helipads / temple / architecture / plan / design / map / area / meditation / assembly hall / prayer / songs / philosophy / teachings / ferry service of Vivekananda Memorial
Vivekananda Mandapam with a measurement of 534 ft x 426 ft comprised of a Meditation Hall ( Dhyana Mandapam) with six adjoining rooms where visitors can meditate quietly and an Assembly hall (Sabha Mandapam) containing two rooms along with a corridor. A statue of Swami Vivekananda in a standing position has as well been mounted in the Assembly hall, with its view aimed at the Sripadam. The sanctified Hindu Symbol aum or om is written on top of the main entry of the memorial, in Tamil. The design of the mandapa integrates diverse styles of temple architecture from every parts of India. Wide entry steps lead to the key entrance. The expenditure of construction of the memorial summed up to 1 crore 35 lakhs. The rock on which the memorial rests measures approximately 164 mtrs. x 130 mtrs. at the water level and has a roomy level crest at an elevation of 17 mtrs.
Swamy Vivekanada (1863-1902), the spiritual leader renouncing the world toured extensively as a nomadic monk subsequent to the death of his guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Deb. He arrived Kanyakumari in 1892, went for a dip in the ocean up to the 'Sripada' rock, and used up the whole night there performing meditation. It is supposed that he was on receipt of enlightenment at this juncture which changed him into one of the most captivating spiritual leaders in India and of the century. After that year in 1893, he went to the Parliament of Religions, a most important event in the modern history of Hinduism, held in Chicago, and broadened the Vedantha philosophy and religion in the Westen World. He laid the foundation of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission in 1897. His speeches and writings are obtainable as books.
Poompuhar Shipping Corporation operates regular ferry service to the island from the main land. There are twin helipads on the Rock, on the northwest and south west side. The memorial draws thousands of visitors and offers a fabulous view of the main land and the ocean. The memorial remains open from Wednesday to Monday from 0700 to 1100 in the morning and from 1400 to 1700 in the afternoon. Tuesday is a local holiday. Close by there is a just erected Tiruvalluvar statue, the creator of the philosophical work Tirukkural, an article on the Indian way of life.
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