Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Vivekananda Rock


Vivekananda Rock is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southern India. Placed in the midst of the ocean, the Rock is just 400 meters from Kanyakumari. Built in the year 1970, Vivekananda Rock Memorial owes its creation to able supervision of Shri Eknath Ranade. It is believed that one of the greatest spiritual philosophers of India, Swami Vivekananda used to meditate here before embarking on the famous and path breaking religious campaigns in India in 1892. The place can be easily reached from Kanyakumari via ferries and boats.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is not just a spiritual destination for millions of followers of Swami Vivekananda, but it is also a magnificent blend of traditional and contemporary style of Indian architecture. Year 1962 was the birth centenary of Swami Ji and that’s when the idea of making the memorial fist took place. The memorial has a life size statue of Swami Vivekananda. The rock is also known as ‘Sripada Parai’. Considered as a holy rock, the place is routinely frequented by domestic as well as international travelers.

Vivekananda rock memorial is a wonderful place for relaxation and meditation purposes. There are two main structures known as the Shripada Mandapam and the Vivekananda Mandapam. The main sanctum sanctorum is in the Shripada Mandapam whereas the Vivekananda Mandapam has a meditation hall known as Dhyana Mandapam. It is a place for those who want to get away from hustle-bustle of city life. They can come to the memorial, sit, relax and rejuvenate their senses. The perfectly calm and serene atmosphere of the place is truly blissful.