Source: Kishorerajuphotography

Located offshore around 500 m east of mainland of Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, Vivekanand Rock Memorial is seated on one of the two adjacent rocks projecting out of the Lakshadweep Sea and comprises of two important structures, the ‘Shripada Mandapam’ and the ‘Vivekananda Mandapam’. They are constructed in honour of the great Swami Vivekanand and illustrates various architectures styles of India.

 

Vivekananda Mandapam entrance is designed on the Ajanta and Ellora cave temples’ style.Below the dome in the main hall there is a life-size bronze statue of Swamiji in his standing ‘Parivarjak’ posture.

Adjoining the main hall is the Dhyana Mandapam, where devotees can sit and meditate in a serene atmosphere. Mandapam consists of

(i) Dhyana Mandapam, i.e., Meditation Hall with six adjacent rooms

(ii) Sabha Mandapam or the Assembly Hall

(iii) Mukha Mandapam

(iv) the Front Entrance steps with two rooms and a corridor below the steps.

 

 

Sri Pada Mandapam, the rock on which the Memorial stands has been known as the Sri Pada Parai (means the rock that has been blessed by the feet of the Goddesses). This square hall consists of

(i) Garbha Graham i.e., Sanctum Sanctorum

(ii) the Inner Prakaram

(iii) the Outer Prakaram and

(iv) the Outer Platform all around.