The Mahabharata mentions Kanyakumari as the southern end and Gokarna as the northern end of Kerala. In addition, the Vanaparva has a few mentions of Kanyakumari. According to the Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 25, bathing here makes one illustrious. As per Mahabharata Aranyaparva Chapter 85, during the writing of the epic, Kanyakumari was part of the Pandya kingdom and Gokarna was surrounded by the sea. It was also believed that bathing at Kanyakumari would rid one of all sins.

There are many stories about Kanyakumari. A few are given below. The wife of Apanjika, a brahmin in Kashi was able to rid herself of a curse for infidelity after she walked to Kanyakumari and bathed there. Maya’s daughter Punyakashi once conducted 3 yajnas to appease Shiva, who then asked her what boon she desired. She said she wanted to be merged with Shiva forever. Shiva answered that a year was amde of 365 days, the Kaliyuga would last 400033 years. Also, 2000 Kritatretadwaparakali chaturyugas made up one day for Brahma. 30 such days would make a month and 12 such months a year. A hundred years of Brahma ends in a pralaya. Ten pralayas make up one lifetime for Vishnu. Ten of Vishnu’s lifetimes make up one second for Shiva. And that would be the time for the final destruction. He blessed that until that time she should meditate at the shores of the ocean in the south and that place would be known as Kanyakshetra. In the meantime, she would also kill Banasura and other asuras. Punyakashi thus set out for the ocean shore and with a garland in hand, she began meditating. When Banasura conquered the three worlds and began his evil rule, he wished to marry Punyakashi. He went to see her but first sent two messengers Durmukha, Durdarshana. She refused, and in the battle that ensued, Bana was killed. This is the spot where Chakratheertha is located in Kanyakumari as per Skandapurana.

According to Padmapurana, Kanyakumari was the child born as maya during the time of Krishna’s avatar.

It is believed that the coastline used to extend much beyond the current Kanyakumari as many earlier works mention it. As per the Sethupurana, Kanyakumari was the Adisetu, Dhanushkoti Madhyasetu and Kodikkara was the Andyasetu.

There are also historical mentions of Kanyakumari as a spiritual destination.