Things to Do in Kanyakumari

Constructed in the 18th century during the rule of the Travancore dynasty, Vattakottai Fort is a monument with significant historical value. The Fort is currently protected and preserved by the Archaeological Department of India. Located amid the sea shores at one side and the astonishing views of the Western Ghats on the other side, the Fort is a must visit for tourists vacationing in Tamil Nadu.It was built under the guidance of Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, a confidante of King Marthanda Varma of Travancore. The main objective of building the fort was to create a defense fortification mechanism against enemies. It spreads across an area of 3.5 acres of land along the Bay of Bengal sea coast. The fort is encircled by walls about 25 feet in height with the front walls being 29 feet thick and the sidewalls 18 feet thick.Granite stones had been used to construct the massive structure. The fort consists of watch towers, army shacks and other facilities for the armies and protection against any attacks. It also has a secret tunnel that connects the fort to the Padmanabhapuram Palace.Location: The fort is located at Vattakottai in Tamil Nadu.Timing: The fort is open every day of the week from 8:00 AM till 5:00 PM.

Named after the iconic 15th-century Spanish missionary St. Francis Xavier, and a miracle that took place on this spot marked this as one of the holiest places in South India & Sri Lanka for Catholics. This heritage building, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kanyakumari, was built in the same place where a shrine dedicated to Mother Mary stood. It was renovated in 1865 and in the 1930s, the church’s status was raised to a cathedral. This has led the cathedral to have a beautiful mix of Gothic, Romanesque, and Indian architecture. It has 12 towers representing the 12 Apostles and church bells that were imported from Italy in 1900 AD. The cathedral has huge statues of St. Francis Xavier and Mother Mary who is dressed in a saree. The stained-glass windows create a beautiful rainbow-like effect inside the charming halls. Every year in December, the feast of Our Lady of Ransom is celebrated with thousands of people attending the flag hoisting, special prayers, and the culmination ceremony that has a golden car procession. Lady of Delight and her spouse St. Joseph are taken in these cars made in 1798 and 1833. Location: Kottar, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari.