The historical Vivekananda Rock Memorial: Kanyakumari tour

On 10th June 2023, I started my journey towards Kanyakumari beach along with my family, for our destination to Vivekananda Rock that stood out as a profound and transformative experience for us. Since, we took the hotel just beside the Kanyakumari sea beach, it took hardly 10 minutes to reach the jetty via auto and then followed by a walking distance, that took approximately 5 minutes. But before that I like to mention that, we booked "Hotel Sunrock" which is just 10 minutes walkable distance from the Kanyakumari beach and a good hotel with good hotel staffs.

The time was like 1:30 pm, when we were reached the jetty point. Believe me, it was a very hot day with the sun shining brightly over our head, along with the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore. I was just fearing about my father who was already having a cerebral stroke twice 3 years ago, in the sense, that he might not be able to walk, since he has difficulties in walking on his right side. But, hopefully, with the enthusiasm and anticipation of reaching the Vivekananda Rock, had made him more focussed and determined.

As we were on the sea shore, the panaromic view of the iconic Vivekananda Rock in the midst of the meeting point of 3 oceans, the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, thrilled our minds with the thoughts that, Swami Vivekananda have attained enlightment on this particular rock. I was just watching the rock from the sear shore and thinking, how can a human being reach that point (Vivekananda Rock) just by swimming! We generally get to know this unthinkable deed of Swami Vivekananda having attained the enlightment on this particular rock from books, school, and elders, but didn't think that perhaps I shall be reaching that particular rock once upon a time. 

So, without wasting any single moment of time, we moved towards the jetty pick point where about 150-200 persons can be carried at a time per trip. Also, to let you know, the fare price for the jetty is Rs. 50 per person. Before stepping into the jetty boat, you have to take on the life jacket which will be provided to you and this is mandatory. Also I would to like to add one more point is that, if you are carrying your child/baby, do not leave your baby from your laps.

So, it took approximately 10 minutes to reach the Vivekananda Rock via jetty. As, I stepped on the rock, I was having goosebumps with the thoughts that, I am standing on that rock where Swami Vivekananda once meditated. As I said earler, I was carrying my father along with me, who is unable to walk due to his cerebral stroke. But I like to make you sure that there is no worry for people who are unable to walk, because the Vivekananda Rock authorities will arrange wheel chair for such disabled persons. So, likewise they arranged a wheelchair for my father and I carried my father throughout the rock premises with the wheelchair.

As you know that Swami Vivekananda was one of the main disciple of the Indian mystic, Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who was considered as the son of Goddess Kali with his supernatural and spiritual power. Swami Vivekananda was a philosopher, religious teacher, and a monk, who was also believed to have immense spiritual power. Inside the main memorial, you can alse see the date when Swami Vivekananda meditated on this rock. The date is inscribed on the statue of Swami Vivekananda. He meditated on 24th December 1892 for 3 days on this historical Vivekananda rock.

As I was moving forward the Vivekananda rock premises, the sound of the strong rhythmic sound of the waves hitting the rock along with the gentle blow of the wind was soothing my soul. So, as you move upwards along the rock, you will come in the middle of the rock premises where the actual memorial is located. There are several steps to enter the main memorial where the statue of Swami Vivekananda is being seen in meditation pose. But before entering the memorial hall, you must not carry any camera or took any photos inside the hall with your phone, as photography is strictly prohibited inside the memorial hall. Once you enter the hall, you will feel the presense of complete silence with soothing mind.

Just opposite to the main memorial hall, there is another small hall, which also has a significant importance. There is a platform enclosed with iron barricades which is called as "the Shripada Mandapam", which is a sacred footprint, that is believed to be of Goddess Kanyakumari. People gather there and seeks blessings.

One thing I forgot to mention is that, there is facility for having toilets and drinking water also inside the rock premises.Also, as you will be again dropped by the jetty to Kanyakumari jetty point, you have to take off your life jacket and keep those under the Rock authorities.    

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