At Kanyakumari - a unique symbol of unity and purity - is the Memorial of Swami Vivekananda, another symbol of the united aspiration of Nation. In the Memorial, there is a happy and harmonious blend of all the architectural beauty of the country. It is a symbol of unity because the whole nation wished, worked and contributed for it. Person from all states participated in its inauguration.
"An aggregate or a congregation of men does not make a nation, nor do the geographical area and duration of time qualify a society to be known as a nation. A government formed on such a basis can be called a state, but not a nation. It is common goal or mission that makes a nation. All the constituents strive collectively for something noble. Service with spiritual orientation results in man-making which invariably and inseparably connected with nation building." It is the core of all the thoughts behind Vivekananda Kendra.
Second Phase of Vivekananda Rock Memorial was parallel when Rock Memorial was taking shape. As Eknathji used to say "To put up a Cement and Concrete structure is not the work for which I am born, I am to erect a living and dynamic monument which will be worthy of Swami Vivekananda and which will be capable of bringing into fruition his grand vision of future India."
A 13-ton pillar being set in position.
For further dressing-operations, the pillars were brought from teh quarry, one after another, to our project-workspot at Kanyakumari, by means of a special type of heavy-duty truck. similarly, a special licence had to be obtained from teh Highways Authorities to transport these loads to Kanyakumari and a number of weak culverts on the way to Kanyakumari had to be strengthened, as directed by them, before the loads were actually transported.
Subsequently, after the completion of the final dressing, these granite pieces which, by then, took the form of polished ornamental pillars, each measuring 4'-6' square, with 12 feet height, were taken in barges across the sea, to the foot of teh Vivekananda Rock, and from there, these were hauled up to the site-level, at an altitude of 55 feet, with the help of a winch and a trolley-track. During all these transport-operations, special care had to be taken to protect the floral designs and other intricate carvings on different faces of the columns, by covering the same from all sides by gunny bags as well as jute and coir-paddings.