I was visiting Trivandrum and was in two minds about making the trip to Kanyakumari. I was glad I did. I hired a car and driver. The cost was no greater than the package day tours but with much more flexibility. We got to Kanyakumari abut 3pm. No queue for the 3.30pm boat to Vikevenanda Rock. Got into the spirit of the place. A special place for Hindus and the great Vikevenanda. Next morning watched the sunrise from the viewing tower. I have done this in many places. Here it is very powerful and very spiritual. I stayed at the Sparsa hotel which was not a bad choice, walkable to the sunrise Point but if I went again I would stay at the Tamil Nadu Hotel. Set in grounds it has an historic wing called the Cape Block. It is a somewhat shabby hotel but it would be my pick. Returning to Trivandrum the next day I visited the Padmanabhapuram Palace which I highly recommend.

We took a ferry to the Vivikananda Rock. The regular ferry ride at the very long line is Rs. 75 both way, however the VIP tickets are available for Rs. 300. The place is nicely maintained and really lovely. After the walking around the rock, we went to the meditation hall and meditated for the 20+ minutes. The energy of the hall is amazing. There no VIP line for the return ride, however the boats coming one after another. Needless to say that we were only one farangs there. People took a lots of pictures of us like we were taking the pictures of monkeys. The 41-metre-tall(133 ft) stone sculpture of the Tamil poet and philosopher Valluvar, known as Thiruvallur is under construction.

Visited this place as part of our trip to Kanyakumari. There was a calming charm in the place right from the time we landed there from the boat. The views of the seas are beautiful from here as are the views of the sangam ghats. The place is very clean aside from some plastic bottles that some people had thrown near the entrance. Worth a visit

Kanyakumari is a special destination in many different ways. When we think about Southernmost tip of the India, we remember Kanyakumari and at the same time when we think about Kanyakumari, we remember Vivekananda Rock. Vivekananda Rock is the most visited and Most crowded place of Kanyakumari. Vivekananda Rock memorial was built as a mark of respect to the legendary Swami Vivekananda and Inaugurated by then the President of India Shri V.V.Giri on 02-Sep-1970. We have visited Kanyakumari during last week of December 2023 and this is third time I visited and in all the three times I was excited to visit Vivekananda Rock as this is so natural and beautiful location of Sothern tip. This is located in Southern tip of the Country on small island which is inside the Ocean where all three oceans meet at one place. Interesting Facts about Vivekananda Rock: 1. Located at such a Unique location that to on small Island inside Ocean where the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean converge. 2. This is the spot where the great Indian spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda meditated and attained enlightenment in 1892. 3. Vivekananda Rock memorial is built on the top of one rock which is adjacent to another rock on which Thiruvalluvar Statue is installed. 4. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial houses two main structures namely Vivekananda Mandapam and Shripada Mandapam. 5. Vivekananda attained enlightenment at this place while sitting on rock and meditating. Entry Fee: 30 INR per Person

The Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari is a stunning monument situated on a small island off the southernmost tip of India. This serene spot, dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, offers breathtaking views of the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea. A visit here is both spiritually uplifting and visually captivating, making it a must-see destination in Kanyakumari.