 Kanyakumari is not only a tourist centre but also a pilgrimage spot, considered very important by all Hindus. It is the place where Devi herself assumed the form of a maiden for the purpose of killing the demon,
Banasura.
Banasura is described to be one of the most valiant and treacherous of demons in the Puranas. He had obtained a boon from the Lord that he could not be killed by any man. Though he was a devotee and undertook severe penance, his demonic nature returned to him once he received the boon and as is usual, he indulged in all sorts of adharma and caused untold misery to one and all. Bhooma Devi (Mother Earth) could not bear this atrocity and she represented to Brahma who in turn took her to Vishnu, to vanquish Banasura. Lord Vishnu was worried because Banasura had received the boon, not to be killed by any man and he finally came out with the solution too. Banasura could not be killed by any man. The boon doesn’t say anything about his being slayed by a woman.
The Devas performed fire austerities - Yaga - invoking Devi to come to their aid. Devi came out of the homa-kunda in the form of a young girl and consoled the Devas. She asked them to be patient till the time is propitious for the killing of Banasura. She then reached
 Kanyakumari - the point of confluence of three seas - and spent the time in meditation on Lord Shiva. She grew up into a maiden, the lovely, divine maiden that She is. Lord Shiva was pleased by her meditation on Him. He soon fell in love with her and sought Her hand. The wedding arrangements were made with the consent of
Devi.
However, this shocked the celestials, since Banasura could only be killed by a maiden. The proposed wedding of the Divine Couple would therefore come in the way of the whole purpose behind the incarnation of Devi.
The legend goes on to say that Narada intervened and confused Devi saying that Banasura might have assumed the form of Lord Shiva and that he should be asked to bring three items that could not be obtained anywhere in the world - a coconut without eyes, a sugarcane without stump - joints - and the betel leaf without veins. He should bring these three items on a Friday morning before the cock crew, and that would prove that He was Lord Shiva and not Banasura. And the Lord brought these items. Narada was taken aback that his plan did not work and he immediately assumed the form of a cock and crew, before the Lord could reach Devi. The Lord then returned, as it was futile to pursue the matter any further.
In the meantime, Banasura heard of the beauty of this maiden and came to Her, seeking Her hand. Devi then challenged him for a duel, saying that if at all he could marry her, it could only be after he wins Her in the battle. And in the battle that ensued, She killed Banasura.
The Asura repented for his misdeeds at the time of his death and prayed to Her to condole him. He also requested that those who took the holy dip in the place he was killed should be absolved of their sins. Devi granted him the boon and to this day people have their holy dip in the Banasura Theertha
ghat, in the seashore of Kanyakumari.
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Devi Kanyakumari has her shrine in the place and it is said that she is in penance, seeking the hand of Her Lord, to unite with Him in wedlock - the marriage that didn’t take place.
The rock on which she stood in penance, on one leg, before slaying Banasura, is the same rock on which Vivekananda Rock Memorial is constructed now. Her footmark is left on the rock, permanently embedded on the rock. There is a structure constructed around Her footmark, known as ‘Sri Pada Mandapam.’
 And in the shore, Her temple stands tall and majestic, surrounded by the usual shops that are found around all temples - selling shells, beads, artefacts made of shells, conches, in addition to the usual wares. An unusual serenity prevails in the vast prakara of the temple, beyond the flagstaff. There is a barricade alongside the wall, leading to the sanctum sanctorum. There She stands, the maiden that she is, with rosary in hand, in permanent penance, with a graceful smile that carries away the heart of Her devotees.
The speciality is her nose ring. The dazzle from the diamond embedded in her nose ring is so well known and renders Her devotees speechless, in joy. The story is that the diamond was obtained from a King Cobra by one Marthandan and was embedded in Her nose ring. The light reflected on it is so bright that - according to the legend - an ancient mariner mistook it for the light from lighthouse and turned his ship shoreward. Unfortunately, the ship knocked against a rock and wrecked. It is therefore that the eastern door of the sanctum sanctorum, facing the sea is always kept closed, even to this day. This door is opened only on five occasions in a year during Utsava time for Devi to have her bath in the sea.
There are Thyaga Soundhari, Indra Vinayaka, Nagairaja, and Badrakali sannadhis in the prakara.
The Sthala Purana says that the idol was installed by Lord Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The stone inscriptions say that the present structure was built by Pandya kings, though the temple has been in existence right from 3rd century.
 Devi is taken in procession to Mahadanapuram, around 4
kms north of Kanyakumari, on the tenth day of Navarathri festival, the place where Devi slew Banasura. The Banasura Vadham is performed by the priests there with the deity-in-procession and the image of Banasura. The deity is then brought back to the temple. This is known as pari vettai.
And there remains Devi, in a placid surrounding with her serene smile, deep in meditative penance, thinking of Her Lord.
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