- PM started his meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
- A 19th-century philosopher and author, Swami Vivekananda took India’s spiritual fame to the world at the Parliament of World’s Religions held in Chicago in 1893.
- The rock on which the memorial is built is said to be where Vivekananda attained enlightenment.
- The rock is surrounded by the Laccadive Sea where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea form a confluence.
- In honour of the great monk Vivekananda, the memorial was erected in 1970.
- The memorial showcases an elegant blend of different architectural genres.
- The Sripada Mandapam and Vivekananda Mandapam are two structures to be explored in the memorial.
- There is also a life-sized bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda on the premises.
- Legends also say that it was on this rock that Goddess Kanyakumari prayed to Lord Shiva, thus attaining an important place in India’s religious premises.
- The ‘Devi Padam’, believed to be the footprint left by Bhagavathi Amman (Goddess Kanya Kumari) on the rock as she meditated in devotion to Lord Shiva.
Dig Deeper: Also read about the monument of the Thiruvalluvar located near the Vivekanand Rock Memorial.
