KANYAKUMARIShakti at India's southernmost pointBy Deepa KandaswamyIf you believe in the magic of full moon nights, you will have to come to Kanyakumari to understand that what you knew was not even half the story. There is something achingly beautiful about standing at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula, watching three magnificent expanses of water merge somewhere ahead of you and, as if this was not overwhelming enough, see the moon and the sun upon the same sky, one rising and the other setting with soundless reluctance, for they too seem unwilling to leave this mesmerising place. Is it any wonder that even goddesses and saints chose to meditate in this natural spiritual retreat, which calms the senses and inspires them as well. I was not surprised when I was told that ticket cancellations are very common as most people who come to Kanyakumari end up extending their stay.
Legends and mythology
Shiva had granted demon Banasuran a boon that that no one except a virgin woman could kill him. King Bharat, who ruled the Indian subcontinent in ancient times, had eight daughters and a son. He divided his kingdom into nine equal parts and gave the southern portion to his beautiful daughter Kumari. She was the earthly incarnation of Goddess Shakti. She ruled her land splendidly. Kumari prayed to Shiva, for she wished to marry him. He agreed and the wedding was arranged. However, Sage Narada tricked Shiva into stopping at Suchindram, 13 km from here, as the gods wanted her to kill Banasuran first. Over time, all the wedding gifts and arrangements are believed to have turned into the different coloured sands of the beach here.
When Banasuran heard of her beauty, he asked for her hand in marriage. She agreed to marry him if he could defeat her in battle. He tried and she killed him. Before dying, he realised he was in the presence of Goddess Shakti, and asked her to forgive him, which she did. However, she remained a kanya (an unmarried girl/ woman) till the end of her earthly days. Kanyakumari is called thus in her memory.
Architecture and antiquity
The Kumari Amman Temple was built in the 8th century by the Pandiyan kings of Madurai, and then renovated and added to by the Cholas and Nayaks.