History, Importance, Architecture, Timings, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Saint Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumar, Tamil Nadu, India
Saint Thiruvalluvar statue is a 133 feet (40.6 meters) tall stone sculpture of the famous Tamil poet and philosopher located on small island near the town of Kanyakumari. This gigantic statue was built by the Tamil government in honour of the Saint Thiruvalluvar which is now one of the key attraction in Kanyakumari. This stone sculpture has been made in a 38 feet long pedestal. Along with the height of the pedestal the statue is of 133 feet. The 38 feet of the pedestal represents the 38 chapters of the virtue and the total 133 feet represents the 133 chapters in Thirukkural – the sacred couplets. The total weight of the Statue is 7000 tons. The visitors are attracted by seeing the Thiruvalluvar statue - built using principles of Vastu science, surrounding the ocean and it sets a majestic view for the visitors. Tourist can reach easily via short ferry ride.
The 3 tier pedestal known as Atharapeedam is surrounded by an artistic Mandapa known as Alankara Mandapam and further it is surrounded by 10 elephant statues presenting 8 directions on earth and 2 on space. Tourists has to climb around 140 steps to reach holy feet of saint Thiruvalluvar.
Status has the other interesting unique feature, it is the right hand with three fingers pointing towards the sky which represent the three sections of the excellent text Thirukkural - Aram, Porul, and Inbam which mean virtue, wealth, and love.
The most attracting thing about the Statue is the detailing of the 19 feet face of the Saint. The individual stones are supported by stubs of Palmyra tree and ironwood.
The foundation of the statue started in 1979, by the prime minister but the installation and sculpting started in 1990. The construction completed in year 1999 and the inauguration was done by the chief minister of the Tamil Nadu on January 1st 2000. This stone sculpture are designed in such a way that it can withstand in the natural calamities like Earthquake.
Address – Near Vivekananda Puram, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu – 629702.How to reach Saint Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is well connected by roads with the major cities of the state. The statue is just 400 meters away from the mainland. It is located near Vivekananda Puram from where you take the ferry. The ferry stops at the Thiruvalluvar Statue on its way to Vivekananda Rock Memorial. The nearest Railway Station is Kanyakumari Railway Station at a distance of 1km. Kanyakumari the southernmost city and district place of Tamil Nadu, India and one of the best tourist destination of India. Thus it is very well connected with Air, Rail and Road network. Kanyakumari is at distance of 20 km from Nagercoil, 85 km from Tirunelveli, 90 km from Trivandrum - Kerala, 135 km from Tuticorin, 245 km from Madurai, 375 km from Trichy, and 707 km from Chennai the capital of Tamil Nadu. Daily train connected to all cities from Kanniyakumari and Nagercoil railway junction which holds important transit point in south India. The nearest International airport from Kanyakumari is Thiruvananthapuram Airport at110 km. By road network, Kanyakumari is connected with all major cities of Tamil Nadu and India. National Highways NH7 and various state highways intersect at Kanyakumari.
