Located ideally overlooking the shore, Kanyakumari Amman Temple has an amazing architecture. The temple is dedicated to the virgin goddess Bhagavathy Amman, an incarnation of goddess Parvati. The temple is a Shakti Peetha attracting devotees from far and wide. The temple was built by the Pandyas and later new structures were to it by the Nayaks. The beautiful idol of the goddess inside the shrine sports a nose-ring, which is famous for its brilliant shine. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple. The temple is 3000 years old.

According to the legend, goddess Kanya Devi, an incarnation of goddess Parvati, was  to get married to lord Shiva. But when the time came he did not show up for the marriage for some unavoidable reason and their marriage could never solemnize. It is said that the rice and cereals which were to be cooked for the marriage feast remained uncooked. And mystically even today such stones that look like rice and cereals are found in Kanyakumari. As the marriage could not take place, the goddess came to be known as a virgin goddess.

Located near the temple are the two rocks, which seem to rise from the sea. One of the rocks is marked with the footprints of the virgin goddess. The other rock is the site where Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment.