The Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari is one of the most glorious national monuments of our country. It symbolises the spirit of India, unique and magnificent, a confluence of cultures, religions and societies. It also epitomizes the awakening of a mind, a spirit and a nation. It is a tribute to a visionary who saw that:
“India will be raised, not with the power of the flesh, but with the power of the spirit,... One vision I see clear as life before me, that the ancient Mother has awakened once more, sitting on her throne rejuvenated, more glorious than ever. Proclaim her to all the world with the voice of peace and benediction.”
Swami Vivekananda had swum across the channel of about 450 yards to meditate on this rock. Here, surrounded by the oceans, their vastness, their silence and their sounds, his troubled heart saw the mission of his life before him, the awakening of the Indian masses and the emerging significance of India in the world community. Sri Eknath Ranade gave shape to this embodiment of India's progressive spirit as a singular tribute to Swami Vivekananda. At Kanyakumari, the Monk was transformed into a nation builder who carried the message of India's spiritual consciousness across the world with the historic address at the Parliament of Religions at Chicago on 11.9.1893.
Rising out of the ocean today the Memorial stands at the southern tip of India in memory of this great Indian and his vision. Built by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee, the work on this monument started on 6.11.64 and took about six years to complete. It was consecrated on 2.9.70 by Srimad Swami Visveswarananda, President of the Ramakrishna Math & Mission and inaugurated the same day by the then President of India, Shri V.V. Giri. Financial assistance from the Central Government and from every state and from individuals across the country set up this remarkable Memorial.
The Memorial consists of two Mandapams, facing each other: the Viveknanda Mandapam and the Sripada Mandapam. The former has a Meditation Hall and an Assembly Hall dominated by an imposing statue of Swami Vivekananda. The latter houses the sanctum sanctorum built over the “Sripadam”, the footprint of Kanyakumari, to protect it from weathering. The entire structure is enclosed by the delicate tracery of the Pradakshina Patha (circular path).
The Memorial is not merely a building of stone and mortar, but a throbbing living tribute which continues to provide a dynamic thrust to the Vivekananda Kendra. This organisation has translated Swamiji's message of “Service to Humanity is true worship of God” into action. Today, a Lay order of dedicated and trained life workers, both men and women have been deployed all over the country. They specially serve the poor in the economically backward areas, spreading education, rural development, utilisation of natural resource, health awareness and propogating yoga as a way of life.
The Department of Post today, on the birth anniversary of Swami Viveknanda, issues a commemorative postage stamp on the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The stamp depicts the Memorial; the first day cover is a view of the Sabha Mandapam and the cancellation is a line drawing of the Sripada Mandapam.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India