Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanniyakumari

The Thiruvalluvar Statue is an imposing monument located in the coastal town of Kanniyakumari at the southern tip of India. This colossal sculpture stands at a height of 133 feet (40.6 meters) and is perched atop a small island near the confluence of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. It is a tribute to the revered Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, who penned the classic Tamil text, the Thirukkural.

Crafted by the renowned Indian sculptor V. Ganapati Sthapati, the statue was unveiled on January 1, 2000. The grandeur of the sculpture is not just in its impressive height but also in its intricate design and the cultural significance it holds. The statue's height was specifically chosen to represent the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural. It stands on a 38-foot pedestal that represents the 38 chapters of virtue, the first of the three sections of the Thirukkural.

Visitors can reach the statue by ferry, which provides a scenic ride and a unique perspective of the coastline. Once there, one can gaze up at the towering figure of Thiruvalluvar, whose right hand is held up with three fingers pointing skyward, symbolizing the three themes of the Thirukkural – virtue, wealth, and love.