Kanyakumari is situated at the fag end of the southern coasts of India. During his visit to India, Swami Vivekanand stayed here and meditated for consecutive three days and three nights on a rock which is about 500 meters away from land. I also visited Kanyakumari during my south india tour organised by school.
To reach to the rock motorboats are hired. A motorboat takes about 150 people to the rock in one go. The motorboat takes you to the Sant Tiruvalluar's rock also which is situated nearby the Vivekanand rock. You purchase tickets and wait for your turn. Group tours are given concessions also.
There are Vivekanand Mandapam, Vivekanand Memorial, Kanyakumari Devi temple and many other temples, stalls on the rock. The construction of the memorial was started in 1964 which was completed finally in 1970 by the efforts of Eknath Ranade. There is a "Shreepad Shila" on which there are holy footprints of devi Kanyakumari. On the same rock is "Vivekanand Mandpam". In this mandpam all the pillars are made of granite weighing 13 tonnes. In the center there is a six feet tall statue of swami Vivekanand made of bronze. The most important is "Dhyan Mandapam". It is a dark room in which there is a large enlightened "Om" in front and people meditate here. The whole atmosphere is made spiritual by the chantings of "Om". Sitting here for a few minutes highly energizes you. There are many stalls also where you can purchase a lot of memorable objects and literature related to swami Vivekanand.
A little away from this rock there is another rock where a very large statue of "Sant Tiruvalluvar" is located. Standing at the foot of the statue you can not look up to the head without tilting yourself up to sixty degree. Sant Tiruvalluvar was a great poet and philosopher of tamil. His teachings are still respected by tamilians.
Standing at the rock, looking around the Indian ocean is really a very pleasant experience. The waves of ocean striking to the rock generates a very sweet music. The whole atmosphere is so tempting that you don't want to get back. Windmills at the bank, sailors in search of fishes, ships and gentle breeze decorates the whole scenario excellently.
You must visit Vivekanand Rock at least once to feel the pleasure and to have the blessings of devi Kanyakumari.
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