Thiruvalluvar Statue

    The Thiruvalluvar Statue is an iconic monument located on a small island near Kanyakumari, at the southernmost tip of India. Standing 133 feet tall, the statue is dedicated to the revered Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the author of the ancient Tamil text "Thirukkural," which consists of 1,330 couplets on ethics, politics, and love. The statue was inaugurated on January 1, 2000, and has since become a symbol of Tamil culture and literature.

Visitors reach the statue via a short ferry ride from the mainland, which also offers views of the nearby Vivekananda Rock Memorial. The statue's pedestal represents the 38 chapters of virtue in the "Thirukkural," while the statue itself stands for the 700 chapters on wealth and love. The architectural design combines elements of Dravidian and modern styles, making it a striking landmark. The Thiruvalluvar Statue not only serves as a tribute to the poet's literary contributions but also provides a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea from its base.