The Story Of The Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Author - Shri Eknath Ranade

9th Edition - Jun - 2013

Publication - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust

The Story of the Vivekanadna Rock Memorial as told by Shri Eknathji Ranade, the founder of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument and it is a popular tourist attraction in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters east off mainland of Vavathurai, India's southernmost tip. It was built in 1970 by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee in honour of the visit of the Hindu spiritual teacher Swami Vivekananda to Shripada Parai during the month of December 1892.[1] It is claimed that he swam to this rock and meditated. It is said that he attained enlightenment on the rock, and henceforth became a reformer and philosopher. According to legend, it was on this rock that Goddess Kumari performed austerity. A meditation hall (Dhyana Mandapam) is also attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. It houses a statue of Vivekananda. The merger of three seas - Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean can be seen from these rocks. The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam.