On the seaside is built a large, beautiful memorial dedicated to the Indian philosopher, Swami Vivekananda, who is said to have meditated here before setting out as one of India's most important religious crusaders. There is a Dhyana Mandapam for one to sit in a serene atmosphere and meditate. This memorial is on two rocky islands projecting from the sea about 400 m offshore. The Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda came here in 1892. The memorial has been built on the Vivekananda Rock where the great philosopher - guide Swami Vivekananda went into meditation that transformed him into one of the most charismatic spiritual leaders of this century.On this rock stands the "Vivekananda Rock Memorial" built in 1970 with a blend of all the architechtural styles of India. A statue of Swamy Vivekananda has been installed inside the memorial building.
Two rocks reach out of the ocean, southeast of the Kumari Amman temple. Both these rocks are fine places from where one gets a view of the land's end of India. One of these is Sri Padaparai, where the footprints of the virgin goddess are seen. Swami Vivekananda sat in meditation on this rock before his journey to the West to spread Hinduism in 1892. There is a meditation hall and its polished floors reflect the huge metal statue of Vivekananda. The sacred 'OM' glows in green reflect the huge metal statue of Vivekananda. The sacred 'OM' on the wall. Sri Padaparai (Padam-feet; Parai - rock) Mandapam is a shrine erected at the spot where the footprint of the Goddess is seen. Poompuhar Shipping Corporation operates frequent ferry services from the shore to the rock memorial at regular intervals. The merger of three seas- Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean can be seen from these rocks. While looking at the horizon, one gets a feeling of nature spraying various colors on water. A museum quite close to the temple, by name Wondering Monk gives more details on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Poompuhar Shipping Corporation is operating frequent ferry service to this rock.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a sacred monument and popular tourist attraction in Kanyakumari, India. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters off mainland India's southernmost tip. It was built in 1970 by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee in honour of the visit of the great spiritual teacher Swami Vivekananda to Shripada Parai during the month of December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment. He swam to this rock and meditated about the past, present and future of India. It is said that he attained enlightenment on the rock, and henceforth became a reformer and philosopher.
From very ancient times, the rock has been regarded as a sacred place. The mythical tradition states that it has been known as 'Sripada Parai', meaning the rock that has been blessed by the touch of ‘the sacred feet’ of the Devi Kumari. On the rock is a projection similar in form to a human foot and a little brownish in complexion, which has traditionally been venerated as a symbol of Shripadam. According to legend, it was on this rock that Devi Kumari performed austerity.
A meditation hall (Dhyana Mandapam) is also attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. It houses a statue of Vivekananda. The merger of three seas -Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean can be seen from these rocks.
The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam.
