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."
Ground Plan of the Sripad Mandapam and Vivekananada Mandapam
PROMINENT STRUCTURES ON THE ROCK AND THEIR DIMENSIONS AT A GLANCE
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial consists of two main structures, namely, (i) the Vivekananda Mandapam and (ii) the Shripada Mandapam, besides other ancillary structures like water reservoir, power distribution centre, waiting hall, wireless communication centre, caretaker's office, stores, Pradakshina Patha (circular pathway) etc.
1 : VIVEKANANDA MANDAPAM
this Mandapam consists of :
1 : Dhyana Mandapam i.e. a Meditation Hall with adjacent six rooms.
2 : Sabha Mandapam i.e. an Assembly Hall including Pratima Mandampam (statue section), two rooms, a corridor and an open Prakaram round the Sabha Mandapam.
3 : Mukha-Mandapam (Portico) and
4 : the Front Entrance-steps with two rooms and a corridor below the steps.
2 : SHRIPADA MANDAPAM
1 : Garbha Griham (sanctum sanctorum),
2 : the inner Prakaram,
3 : the outer Prakaram and
4 : the outer Platform all around
VIVEKANANDA MANDAPAM
Dimensions 180' - 111' x 56'
Height of Central Shikharam 65'-6'
from the base of the Mandapam
Sabha Mandapam
Dimensions 130' - 11' x 56'
Height of celling 20'x1'
from the floor Height of celling in the 25'
Statue section
Dhyana Mandapam
Dimensions 39' - 10' x 57'x10'
Height of celling 14'
Mukha Mandapam
Dimensions 17'x11'
Height of celling 20'x10'
SPRIPADA MANDAPAM
Dimensions 71' - 10' x 71' - 10'
Height of Celling 9'-3'
Height of the Kalasham 20' - 0'
from the base of the Mandapam
PRADAKSHINA PATHA
Total Length of the 1266'
Pradakshina Patha (Circular Pathway)
The width of teh pathway 10'
HELIPADS
There are two helipads provided on the Rock, one on the north-west and the other on the wouth-west.
Dimensions of the north-westen helipad 95'x45'
Dimensions of the south0western helipad 114'x53'