According to Hindu legend, Goddess Parashakti took the form of Kumari Kanya to kill the demon Banasur. He could have been killed only by a virgin. Kumari worshiped Shiva to get Shiva as her husband. Shiva agreed and the marriage was fixed. However, sage Narada tried to annul the marriage in several ways as he knew that the goddess must be unmarried in order to kill the demon Banasura. So Shiva failed to show up on his wedding day, later, Devi decided to remain unmarried.

When Banasur heard about the beauty of the goddess, he wanted to forcibly marry the goddess. If he can defeat Devi then he is ready to marry her. The goddess annihilated him, but before dying he realized the presence of Shakti in the goddess and asked for forgiveness. Devi forgives him.
  
Kumari Temple was built by the Pandian kings of Maduru. It is a small temple situated by the sea at the confluence of three seas, before entering the temple, devotees take a dip in the Tiruveni Sangam, located 500 meters to the left of the temple. It is said that whoever takes a dip in the waters here washes away their sins.

The entrance to the temple is done through the northern gate, however, due to the eastern entrance being closed, the deity faces east. It is believed that the light emanating from the nostril-ring of the deity's nose was interpreted as the light from the lighthouse. The ships in the sea crashed after hitting the rocks. Thus the east gate was closed and opens only five times a year. The statue of Kanya Kumari garlanded in black stone in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is enchanting and the dazzling nose ring visible from afar has special significance.
 
Seva and Puja: Whole day except three hour break in the afternoon.

Celebration

The Kalabham festival is significant in the month of Tamil (July-August). On the last Friday of the Tamil month the deity's image is covered with sandalwood paste, on the 15th day, the last Friday of the month Navaram sees the procession on all nine days. Banasura is destroyed at the end of Navratri and on Vijaya Dashami. Vaisakhi Festival is celebrated for 10 days in the month of May.
 

Best time to visit: Throughout the year

Interesting fact:

Kanyakumari, at the southernmost point of India, is a beautiful place to experience both sunrise and sunset simultaneously. In 1892, Swami Vivekananda stayed and meditated overnight at Kanyakumari, where his memorial is now.

Nearby Places

Vivekananda Rock Memorial, where Vivekananda meditated in 1892. Padmanabhapuram Palace Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple, dedicated to the serpent deities.