Harshvardhan Mishra
India, a land of diverse geographical features, stretches from the mighty Himalayas in the north to the vast Indian Ocean in the south. While many are aware of its northernmost extremes, the southernmost point of India often becomes a topic of confusion due to multiple references found in textbooks and online sources. So, where exactly is India’s southern tip? Let’s delve deep into the geography, significance, and surrounding facts to understand the southernmost point of the Indian Republic.
1. Clarifying the Confusion: Mainland vs. Entire Territory
Before identifying the exact southernmost point, it’s important to distinguish between:
- Southernmost point of mainland India
- Southernmost point of the entire Indian territory
Let’s explore both.
2. Southernmost Point of Mainland India: Kanyakumari
🔹 Location:
- Coordinates: 8.0883° N, 77.5385° E
- State: Tamil Nadu
- District: Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari, formerly known as Cape Comorin, is often referred to as the southernmost tip of India. However, this is only partially true—Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of the Indian mainland, not of the entire Indian territory.
🔹 Geographical Importance:
- It’s the point where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean converge.
- It’s a popular tourist destination known for its sunrise and sunset views over the ocean, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, and the Thiruvalluvar Statue.
🔹 Cultural and Religious Significance:
- Kanyakumari is named after Goddess Kanyakumari, an incarnation of Parvati.
- The area has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries and is revered by Hindus.
✅ Note: Kanyakumari is accessible by road, rail, and air, making it a symbolic yet easily reachable “end point” of India for most travelers.
3. Southernmost Point of Indian Territory: Indira Point
🔹 Location:
- Coordinates: 6.7468° N, 93.8426° E
- Island: Great Nicobar Island
- Union Territory: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Indira Point is the true southernmost point of the Republic of India. Located on the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island, it lies much further south than Kanyakumari.
🔹 Historical Background:
- Originally known as Parsons Point, it was renamed Indira Point in 1985 in honor of Indira Gandhi, India’s first female Prime Minister.
- The renaming coincided with the inauguration of a lighthouse at this location.
🔹 Accessibility:
- Indira Point is remote and not directly accessible to the general public.
- It requires special permission due to its strategic and ecological sensitivity.
- The nearest major island town is Campbell Bay, connected via helicopter or sea routes from Port Blair.
🔹 Impact of the 2004 Tsunami:
- The devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004, submerged large parts of Indira Point.
- The Indira Point lighthouse, once clearly visible, was partially submerged, and the land level in that region dropped by almost 4.25 meters.
4. Comparison: Kanyakumari vs. Indira Point
| Feature | Kanyakumari | Indira Point |
|---|---|---|
| Location Type | Mainland | Island |
| Latitude | 8.0883° N | 6.7468° N |
| State/Union Territory | Tamil Nadu | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Accessibility | Easy (road/rail) | Difficult (requires permissions) |
| Tourist Infrastructure | High | Minimal |
| Symbolic vs Actual Extreme | Symbolic End of Mainland | Actual Southernmost Point of India |
5. Strategic Importance of Indira Point
Despite its remote location, Indira Point holds strategic military and geopolitical importance:
- Naval Surveillance: Its proximity to the Strait of Malacca, one of the busiest maritime trade routes in the world, gives India a critical observation and defense point.
- Tri-Service Command: The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), based in Port Blair, is India’s only tri-service command, overseeing operations in this area.
- Geopolitical Leverage: India’s presence in Great Nicobar gives it reach across the Indo-Pacific region, crucial for maintaining maritime security.
6. Environmental and Ecological Significance
Great Nicobar Island, home to Indira Point, is part of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, which features:
- Rich Biodiversity: Endangered species like the Nicobar Megapode, Giant Leatherback Turtle, and Saltwater Crocodile.
- Tribal Presence: Home to indigenous tribes like the Shompens and Nicobarese.
- Ecological Fragility: The region is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis and falls under a seismic zone.
For this reason, development and travel in this area are highly regulated.
7. Future Developments
India has been planning infrastructure upgrades to enhance connectivity and defense preparedness in the region, including:
- Proposed Transshipment Port at Galathea Bay (near Indira Point)
- Improved air and sea connectivity between Port Blair and southern Nicobar Islands
- Controlled eco-tourism initiatives with sustainability guidelines
8. How to Visit the Southernmost Point of India
Visiting Kanyakumari:
- Best Time: October to March
- How to Reach:
- By Air: Nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport (approx. 90 km)
- By Rail: Well-connected by trains across India
- By Road: Accessible via national highways
Visiting Indira Point:
- Requires special permission from:
- Andaman and Nicobar Administration
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- Travel Options:
- Ship or helicopter to Campbell Bay
- From Campbell Bay, limited connectivity to Indira Point by forest roads or boats
9. Fun Facts
- The Indira Point lighthouse has a height of 35 meters and was inaugurated on 30 April 1972 (before being renamed).
- Indira Point is just 145 km from Indonesia’s Sumatra island—closer than it is to mainland India.
- Kanyakumari is the only place in India where you can see both sunrise and sunset over the ocean from the same point.
Conclusion
While Kanyakumari is widely celebrated as the southernmost tip due to its symbolic and accessible nature, Indira Point on Great Nicobar Island is the actual southernmost point of India—a remote, lesser-known but strategically vital location.
Understanding this distinction is essential not just for geographical accuracy, but also to appreciate the diversity and complexity of India’s vast territory, stretching from the snow-covered Himalayas to the tropical forests of the Nicobar Islands.
Image Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1889137
