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 close view of the Pranava Peetham.
Within the Dhyana Mandapam, on its south-western side, is installed a hightly polished altar with the symbol 'aum' mounted on it. This altar or pedestal is named as Pranava Peetham.
This Pranava Peetam has been designed with a view to provide a convenient meditation-object for meditators. The symbol aum is inscribed in a mirror-glass and inset in the lighted rear-wall of the Pranava Peetham.
While the style for 'Pranava Peetham' has been adopted from the Pallava architecture, there is a happy blending of Chola and Pallava styles in the two ornamental pillars erected on both sides in front of the 'Pranava Peetham'.
The flooring of the Dhyana Mandapam is done with highly polished red granite slabs, obtained from a quarry at Vanchinagaram near Madurai about 176 miles away from Kanyakumari.