The Temple of Virgin Goddess

Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of India and the merging point of three seas; the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. It is named behind the virgin Goddess Kanyakumari whose temple is located here on its shore.

This temple is devoted to an expression of Parvati, the virgin goddess who achieve penance to obtain Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. The temple is a main tourist attraction with adjacent ghat, wonderfully located overlooking the shore. It is a well-known belief that the diamond nose-ring of the deity is so shiny that it is visible still from the sea.

There are two rocks emerging out of the ocean, situated southeast of the Kumari Amman temple. One among these is Sri Padaparai, wherever the way of the virgin goddess is supposed to be imprinted on this rock. It is said that Swami Vivekananda sat in deep thought here and therefore the Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built in 1970. Along with this there also a dhyana mandapam, which provides a tranquil atmosphere to meditate.
Myth connected To The Temple

Legends say that the wedding of Kanya Devi, an avatar of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva was to be held here. Other than he did not arrived at the positive time and the wedding never took place. The food that was to be cooked was left uncooked.
At present the stones resemble rice and cereals which can also be bought. According to the people residing here these stones are the leftovers of the legendary marriage that might not be solemnized. As for the princess Kanya Devi, she became a virgin goddess, blessing everybody who visits this temple.