PM Modi’s visit to Kanniyakumari: A rock memorial has been built to pay tribute to Vivekananda.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake 48 hours of meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
The Prime Minister will begin meditating at Dhyan Mandapam, the same spot where Swami Vivekananda meditated in 1892. The rock monument was built to pay tribute to the Hindu philosopher and saint.
Modi had undertaken a similar spiritual journey in Uttarakhand ahead of the results of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when he was also photographed meditating in a holy cave near Kedarnath.
Why Vivekananda Rock Memorial?
Speaking at the 125th anniversary celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Math in Mylapore, Chennai, PM Modi said his government’s philosophy is inspired by Swami Vivekananda.
“Our governing philosophy is also inspired by Swami Vivekananda. He said that society progresses when privileges are broken and equality is ensured. Today, you can see the same vision in all our flagship programmes. Earlier, even basic facilities were treated like a privilege. Many were denied the fruits of progress. Only a select few or a small group were allowed to access it. But now, the doors of development are open to all,” he said.
“Meditating at the same place demonstrates PM Modi’s determination to actualise Swami Guru’s vision of ‘Bikshit Bharat’. By going to Kanniyakumari, the PM is sending a signal of national unity,” a BJP leader told news agency PTI.
Security measures
Around 2,000 police personnel have been deployed in the area during PM Modi’s stay. The prime minister will be in Kanniyakumari from Thursday evening till June 1. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy have been asked to maintain a tight vigil.
What is Vivekananda Rock Memorial?
Located near the monolithic statue of Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar in the sea off the coast of Kanniyakumari, the rock has been considered a sacred place since ancient times. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee constructed the rock to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s visit to ‘Sripada Parai’ on 24th, 25th and 26th December 1892 for meditation and enlightenment.
