and statues of  Lord Nataraja, - the cosmic Dancer, adoring his left hand. Sometimes the Villu Pattu team divides itself into two groups, each trying to prove opposite view points of a subject by conducting the programme by exchange of questions and answers. This is called Lavani Pattu.  The songs used by the Villu-Pattu artists are mostly traditional folk-songs.

Thiruvathirai Kali  occupies the pride of place among the folk dances. It resembles Kummi and is played especially during Onam festival. The players are young girls. The necessary number of girls is 8,10,12 or 16 for each dance. They move round and sing in chorus. Each girl strikes the stick (Kole) which she holds in each hand and the striking of the sticks and the steps , which she makes are rhythmical to the tune.

Kalial  is a folk dance played by group of men or boys in the country side.  A group leader sings songs and keeps time with cymbals.   The players stand in a circle with sticks in their hand and dance round a lighted lamp repeating  the songs sung by the leader.  They turn, twist, lean forward and backward, squat and move round singing to the tune.  At  the beginning the steps are elaborate and at times, they are also very quick .  When invited to perform in a function, the players generally begin the dance with an invocation for heavenly aid and conclude the dance with a torch  - dance using lighted  torches.  This folk dance exhibits the artistic and recreative  life of the country side.

Food

Rice is the staple food of the people, although for some people in the hilly areas, tapioca is the main food. Though there are some vegetarians among the populace, a majority of the people use agro, meat and fish products. Fish caught in the seas around the district during the night or early morning hours reach the markets in the interior towns and villages in the early morning. The food is spicy, and the people in the district tend to use more grated coconut in their curries and food-preparations, like neighbouring Kerala.

Education

The Protestant missionaries who arrived in the 19th century were the first to introduce English education in the district. The founder of the English School in the erstwhile Travancore State was Reverend William Tobias RingleTaube, a native of Prussia. He came to the state in 1806 and devoted his whole energy to evangelistic work and English education. He incessantly preached, taught and established many schools for Christian and non- Christian poor children. From 1806 to 1816 he laid the foundation for the growth of Christianity and regular education in the area.

Several European missionaries who came to the district (then South Travancore) after Ringeltaube, also contributed immensely to the cause of regular education. Today, a number of old educational institutions in the district carry the names of these missionaries.

Kanyakumari District has a literacy rate of 87.6%.A variety of colleges of higher education are found throughout the district, mainly art, science and engineering colleges. The Scott Christian College, founded by RingleTaube in Nagercoil, is more than 100 years old.

Tourist Place

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial : Mahatma Gandhi MemorialThe place has been associated with great men like Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. Memorials have been made here by the name of each great man at this place. They are very beautiful and add to the attraction of this place also. The beautiful Gandhi Memorial completed in 1956. This is situated as a memorial to the Father of the Nation. Mahatma Gandhi visited Kanyakumari twice in the year of 1925 and 1937 respectively. In 1948 his ashes were immersed in the seawaters in Kanyakumari. In commemoration of this event a beautiful monument has been constructed here. The memorial was under the administrative control of the Public Information and Public Relations Department since1978.

Thiruvalluvar Statue:Thiruvalluvar is the immortal poet of Tamil Nadu. The memorial statue of Thiruvalluvar is present in Kanyakumari. The pedestal of the statue is of 38 feet height and the statue over it is 95 feet tall. Thus all total this entire sculpture is of 133 feet height. The 3-tier pedestal, which is known as Atharapeedam, is surrounded by an artistic Mandapa. This mandapa is known as Alankara Mandapam with 38 feet height. To help the tourists to worship the holy feet of Thiruvalluvar 140 steps are constructed inside the Mandapa. The pedestal with a height of 38 feet represents the 38 chapters in the Book of Aram in Thirukural and the statue of 95 feet on the pedestal represents the total chapters in Porul i.e. 70 chapters and Inbam i.e. 25 Chapters. Thus the statue symbolically, and artistically signifies that the theme of Porul and Inbam are based on Aram. This place is an important one for the historians.

Kamarajar Manimandapam : Another monument Kamarajar Manimandapam is also very famous. This is dedicated to Late. Sri. Kamarajar. He was a freedom fighter and Former Chief minister of Tamil Nadu. He was also the President of Indian National Congress. He was popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses and king maker during congress regime. This monument was constructed where his ashes were kept here for public to pay homage before immersion into the sea.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial: Vivekananda Rock Memorial is another place in Kanyakumari, which attracts large number of tourists. As its name implies, it is essentially a sacred monument, built by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee to commemorate the visit of Swamy Vivekananda to "Shripada Parai" during 24th, 25th and 26th December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment.

View Tower and Telescope House: Kanyakumari View TowerPanoramic view of landscape, seashore, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue etc., can be seen at View Tower and through Telescope.

Kumari - Hall of history: It is located at the south side of Kanyakumari Railway Station. This place exhibits the pictures of historical wonders and also comprised rare photographs of Kamarajar, Gandhiji and other freedom fighters.

