Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument and popular tourist attraction in Kanyakumari, India’s southernmost tip. Swami Vivekananda did a meditation on that rock for three days for enlightenment. According to legends, it was on this rock that Goddess Kanyakumari (Parvathi) performed tapas in devotion to lord Shiva.
The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. This mandapa consists of the following sections:
- Dhyana Mandapam is the meditation Hall with six adjacent rooms.
- Sabha Mandapam is the Assembly Hall comprising Pratima Mandapam (statue section), two rooms, a corridor, and an open prakaram (outer courtyard) around the Sabha Mandapam.
- Mukha Mandapam
The idea to construct the memorial originated in the 1960s, spearheaded by Eknath Ranade, a prominent social and spiritual leader. The construction of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial commenced in 1962 till 1970.
The renowned architect Eknath Ranade designed the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. The President of India, Dr. V.V. Giri, inaugurated it in 1971.
The RSS established Vivekananda Kendra in 1972. There is also a life-sized bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda on the premises.
Thiruvalluvar Statue is the statue of the greatest Tamil poet, Philosopher, and saint, Thiruvalluvar, commonly known as Valluvar, located on the Island 500 meters adjacent to the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
These two great memorials make this place memorable and the most visited place in Kanyakumari.
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