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.

Somnath Temple

Somnath temple is one of the most famous holy pilgrimages of Lord Shiva, located in the state of Gujarat. Every year, thousands of Hindu devotees make a beeline to have a glimpse of the holy Lord. Considered as the one of the twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’, the temple of Somnath has existed since many centuries. In fact, the holy Hindu scripture Rig Veda also mentions the presence and importance of this temple. It was also attacked by foreign invaders on several occasions because of its wealth. The Somnath temple has been destroyed many times by the invaders yet it has always been rebuilt.

There are interesting legends about the construction of Somnath temple. It is believed to have been made by Moon first then demon king Ravana and even by Lord Krishna. One of the rulers of Gujarat, Bhimdev is also believed to have made the Shiva statue in stone. The temple boasts of amazing architecture and finesse. It is a beautiful example of rich architectural heritage of ancient India. The temple has been constructed in Chalukya style. The skilled artisans of Gujarat have really made the carvings intricate and flawless.

Thousands of Hindus visit this temple every year. The beauty of the temple has not vanished despite the onslaught of changing times. It has stood the test of time and devotion of pilgrims. To reach Somnath temple, one can take a flight to Keshod which is the nearest airport to Somnath. The distance between Keshod and Somnath is 47 kilometers. Somnath is also well connected through road and railway.