Quick Getaways near Kanniyakumari

Vattakottai - 6 kms away from Kanniyakumari is the Circular Fort, a great picnic spot that overlooks the sea and makes for a suitable bathing area. Just 13 kms from Kanniyakumari, Suchindram has a temple dedicated to a deity who is the illustration of the combined forces of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. The temple has a beautiful gopuram, musical pillars and an excellent statue of the monkey god Hanuman, apart from a valuable collection of art from different periods. 19 kms off Kanniyakumari is Nagercoil, the site of the famous   Nagaraja   temple  where  the  images  of   Lord   Shiva   and

The Udhayagiri Fort - This fort is located at a distance of 14 kms. from Nagercoil. This was the crucial military station of the Travancore rulers, when Padmanabapuram was capital of Travancore. It had been originally built in the year 1600 AD, and then Marthanda Varma rebuilt it. East India company's troops were stationed there till the middle of the 19th century. The fort enclosed with an area of about 90 acres and contains an isolated hill, which affords a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The tombs of Dalhousie, his wife and his son can be seen inside a partly ruined chapel in the fort.

Kalakkadu & Mundanthurai - Kalakkadu and Mundanthurai Sanctauries are situated in an extensive preserve as "Tiger Project Reserve". This Wild life Sanctuary is situated in an area of 233 Sq. km. in Tirunelveli District, including the foothills of western Ghats and the adjoining area. The flora ranges from forests of tropical wet evergreen to tropical dry deciduous and thorn forest at down hills. Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri tahr, Sambar, Sloth bear, Gaur, Elephant, Tiger, Flying Squirrel, Panther, wild dog, Pangoline are some of the wild life seen in the sanctuary. Besides, a wide range of birds and reptiles can be seen. Trekking can be done with prior permission from the Forest (Wildlife) Department.

Events in Kanniyakumari

Being a religious place makes Kanniyakumari the center of a lot of action during major Hindu festivals. The Chithra Poornami festival starts in the second week of April and continues till May. The Navaratri celebrations start in September and October. The temples are all decked up and pilgrims flow in. Some other festivals include the Annual Holy festival of RC Church, Skanda Shasti, Katta Bomman festival and the Saral festival.

Getting There & Away to Kanniyakumari

	The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram (80-km), which is well connected with national and International flights. From Thiruvananthapuram one can take a taxi or bus to Kanniyakumari.
	Kanniyakumari is well connected by train services with all the places in India. Superfast trains connect the southern most railhead of India with northern cities like Jammu and Delhi. Intercity trains are running from almost all the southern cities.
	Kanniyakumari is connected by regular bus services with Chennai, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Trichy, Madurai, Mandapam (Rameshwaram), Nagercoil, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Tiruvelveli, Trivandrum, etc. Town bus service, tourist taxis and auto rickshaws are available.

Getting Around in Kanniyakumari

The local bus service, tourist taxis and autos are the modes of transportation that can get you around. The buses can get very crowded though the service is pretty regular. And, like other cities and towns in India, look for meters in auto rickshaws and taxis.