Suchindrum: Suchindrum is a small village situated at about 12 km. from Kanyakumari and about seven kilometres from Nagercoil. This holy place is located on the bank of the river Pazhayar, adjoining fertile fields and coconut groves and the temple is dedicated to Sri Sthanumalayan. The word denotes Siva, Vishnu and Brahmma. This can be explained as Sthanu represents Siva, Mal represents Vishnu while Ayan represents Brahma i.e. Siva, Vishnu and Brahma in "One Form". Suchindrum means the place where Indra attained `Suchi` i.e. purification. This place is well visited by the tourists as there are very less number of temples that have the idol of trinity.

Mathoor Hanging Bridge: The Mathoor Hanging Trough is the tallest as well as the longest trough bridge in Asia. This bridge is 115 feet height and one kilometer lengthy. This was constructed in 1966. This bridge has become a place of tourist importance and hundreds of tourists visit this place every time they visit Kanyakumari. This is situated in Mathoor, hamlet of Aruvikkarai revenue village in Thiruvattar Panchayat Union.

The trough has a height of seven feet with a width of seven feet six inches. 28 huge pillars are shouldering the canal. At the time of Thiru. K. Kamaraj, who was the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, this canal was constructed as a drought relief measure and for the development of agriculture in Vilavancode and Kalkulam Taluks. The District Administration has recently put up a staircase from top to the bottom of the bridge and also built children`s park and bathing platforms over here. This place is very popular among the tourists as both aged and children can enjoy at the same time.

The Navarathri Mandapa : To the west of the Zuppirika Mandapa there is the Navarathri Mandapa. This is a spacious hall of exquisitely beautiful granite pillars with drooping pendants reminiscent of the Nayakar style of architecture. In the Navarathri Mandapa, performances of Bharatha Natya and musical recitals took place in the royal presence. Royal people enjoy this with full enthusiasm.

Pechiparai Dam : This dam has been constructed about 43 km. from Nagercoil. This dam in Kalkulam Taluk was built during the days of the Maharaja Sri Moolam Thirunal across the river Kodayar. The construction of the dam was designed on the pattern of the Periyar dam in the Madurai district. This 425.1mts lengthy dam has a catchments area of 204.8 sq. km. There is a camp shed provided at the dam side for the visitors. The weather is very pleasant here. This place often attracts a large number of tourists. Dense forests that are famous for their valuable trees surround the reservoir. These forests are also full of wild animals such as tiger, elephants, deer etc. `Kanikars` is the tribe that lives in this place but they are very small in number.

Tirparappu Water Falls : Tirparappu Water FallsThis falls is present at the distance of about 13 km. from Pechiparai dam. The riverbed is rocky and about 300 feet in length. The water falls from a height of nearly 50 feet. The water flows for about seven months in a year. The whole bed above the falls is one rocky mass, which extends up to a distance of about quarter of a kilometer upstream. There is a temple situated nearby dedicated to Siva enclosed by strong fortification. The District Administration has recently constructed a swimming pool for children over here. This is very popular among the children. This is located at the distance of 13 km. from Pechiparai dam.

Maruthuva Malai : The Maruthuva Malai is also known as the Marunthu Vazhum Malai. This place is known as the abode of medicinal herbs, forms from part of the Western Ghats. According to tradition, the Maruthuva Malai is a fragment of the Sanjeevi Mountain, a piece of which fell down here, and it was carried by Hanuman from Mahendragiri to Srilanka for healing the fatal wounds of Lakshmana. It stretches for more than a km, reaching a height of 800 feet at the highest point. It is about 11km. from Nagercoil.

ChitharalChitharal: This is a small village situated at a distance of 7 Kms. from Marthandam and 45 Kms, from Kanyakumari. It is famous for the Rock-cut temple. There is a Hillock present at Chitharal. This hillock has a cave containing Rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendant deities. These are carved inside and outside of the caves dating back to 9th Century A.D. It was converted into Bagavathy Temple in the 13th Century A.D. Cars and Vans can go up to the foot of the hill. One has to walk for about 10 minutes to reach the temple. The Jain images have been preserved Central Archeological Survey of India.

Ulakkai Aruvi : Ulakkai Aruvi is a natural waterfall. This is situated in Azhagiapandipuram village of Thovalai Taluk. Water is available in this waterfall in the summer season. Many tourists come here for bathing and to enjoy the nature. Bathing in this waterfall is really refreshing. The pathway to this waterfall lies in the Reserve Forest as well.

Mukkadal: This is a natural dam. T. Chitirai Maharaja constructed this. It supplies water to Nagercoil Municipality and it is also proposed to get water from here for Suchindrum and Kanyakumari. It is very picturesque spot and ideal for picnics by groups.

Bay Watch (Water Theme Amusement Park), Kanyakumari:The water theme amusement park at sunset point offers a unique way to experience the exotic grandeur of Kanyakumari in its integrals. Bay watch comes up with a wholesome family entertainment of ecstatic experience Great fun styles equaling international standards keep you on the ecstatic brink of frenzy. Some of the fun loaded rides like Bumping Car, Sky Cab, Crazy Chairs, Hot Tea Cups, Giant Wheel, Columbus, Wave pool, Milky Way, Multiple Splash, Kids Pool are some of our attractions. The location being a prominent place of national integration, by all means, Baywatch has become the abode of leisure, happiness laughter, family gatherings, etc. The search for providing unique and multiple entertainment facilities that match with international standards pave the way for introduction of India`s first Wax Museum, which is line with the Madam Tussauds Wax Museum at London.