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 view of the masonry work of the rear portion fo the Sabha Mandapam in progress.
The entire masonry work of the memorial-structure which, ultimately, rose up to over 65 feet in height (the topmost of the Central shikharam) from teh bease of teh memorial-edifice, was executed by resorting to only traditional methods and without using a crane or any other type of sophisticated machinery.
By raising solid platforms fo rubble masonry, adjacent and parallel to the risng masonry of the granite walls of the memorial, and by erecting a massive framework of scaffolding from stups of Palmyra and poles of Casuarina trees, the masonry operaions, involving very caryful handling of big slabs and heavy beams with ornamental designs carved on them, were conducted quite successfully.
For erecting these scaffoldings, stumps of about 900 Palmyra trees andpoles of about 2000 Casuarina trees, besides a considerable quantity of timber-planks and coir ropes were used.