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 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.
