Towards the end of 1892, after three years of wandering across the length and breadth of India, a young monk found himself at Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of the country. To quell the questions
raging in his mind, he leapt into the sea and swam across shark-infested waters to reach a holy rock in mid-sea—the very last bit of Indian land. Overview of Vivekanand Rock Memorial.
Panoramic view from Vivekananda Rock. Left is statue of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar. "Kanyakumari takes its name from the Kumari Amman or Kanyakumari Temple, situated in the town, on the sea-shore."
The 133 feet (41 m) tall statue of Thiruvalluvar was completed on January 1, 2000 by the legandary Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, Chennai.
Sunrise. On the rock, Swamiji meditated, taking in the whole of India as it were, from that vantage point. At the end of three days and nights, the monk found enlightenment on his life’s mission
to arouse the nation from its dismal slumber of a thousand years of slavery and rediscover its past glory.
Front view, left is Vivekanand Rock and right is Thiruvalluvar statue. This memorial was built due to the untiring efforts of Eknathji Ranade. It opened in 1970.
Vivekanand Rock view. "It is situated at the confluence of the three water-bodies – the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Paravars ruled that Coast and built the temple for their reverence to the Sea Goddess."
Shripada Mandapam in front, with Kanyakumari town in background.
Vivekanand Rock.
Compass - Sun rise calendar at Swami Vivekananda Rock.
Seaside Kanyakumari. Link to site of Vivekanand Rock Memorial Click here
Boat that took us back. To read about Eknath Ranadeji''s story and how funds were collected for this memorial Click here
At Vivekanand Kendra, Kanyakumari. The Kendra runs over 50 schools in Arunachal and Assam. See pics of VKV Tafragaon Click here