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 interior of the Sabha Mandapam before the installation of Swamiji's Statue.
The dimensions of the Mandpam are 130'-11/2' x 56' with its Main Entrance - opening of 11'x8'. It has also two side-entrances of 5'-6' x 10' - 3' each.
All the door-frams are in the blue granite. They are highly polished and are decorated with traditional floral designs carved on them. The whole Mandapam may be said to be more less after the Chola style.
There are four Chitra Kantha Stambhas (ornamental pillars) in the Pratima Mandapam (statue section) and eight Chitra Stambhas in the rest of the Sabha Mandapam, which are all highly polished by hand, using traditional methods.
The floral designs carved on the ornamental columns are partly adopted from Pallava style and are partly original but with a flavour of tradition.
The flooring of the Sabha Mandapam has been done with red granite slabs obtained from quarries near Tuticorin about 96 miles away, and from the outskirts fo Madurai about 176 miles away from Kanyakumari.
The height of the celling or Vitana of the Pratima Mandapam is 25' and of the rest of the Sabha Mandapam is 20'.
The celling consists of covering stones measuring up to a maximum length of 16' in which lotus designs have been provided at suitable places.
Two decorated rooms in the Sabha Mandapam house big portraits of Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansa and the Mother Sharada Devi.