Cosmography and Geography in Early Indian Literature c8.s1.26

c8.s1.26

58. Beyond Bacare there is the Dark Red Mountain (probably the Red Bluffs near Varkkalai), and another district stretching along the coast toward the south, called Paralia (Purali=Travancore; but cf. Ptolemy). The first place is called Balita (probably modern Varkkalai); it has a fine harbour and a village by the shore. Beyond this there is another place called Comari (Kumārī=Comorin), at which are the Cape of Comari and a harbour; hither come those men who wish to consecrate themselves for the rest of their lives, and bathe and dwell in celibacy; and women also do the same; for it is told that a goddess once dwelt here and bathed.