The history of Kanyakumari Temple can be traced back in many ancient scriptures. In great Hindu epic Mahabharata and Ramayana, Kumari Amman Temple has been mentioned. Even in the Sangam works such as Manimekalai and Purananooru, there is mention of this temple.According to the legend behind the Kanyakumari Temple, demon Banasura had captured all devas and kept them in his cruel captivity. As per the boon he could be killed only by a virgin girl. Hence, upon devas prayers and plead, Goddess Parasakthi took the form of Kumari, the virgin girl so as to kill the demon.With time, Lord Shiva fell in love with Kumari and the arrangements of their celestial wedding were made. Sage Narada, who was aware of the fact that demon Banasura can be killed only if the Goddess remains unmarried, tried to cancel the wedding through many ways. When he couldn’t succeed and the marriage time was fixed for midnight, he devised a plan. On the day when Lord Shiva started his journey for wedding, from Suchindram at Valukkuparai to Kanyakumari, Sage Narada took the form for a cock. He crowed to misleadingly indicate the onset of morning. Lord Shiva, hearing the cock, returned back, thinking that the auspicious time of wedding had passed, while the Goddess was left waiting for him. Later, Goddess decided to remain unmarried.