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| Vivekananda Rock Memorial. K.Kumary, TNstatic-blog.treebo.com |
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| Vivekananda Rock Memorial Kanya Kumar, TN Alamy.com |
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial stands 500 meters offshore from Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, at the southern tip of India. Located on one of two adjacent rocks, it consists of two main structures: the Shripada Mandapam and the Vivekananda Mandapam. This memorial honors Swami Vivekananda, who meditated on the rock for two days in December 1892, achieving enlightenment before his notable participation in the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Swamiji's travel expenses were borne by the Ramanathapuram Raja Sethupathy' dynasty. It is located at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Indian ocean and the Arabian sea. Tourisks flock this place from across India.
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| Vivekananda memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue K.Kumari,TN Alamy.com |
The rock is also considered sacred due to local legends that Goddess Devi Kumari blessed it while performing austerity. The memorial, which merges various Indian architectural styles, is a popular tourist destination accessible only by boat.
Establishment of Vivekananda Rock Memorial: Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Kanyakumari in 1892 inspired the idea of the memorial. To commemorate his birth centenary, the Kanyakumari Committee was formed in January 1962 to create a memorial on the rock. However, local Catholic fishermen opposed the project, leading to conflicts with Hindus, and the rock was eventually marked as a prohibited area. On January 17, 1963, the government permitted a tablet on the rock, recognizing its association with Swami Vivekananda.
Role of Eknath Ramkrishna Ranade: Eknath Ramkrishna Ranade, a social and spiritual reformer deeply influenced by Swami Vivekananda's teachings, was pivotal in establishing the memorial. He formed the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Organising Committee and garnered support nationwide. Despite political opposition from leaders like Humayun Kabir and M. Bhaktavatsalam, Ranade secured approval from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after obtaining signatures from 323 Members of Parliament. The memorial's construction was completed in 1970 with the efforts of around 650 workers and was dedicated to the nation that year.
Architectural Significance: The memorial’s design blends traditional and modern architectural styles, particularly from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
The Memorial Mandapam resembles the Sri Ramakrishna Temple at Belur, while its entrance features styles from Ajanta and Ellora.
A life-size bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda, created by sculptor Sitaram S. Arte, stands in the Parivarjak posture.
The rock, known as Sripada Parai, features a footprint-like projection believed to be from Goddess Devi Kumari, commemorated by the Sri Padaparai Mandapam shrine.
Structures within the Memorial:
Shripada Mandapam: This main sanctum sanctorum, square-shaped and enclosed within an outer platform, includes a Garbha Graham, Inner Prakaram, and Outer Prakaram.
Vivekananda Mandapam:
Built in honor of Swamiji, this structure includes the Dhyana Mandapam (meditation hall),
Mukha Mandapam, and Sabha Mandapam (assembly hall).
The Dhyana Mandapam, designed for meditation in a serene atmosphere, has six adjacent rooms.
The Sabha Mandapam houses the statue of Swamiji, positioned to face the Shripadam.
Vivekananda Kendra:
On January 7, 1972, Ranade founded the Vivekananda Kendra beside the memorial. This spiritual organization, based on Swami Vivekananda's teachings, operates over 600 branch centers and has more than 200 full-time dedicated workers across 18 states in India. The Kendra conducts rural development activities, Yoga classes, and seminars, perpetuating Swami Vivekananda's legacy of spiritual and social reform.
Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivekananda_Rock_Memorial
https://kanyakumaritourism.in/vivekananda-rock-memorial-kanyakumari
https://www.culturalindia.net/monuments/vivekananda-rock.html
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