Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters east off mainland of Vavathurai, India's southernmost tip. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock. According to local legends, it was on this rock that Goddess 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, made by renowned sculptor Shri N L Sonavadekar of Sir J. J. School of Arts, Bombay. The rocks are surrounded by the Laccadive Sea. The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam.

Vivekananda Mandapam

This Mandapam, which is erected in honour of Vivekananda consists of the following sections:

• Dhyana Mandapam is the meditation Hall with six adjacent rooms.
• Sabha Mandapam is the Assembly Hall including Pralima Mandapam (statue section) two rooms, a corridor and an open prakaram(outer courtyard) round the Sabha Mandapam.
• Mukha Mandapam
• Namashtubhyam to the Son of jagadamba

Shripada Mandapam

This square hall consists of the following structures.

• Garbha Graham
• Inner Prakaram
• Outer Prakaram
• Outer Platform

Both the Mandapams are so designed that the vision of Vivekananda in the statue would be seen direct towards the Shripadam. There is also Sri Padaparai Mandapam which is a shrine erected at the spot where the footprint of the Virgin Goddess is seen on the rock.