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 partial view of the quarry near Ambasamudram (Tirunelveli District).
PRELIMINARY LABORATORY TESTS
The memorial-site being situated in mid-sea, the memorial had to be in granite, and that too of requisite quality, to ensure its long durability.
To select proper varieties of stones, specimen-pieces of granite from quarries in the vicinity of Kanyakumari, were sent to laboratory for ascertaining their quality.
Earlier an examination of the inner core of the Vivekananda Rock was also undertaken by drilling a bore of about 60 feet depth on the top tableland of teh Rock, and sending pieces fo teh inner core to laboratories. The tests gave quite satisfactory results.
QUARRIES
After obtaining results fo scientific tests made on specimenpieces of stones sent to laboratory, two main quarries were selected by the Committee for procuring stones required for the memorial structures.
While the bulk of the stone used in the memorial is blue granite procured from a quarry near Ambasamudram (about 72 miles away from Kanyakumari) in the Tirunelveli district, the red granite used for the Shikharams of the Vivekananda Mandapam has been procured from a quarry near Tuticorin about 96 miles away from Kanyakumari.